National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.0

A

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

9 - Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

This category contains supervisory, production and labouring occupations in manufacturing, processing and utilities.

Occupations in this category are characterized by either technical training or internal progression, and on-the-job training. Process control occupations in this category are increasingly technical and post-secondary training is usually required. For many occupations in this category, workers typically start out as labourers and progress to machine operation occupations through experience. Progression to supervisory positions requires experience in the occupations supervised. Mobility in some of these occupations may be limited by seniority provisions of collective agreements, or may require additional training.

92 - Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators

This major group comprises supervisors and central control operator occupations in processing, manufacturing and utilities which usually require completion of secondary school and several years of experience, and may require a college diploma, some postsecondary education, a licence or certification. This major group includes processing and manufacturing supervisors; assembly and fabrication supervisors; central control and process operators in processing and manufacturing; and utilities equipment operators and controllers.

924 - Utilities equipment operators and controllers

This minor group includes power engineers and power systems operators; and water and waste treatment plant operators. They are employed by power generation plants, electrical power utilities, manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities and government and commercial establishments; and municipal governments, industrial facilities, composting plants and other waste management facilities.

9241 - Power engineers and power systems operators

Power engineers operate and maintain reactors, turbines, boilers, generators, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment to generate electrical power and to provide heat, light, refrigeration and other utility services for commercial, institutional and industrial plants and facilities. Power systems operators monitor and operate switchboards and related equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution of electrical power in transmission networks. They are employed by power generation plants, electrical power utilities, manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities and government and commercial establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice power dispatcher
    • auxiliary plant operator
    • building systems technician
    • control room operator - electrical power systems
    • distribution control operator - electrical power systems
    • electrical power systems operator
    • energy from waste plant operator
    • nuclear generating station field operator
    • nuclear reactor operator
    • nuclear reactor operator - electrical power systems
    • power dispatcher - generating station
    • power engineer
    • power plant operator
    • power plant stationary engineer
    • stationary engineer
    • system controller - electrical power systems

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Nuclear power station equipment mechanics (See 7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics)
    • Professional engineers (213-Civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers, or 214-Other engineers)
    • Supervisors of power engineers and power systems operators (See 9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities)
  • Main duties

    Power engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate automated or computerized control systems, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment such as reactors, boilers, turbines, generators, pumps, compressors, pollution control devices and other equipment to generate electrical power and to provide light, heat, ventilation and refrigeration for buildings and industrial plants and facilities
    • Start up and shut down power plant equipment, control switching operations, control water levels and communicate with systems operators to regulate and co-ordinate transmission loads, frequency and line voltages
    • Monitor and inspect plant equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, meters and other instruments to measure temperature, pressure, air and fuel flow and emissions to detect leaks or other equipment malfunctions and to ensure plant equipment is operating at maximum efficiency
    • Analyze and record instrument readings and equipment malfunctions
    • Troubleshoot and perform corrective action and minor repairs to prevent equipment or system failure
    • Respond to emergency situations if required
    • Clean and lubricate generators, turbines, pumps and compressors and perform other routine equipment maintenance duties using appropriate lubricants and hand, power and precision tools
    • Maintain a daily log of operation, maintenance and safety activities, and write reports on plant operation and non-compliance
    • May assist in the development of operation, maintenance and safety procedures.

    Power systems operators perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate and monitor computerized switchboards and auxiliary equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution and to regulate the flow of electrical power in the transmission network
    • Co-ordinate, schedule and direct generating station and substation power loads and line voltages to meet distribution demands during daily operations, system outages, repairs and importing or exporting of power
    • Monitor and visually inspect station instruments, meters and alarms to ensure transmission voltages and line loadings are within prescribed limits and to detect equipment failure, line disturbances and outages
    • Issue work and test permits to electrical and mechanical maintenance personnel, assist maintenance and technical personnel to locate and isolate system problems, and assist during routine system testing
    • Complete and maintain station records, logs and reports.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Power engineers require a college training program in power engineering and several years of work experience.
    • Power engineers require a provincial or territorial power engineering certificate according to class.
    • Stationary engineer trade certification according to class is compulsory in Nova Scotia and Quebec and available, but voluntary in New Brunswick.
    • Power systems operators require completion of a three- to five-year power system operator apprenticeship program
      or
      Over three years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in electrical and electronic technology.
    • Trade certification is available, but voluntary for power systems operators in Newfoundland and Labrador.
    • Control room operators at nuclear power plants require licensing from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
  • Additional information

    • There is little mobility between nuclear power generation station operators and other classic or alternative power generation station operators.
    • Progression from lower to higher classes for power or stationary engineers is dependent on further training and experience.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
9243 - Water and waste treatment plant operators

Water treatment plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water. Liquid waste plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes. They are employed by municipal governments and industrial facilities. This unit group also includes waste treatment plant operators in composting plants and other waste management facilities.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • environmental systems operator - water treatment
    • liquid waste process operator
    • sewage plant operator
    • waste treatment plant operator
    • wastewater treatment plant operator
    • water filtration plant operator
    • water purification plant operator
    • water treatment plant operator

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Chemical engineers (See 2134 Chemical engineers)
    • Chemical technologists and technicians (See 2211 Chemical technologists and technicians)
    • Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities (See 9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities)
    • Water and waste plant labourers (See 9613 Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities)
    • Waterworks and gas maintenance workers (See 7442 Waterworks and gas maintenance workers)
  • Main duties

    Water treatment plant operators perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water
    • Monitor and inspect plant equipment and systems to detect equipment malfunctions and to ensure plant systems are operating normally
    • Read flow meters, gauges and other recording instruments to measure water output and consumption levels, bacterial content, chlorine and fluoride levels
    • Collect and test water samples for chemical and bacterial content, analyze test results and instrument readings and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems to ensure quality control
    • Provide verbal or written instructions for process control changes to waterworks system to ensure water produced meets standardized quality requirements
    • Perform security checks in plant and on grounds
    • Respond to public enquiries regarding water quality issues and emergencies
    • Complete and maintain plant logs, reports and statistics
    • May perform minor maintenance or assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery
    • May measure, mix and transport chemicals to maintain feed stocks.

    Liquid waste plant operators perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater treatment, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the flow of sewage through settling, aeration and digestion tanks, and to treat and dispose of sewage and wastes
    • Patrol plant to check pumps, motors, filters, chlorinators and other plant equipment; monitor and read gauges, meters and other recording instruments to detect equipment malfunctions and ensure plant systems and equipment are operating within prescribed limits
    • Test and adjust chemical feed rates to ensure that disinfection processes meet quality standards
    • Collect waste and sewage samples, test and analyze results and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems as required
    • Perform security checks in plant and on grounds
    • Complete and maintain plant logs and reports
    • Perform preventive maintenance on plant equipment to ensure that the facility operates in accordance with required standards
    • May assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • College or industry training courses in chemistry, pollution control or related subjects are usually required.
    • Certification in water treatment and distribution (level according to the classification of the plant) is required for water treatment plant operators.
    • Drinking water certification is required in Quebec and Ontario for operators whose work involves water treatment and distribution.
    • Certification in wastewater collection and wastewater treatment (level according to the classification of the plant) is required for wastewater treatment plant operators.
    • Solid waste, landfill or compost facility operator certification may be required for operators in waste treatment plants.
    • Certification in workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), and courses in safety practices may be required.
    • On-the-job training is provided.
    • Previous experience as a worker in the water treatment or wastewater field may be required.
  • Additional information

    • There is limited mobility between water treatment plant and waste plant operators.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Report a problem on this page

Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?

Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Privacy notice

Date modified: