National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
2 - Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
This broad category comprises occupations in natural sciences (including basic and applied sciences and experimental development), engineering, architecture and information technology. These occupations cover specialized middle management occupations in engineering, architecture, science and information systems; professional occupations in natural sciences (basic and applied sciences and experimental development); and technical occupations related to natural sciences (including basic and applied sciences and experimental development).
22 - Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences
This major group comprises technical occupations related to natural sciences; technical occupations related to applied sciences and engineering. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 2. Occupations classified in TEER 2, as those included in this group with a 2 as the second digit of their code, typically require completion of a post-secondary education program of two to three years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or completion of an apprenticeship training program of two to five years; or supervisory or significant safety responsibilities; or the accumulation of several years of experience in a related occupation found in TEER 3, when applicable (TEER 3 includes occupations with a 3 as a second digit in their code).
222 - Technical occupations related to applied sciences (except engineering)
This sub-major group comprises technical occupations related to applied sciences other than engineering, including technical occupations in architecture, drafting, surveying, geomatics and meteorology; technical occupations in computer and information systems; and technical inspectors and regulatory officers.
2222 - Technical occupations in computer and information systems
This minor group comprises technical occupations in computer and information systems, including computer network and web technicians; user support technicians; and information systems testing technicians. They are employed by computer hardware manufacturers; retailers; software developers; independent technical support companies; and in call centres and information technology units throughout the public and private sectors; or they may be self-employed.
22220 - Computer network and web technicians
Computer network technicians establish, operate, maintain and coordinate the use of local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs), mainframe networks, hardware, software and related computer equipment. Web technicians set up and maintain internet, extranet 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 public and private sectors. Computer network technicians who are supervisors are included in this group.
Illustrative example(s)
- computer network technician
- data centre operator
- Internet Web site technician
- local area network (LAN) administrator
- local area network (LAN) technician
- network administrator
- network support technician
- network system administrator
- Web technician
Exclusion(s)
- Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (See 10022 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
- Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
- Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 Information systems testing technicians)
- User support technicians (See 22221 User support technicians)
- Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Computer and network operators
- 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 coordinate access and use of computer networks
- Provide problem-solving services to network users
- 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
- Perform shell scripting or other basic scripting tasks
- May supervise other workers in this group.
Web technicians
- Install, maintain, troubleshoot and upgrade Web-server hardware and software
- Implement network traffic and security monitoring software, and optimize server performance
- Control and monitor e-mail use, Web navigation, and installed software
- Respond to requests for help and information from Web site visitors and Web site designers.
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.
22221 - 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. They 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
- technical support supervisor
- user support technician
Exclusion(s)
- Computer network and web technicians (See 22220 Computer network and web technicians)
- Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
- Cybersecurity specialists (See 21220 Cybersecurity specialists)
- Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 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.
22222 - 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 coordinator
- software tester
- software testing technician
- systems tester
- systems testing technician
- user acceptance tester
Exclusion(s)
- Business systems specialists (See 21221 Business systems specialists)
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
- Computer network and web technicians (See 22220 Computer network and web technicians)
- Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
- Cybersecurity specialists (See 21220 Cybersecurity specialists)
- Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
- Software developers and programmers (See 21232 Software developers and programmers)
- Software engineers and designers (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
- User support technicians (See 22221 User support technicians)
- Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
- Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)
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, video game 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.
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