National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.0

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724 - Electrical trades and electrical power line and telecommunications workers

This minor group includes electricians, including industrial and power system electricians; electrical power line and cable workers; telecommunications line and cable workers; telecommunications installation and repair workers; and cable television service and maintenance technicians. They are employed by electrical contractors; maintenance departments of buildings, factories, plants, mines, shipyards and other industrial establishments; electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies and public utility commissions; cable and satellite television companies; and by telephone and other telecommunications services establishments; or they may be self-employed.

7241 - Electricians (except industrial and power system)

Electricians in this unit group lay out, assemble, install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical wiring, fixtures, control devices and related equipment in buildings and other structures. They are employed by electrical contractors and maintenance departments of buildings and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice electrician
    • construction electrician
    • construction electrician apprentice
    • domestic and rural electrician
    • electrician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Electrical mechanics (See 7333 Electrical mechanics)
    • Industrial electricians (See 7242 Industrial electricians)
    • Power system electricians (See 7243 Power system electricians)
    • Supervisors of electricians (See 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations)
  • Main duties

    Electricians in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Read and interpret drawings, circuit diagrams and electrical code specifications to determine wiring layouts for new or existing installations
    • Pull wire through conduits and through holes in walls and floors
    • Install brackets and hangers to support electrical equipment
    • Install, replace and repair lighting fixtures and electrical control and distribution equipment, such as switches, relays and circuit breaker panels
    • Splice, join and connect wire to fixtures and components to form circuits
    • Test continuity of circuits using test equipment to ensure compatibility and safety of system, following installation, replacement or repair
    • Troubleshoot and isolate faults in electrical and electronic systems and remove and replace faulty components
    • Connect electrical power to audio and visual communication equipment, signalling devices and heating and cooling systems
    • Conduct preventive maintenance programs and keep maintenance records.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a four- to five-year apprenticeship program is usually required.
    • Trade certification for construction electricians is compulsory in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • Trade certification for electricians (domestic and rural) is compulsory in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario.
    • Trade certification for electrical control (machine) builders is available, but voluntary, in Ontario.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified construction electricians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

7242 - Industrial electricians

Industrial electricians install, maintain, test, troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical and electronic controls. They are employed by electrical contractors and maintenance departments of factories, plants, mines, shipyards and other industrial establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • industrial electrician
    • industrial electrician apprentice
    • marine electrician
    • mill electrician
    • mine electrician
    • plant electrician
    • plant maintenance electrician
    • shipyard electrician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Construction electricians (See 7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system))
    • Power system electricians (See 7243 Power system electricians)
    • Supervisors of industrial electricians (See 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations)
  • Main duties

    Industrial electricians perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Read and interpret drawings, blueprints, schematics and electrical code specifications to determine layout of industrial electrical equipment installations
    • Install, examine, replace or repair electrical wiring, receptacles, switch boxes, conduits, feeders, fibre-optic and coaxial cable assemblies, lighting fixtures and other electrical components
    • Test electrical and electronic equipment and components for continuity, current, voltage and resistance
    • Maintain, repair, install and test switchgear, transformers, switchboard meters, regulators and reactors
    • Maintain, repair, test and install electrical motors, generators, alternators, industrial storage batteries and hydraulic and pneumatic electrical control systems
    • Troubleshoot, maintain and repair industrial, electrical and electronic control systems and other related devices
    • Conduct preventive maintenance programs and keep maintenance records
    • May install, maintain and calibrate industrial instrumentation and related devices.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a four- or five-year industrial electrician apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in industrial electrical equipment is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for industrial electricians is compulsory in Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Manitoba and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia and the Yukon.
    • Additional construction electrician certification may be required for industrial electricians when the employers are not owners of the industrial electrical equipment.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified industrial electricians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

7243 - Power system electricians

Power system electricians install, maintain, test and repair electrical power generation, transmission and distribution system equipment and apparatus. They are employed by electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice power system electrician
    • power electrician
    • power station electrician
    • power system electrician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Electrical mechanics (See 7333 Electrical mechanics)
    • Electrical power line and cable workers (See 7244 Electrical power line and cable workers)
    • Electricians (except industrial and power system) (See 7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system))
    • Industrial electricians (See 7242 Industrial electricians)
    • Supervisors of power system electricians (See 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations)
  • Main duties

    Power system electricians perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Install and maintain electrical power distribution equipment such as transformers, generators, voltage regulators, switches, circuit breakers, capacitors, inductors, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems
    • Install and maintain electrical equipment and apparatus in generating stations or powerhouses
    • Inspect and test installed electrical equipment and apparatus to locate electrical faults and check their operation, using volt meters, ammeters and other electrical test instruments and equipment
    • Repair or replace faulty electrical equipment and apparatus
    • Complete test and maintenance reports.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program for power system electricians
      or
      A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required.
    • Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Manitoba, Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

7244 - Electrical power line and cable workers

Electrical power line and cable workers construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems. They are employed by electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies, electrical contractors and public utility commissions.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice lineman/woman - electric power systems
    • cable installer - electrical power
    • cable splicer - electrical power
    • construction lineman/woman - electrical power line
    • power line patroller
    • power lineman/woman
    • powerline technician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Other linemen/women and cable installers (See 7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers)
    • Power system electricians (See 7243 Power system electricians)
    • Supervisors of electrical power line and cable workers (See 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations)
  • Main duties

    Electrical power line and cable workers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems including overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, transformers and other associated equipment
    • Erect and maintain steel, wood or concrete poles, towers and guy wires
    • Splice, solder and insulate conductors and related wiring to connect power distribution and transmission networks using splicing tools, related electrical equipment and tools
    • Inspect and test overhead and underground power lines and cables and auxiliary equipment using electrical test equipment
    • Climb ladders or operate hydraulic buckets when working aloft on poles and towers, or work in confined spaces such as trenches and tunnels to install power lines and cables and associated equipment
    • Install and maintain street lighting systems
    • Communicate with other workers to co-ordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a provincial three- or four-year lineman/woman apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required for electrical power line and cable workers.
    • Trade certification for powerline technicians is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • Trade certification for powerline technicians (construction) is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
    • Trade certification for distribution construction linemen/women is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified powerline technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

7245 - Telecommunications line and cable workers

Telecommunications line and cable workers install, repair and maintain telecommunication lines and cables. They are employed by cable television companies and by telephone and other telecommunications services.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice lineman/woman - telecommunications
    • communication technician - construction
    • construction technician - cable television
    • splicer technician - telephone
    • telecommunication cable repairer
    • telecommunications line installer
    • telecommunications lineman/woman
    • telephone line technician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Cable television service and maintenance technicians (See 7247 Cable television service and maintenance technicians)
    • Electrical power line and cable workers (See 7244 Electrical power line and cable workers)
    • Supervisors of telecommunications line and cable workers (See 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations)
    • Telecommunications installation and repair workers (See 7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers)
  • Main duties

    Telecommunications line and cable workers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Install, remove, maintain and repair aerial and underground telephone and other telecommunication transmission and distribution lines, cables and associated hardware
    • Install (but do not repair or maintain) cable television lines and cables
    • Splice and repair various types and sizes of telephone and other telecommunication cables including single line, coaxial and fibre optic
    • Inspect and test telecommunication transmission lines and cables for transmission characteristics and to locate faults
    • Analyze and record test results
    • Climb and work aloft on poles, ladders or other support structures or work in confined spaces such as trenches, tunnels and crawl spaces
    • Communicate with other workers to co-ordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments
    • Assist in the erection and removal of telecommunication poles, towers and associated support structures
    • May operate excavation machinery and other heavy equipment.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • Completion of a four-year telecommunications line and cable apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of over three years work experience in the trade and some industry- related or other specialized courses
      or
      Completion of a two-year college program in electronics is usually required.
    • Trade certification for network cabling specialists is available, but voluntary, in Ontario.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

7246 - Telecommunications installation and repair workers

Telecommunications installation and repair workers install, test, maintain and repair telephones, telephone switching equipment and telecommunications equipment related to transmission and processing of voice, video signals and other data over a variety of media including fibre optics, microwave, radio and satellite. They are employed by telephone and other telecommunications transmission services establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice communication electrician - switching
    • cellular telephone technician
    • exchange tester - telecommunications
    • mobile radio installer
    • private branch exchange (PBX) installer
    • switch network installer and repairer
    • telecommunications equipment technician
    • telephone communication technician
    • telephone installer
    • telephone line and station installer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) (See 2242 Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment))
    • Supervisors of telecommunication installation and repair workers (See 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations)
    • Telecommunications line and cable workers (See 7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers)
  • Main duties

    Telephone installers and repairers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Install, arrange, remove and maintain telephone equipment, wiring and associated hardware
    • Test installed telephone systems to locate transmission faults
    • Repair or replace defective and damaged telephones, wire and associated equipment.

    Switch network installers and repairers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Install electromechanical, analog and digital trunking systems, circuits and equipment in telecommunications central offices and switching centres
    • Inspect and test trunking systems, circuits and equipment
    • Analyze test results and adjust, change or repair switching system, network, associated equipment and software.

    Telecommunications service testers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate computerized testing systems to conduct service tests on customer lines and equipment
    • Determine the nature, cause and location of service trouble
    • Dispatch appropriate repair personnel
    • Complete test reports and maintain test and service records
    • May assist repair personnel to test lines, circuits and systems, isolate and clear cable faults and verify records.

    Telecommunications equipment technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Install, remove and maintain various telecommunications equipment and related systems such as telex and facsimile machines, teletypewriters, mobile radios, cellular telephones, pagers and other telecommunications equipment
    • Configure operating systems and install software for access to the Internet
    • Inspect and test operation of telecommunications equipment
    • Diagnose and locate equipment faults, and adjust, replace or repair telecommunications equipment.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • Telephone and switch network installers and repairers require completion of an apprenticeship program ranging from three to four years
      or
      A combination of over three years work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry related courses.
    • Telecommunications equipment technicians usually require completion of a college electrical and electronics program and several months of on-the-job training
      or
      Completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship training program.
    • Trade certification for communication technicians is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • Experience as an installer and repairer (telephone and switch network) is usually required for service testers.

7247 - Cable television service and maintenance technicians

Cable television service technicians install, maintain and repair cable and satellite television and Internet signal and associated equipment in homes and commercial buildings. Cable television maintenance technicians maintain and repair cable television transmission and distribution systems and associated hardware. They are employed by cable and satellite television companies.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • cable television installation technician
    • cable television installer
    • cable television maintenance technician
    • cablevision servicer
    • CATV technician
    • direct broadcast satellite (DBS) technician - cable television

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Supervisors of cable television service and maintenance technicians (See 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations)
    • Workers who install aerial or underground cable television lines (See 7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers)
  • Main duties

    Cable television service technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Communicate with subscribers and company personnel to determine work assignments
    • Connect, disconnect and relocate cable outlets, install splitters, converters, decoders, terminals, digital boxes, satellite and pay TV equipment, and install other cable hardware and systems at subscriber's premises
    • Install cable modems, routers and software to enable Internet access at subscriber's premises
    • Inspect, test and repair cable and satellite television signals and associated equipment at subscriber's premises.

    Cable television maintenance technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Maintain and repair main aerial and underground coaxial and fibre optic cable television transmission lines, trunking and related distribution and interconnecting systems including power supplies and amplifiers
    • Inspect, monitor, test and adjust cable transmission and distribution systems
    • Repair or replace faulty cables, power supplies, amplifiers and other associated transmission and distribution equipment
    • Climb and work aloft on poles, ladders or other support structures
    • Communicate with other workers to co-ordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • Completion of a college program in electronics
      or
      A combination of college, correspondence or industry courses related to electronics and electrical systems and on-the-job training
      or
      Completion of a four-year cable television technician apprenticeship program is required.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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