National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3

A

Statistics Canada's Trust Centre: Learn how Statistics Canada keeps your data safe and protects your privacy.

National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3
Introduction
Hierarchical structure

2 - Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

This category includes occupations in sciences, engineering, architecture and information technology.

These occupations require post-secondary education in an appropriate scientific or technical discipline. Progression from technical to professional occupations usually requires additional education.

22 - Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences

This major group comprises technical occupations in natural and applied sciences. It includes technologists and technicians working in the fields of physical science, life science, engineering, architecture, urban planning, land surveying, mathematics, statistics, and actuarial science; and as computer and information systems technicians.

228 - Technical occupations in computer and information systems

This minor group includes technicians and technologists working in computer networking, user support, and information systems testing. They are employed by computer hardware manufacturers; retailers; software developers; independent technical support companies; and in call centres and information technology units throughout the private and public sectors; or they may be self-employed.

2281 - Computer network technicians

Computer network technicians establish, operate, maintain and co-ordinate the use of local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs), mainframe networks, hardware, software and related computer equipment. They set up and maintain Internet and intranet Web sites and Web-server hardware and software, and monitor and optimize network connectivity and performance. They are employed in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors. Supervisors of computer network technicians are included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • computer network technician
    • computer network technicians' supervisor
    • data centre operator
    • Internet Web site technician
    • local area network (LAN) administrator
    • local area network (LAN) technician
    • network administrator
    • network support technician
    • system administrator
    • Web technician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (See 0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)
    • Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (See 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
    • Computer programmers and interactive media developers (See 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers)
    • Information systems testing technicians (See 2283 Information systems testing technicians)
    • User support technicians (See 2282 User support technicians)
    • Web designers and developers (See 2175 Web designers and developers)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Maintain, troubleshoot, repair and administer local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), mainframe networks, computer workstations, connections to the Internet and peripheral equipment
    • Evaluate and install computer hardware, networking software, operating system software and software applications
    • Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to co-ordinate access and use of computer networks
    • Provide problem-solving services to network users
    • Install, maintain, troubleshoot and upgrade Web-server hardware and software
    • Implement network traffic and security monitoring software, and optimize server performance
    • Perform routine network start up and close down and maintain control records
    • Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations
    • Conduct tests and perform security and quality controls
    • Control and monitor e-mail use, Web navigation, and installed software
    • Perform shell scripting or other basic scripting tasks
    • May supervise other workers in this group.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a college or other program in computer science, network administration, Web technology or a related field is usually required.
    • Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required in Saskatchewan.

  • Additional information

    • Progression to computer programming, interactive media development, Web development or systems analysis is possible with experience.
2282 - User support technicians

User support technicians provide first-line technical support to computer users experiencing difficulties with computer hardware and with computer applications and communications software. They are employed by computer hardware manufacturers and retailers, software developers, in call centres and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors. Technicians are also employed by independent technical support companies or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • call centre agent - technical support
    • client support representative - systems
    • computer help desk representative - systems
    • computer help desk supervisor
    • hardware installation technician
    • hardware technical support analyst
    • help desk technician
    • software installation technician
    • software technical support analyst
    • systems support representative
    • technical support analyst - systems
    • technical support supervisor
    • user support technician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Computer network technicians (See 2281 Computer network technicians)
    • Computer programmers and interactive media developers (See 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers)
    • Information systems analysts and consultants (See 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants)
    • Information systems testing technicians (See 2283 Information systems testing technicians)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Communicate electronically and in person with computer users experiencing difficulties to determine and document problems experienced
    • Consult user guides, technical manuals and other documents to research and implement solutions
    • Reproduce, diagnose and resolve technical problems encountered by users
    • Provide advice and training to users in response to identified difficulties
    • Provide business systems, network and Internet support to users in response to identified difficulties
    • Collect, organize and maintain a problems and solutions log for use by other technical support analysts
    • Participate in the redesign of applications and other software
    • May supervise other technical support workers in this group.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a college program in computer science, computer programming or network administration is usually required.
    • College or other courses in computer programming or network administration are usually required.
    • Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.

  • Additional information

    • Progression to computer programming, interactive media development, Web development or systems analysis is possible with experience.
2283 - Information systems testing technicians

Information systems testing technicians execute test plans to evaluate the performance of software applications and information and telecommunications systems. They are employed in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • application tester
    • application testing technician
    • software test co-ordinator
    • software tester
    • software testing technician
    • systems tester
    • systems testing technician
    • user acceptance tester

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (See 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
    • Computer network technicians (See 2281 Computer network technicians)
    • Computer programmers and interactive media developers (See 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers)
    • Information systems analysts and consultants (See 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants)
    • Software engineers and designers (See 2173 Software engineers and designers)
    • User support technicians (See 2282 User support technicians)
    • Web designers and developers (See 2175 Web designers and developers)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Develop and document software testing plans
    • Install software and hardware and configure operating system software in preparation for testing
    • Execute, analyze and document results of software application tests and information and telecommunication systems tests
    • Develop and implement software and information system testing policies, procedures and scripts
    • Identify, report, track and propose solutions to product defects.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a college program in computer science, computer programming or network administration is usually required.
    • College or other courses in computer programming or network administration are usually required.
    • Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.

  • Additional information

    • Progression to computer programming, interactive media development, Web development or systems analysis is possible with experience.
Date modified: