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2282.0 – User support technicians
Technicians in this group provide first-line technical support to computer users experiencing difficulties with computer hardware and with computer applications and communications software.
Profile
Example titles Help
- 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
Main characteristics Help
- General learning ability to understand the functioning of computer hardware and software and to provide technical support to computer users experiencing hardware and software difficulties
- Verbal ability to communicate electronically and in person with computer users experiencing technical difficulties, and to determine and document problems
- Numerical ability and Spatial perception and Form perception to understand, investigate and resolve hardware and software problems
- Methodical interest in compiling information from user guides, technical manuals and other documents to research and implement solutions; and in collecting, organizing and maintaining problems and solution logs for use by other technical support analysts
- Social interest in assisting computer users by assessing and responding to their technical difficulties; may supervise other technical support workers
- Objective interest in precision working to provide first-line technical support and advice to computer users
Aptitudes Help
One of five levels assigned for each factor, with levels representing normal curve distribution of the labour force:
- G
- General learning ability
- V
- Verbal ability
- N
- Numerical ability
- S
- Spatial perception
- P
- Form perception
- Q
- Clerical perception
- K
- Motor co-ordination
- F
- Finger dexterity
- M
- Manual dexterity

- The highest 10% of the working population
- Upper third, exclusive of the highest 10%
- Middle third of the working population
- Lowest third, exclusive of the lowest 10%
- Lowest 10% of the working population
An individual's overall capacity to learn the skills needed to perform job duties is based on his or her specific aptitudes for acquiring information and transforming it into action.
General learning ability G-2
Ability to 'catch on' or understand instructions and underlying principles; to reason and make judgments.
Verbal ability V-2
Ability to understand the meaning of words and the ideas associated with them, and to use them effectively; to comprehend language, to understand relationships between words and to understand the meaning of whole sentences and paragraphs; to present information or ideas clearly.
Numerical ability N-3
Ability to carry out arithmetical processes quickly and accurately.
Spatial perception S-3
Ability to think visually about geometric forms and comprehend the two dimensional representation of three dimensional objects; to recognize the relationships resulting from the movement of objects in space. May be used in such tasks as blueprint reading and in solving geometry problems. Frequently described as the ability to 'visualize' objects of two or three dimensions.
Form perception P-3
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in objects and in pictorial and graphic material; to make visual comparisons and discriminations and to see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines.
Clerical perception Q-3
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal or tabular material; to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetical computation.
Motor co-ordination K-4
Ability to co-ordinate eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately when required to respond with precise movements.
Finger dexterity F-4
Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly and/or accurately.
Manual dexterity M-4
Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully; to work with the hands in placing and turning motions.
Interests Help
Three of five descriptive factors, assigned in order of predominance and lower case rating indicating weaker representation:
- D
- Directive
- I
- Innovative
- M
- Methodical
- O
- Objective
- S
- Social
Methodical M
Methodical persons like to have clear rules and organized methods to guide their activities. They prefer working under the direction or supervision of others according to given instructions, or to be guided by established policies and procedures. Methodical persons like to work on one thing until it is completed. They enjoy following a set routine and prefer work that is free from the unexpected.
Social S
Social persons like dealing with people. They enjoy caring for and assisting others in identifying their needs and solving their concerns. Social persons like working and co-operating with others. They prefer to be involved in work that requires interpersonal contact.
Objective o
Objective persons enjoy working with tools, equipment, instruments and machinery. They like to repair and/or fabricate things from various materials according to specifications and using established techniques. Objective persons are interested in finding out how things operate and how they are built.
Data, people, and things Help
Data
- 0
- Synthesizing
- 1
- Co-ordinating
- 2
- Analyzing
- 3
- Compiling
- 4
- Computing
- 5
- Copying
- 6
- Comparing
- 7
- N/A
- 8
- Not Significant
People
- 0
- Mentoring
- 1
- Negotiating
- 2
- Instructing - Consulting
- 3
- Supervising
- 4
- Diverting
- 5
- Persuading
- 6
- Speaking - Signaling
- 7
- Serving - Assisting
- 8
- Not significant
Things
- 0
- Setting up
- 1
- Precision working
- 2
- Controlling
- 3
- Driving - Operating
- 4
- Operating - Manipulating
- 5
- Tending
- 6
- Feeding - Offbearing
- 7
- Handling
- 8
- Not significant
Data Compiling 3
Accumulating information usually recorded physically but which may be stored mentally; gathering, collating and classifying information about data, people and things; frequently reporting and/or carrying out a prescribed action in relation to the information.
People Assisting 7
Attending to the needs and requests of people or animals or the expressed and implicit wishes of people; helping and supporting other workers in the performance of tasks.
Things Precision working 1
Using the body and/or equipment to move, guide, place, install and/or interface with objects, in order to attain specifications and precise standards. Considerable judgment is required to select, adjust and utilize appropriate tools, products and/or materials to accomplish specified objectives.
Physical activities Help
V - Vision
- 1
- Close visual acuity
- 2
- Near vision
- 3
- Near and far vision
- 4
- Total visual field
H - Hearing
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Verbal interaction
- 3
- Other sound discrimination
L - Limb co-ordination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Upper limb co-ordination
- 2
- Multiple limb co-ordination
C - Colour discrimination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Relevant
B - Body position
- 1
- Sitting
- 2
- Standing and/or walking
- 3
- Sitting, standing, walking
- 4
- Other body positions
S - Strength
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Light
- 3
- Medium
- 4
- Heavy
Vision Vision V-2
The use of sight in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the visual field involved in the performance of the work.
2 - Near vision
Work activities are performed near the worker. The scope of the visual field is broader than in Close visual acuity (1).
Examples:
- reading and interpreting drawings and specifications
- using computer keyboards and reading computer monitors
- repairing automobile engines
- setting up and operating machine tools
Colour discrimination Colour discrimination C-1
The use of colour descrimination to identify, distinguish and match colours and different shades of the same colours.
1 - Relevant
Colour discrimination is relevant in the performance of the work.
Examples:
- observing signals while operating vehicles
- installing, testing and repairing electrical wiring
- restoring and conserving museum and art gallery artifacts
- designing, constructing and repairing dentures
Hearing Hearing H-2
The use of hearing in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the type of auditory discrimination involved in the performance of the work.
2 - Verbal interaction
Work activities involve communication with colleagues, clients and/or the public on a regular basis.
Examples:
- operating directory listing systems to provide directory assistance to customers
- resolving work problems and recommending measures to improve productivity
- consulting with families of the deceased regarding funeral services
- analyzing and providing advice on managerial methods and organization of establishments
Body position Body position B-1
Primary type of posture or body movement involved in performing the work. These postures or body movements range from simple to complex and from sedentary to mobile.
1 - Sitting
Work activities primarily involve sitting. Standing and/or walking (2) may occur but is incidental to the work being performed.
Examples:
- reading and editing copy to be published or broadcast
- preparing financial statements
- issuing aircraft take-off and landing instructions to pilot
- interviewing clients
Limb co-ordination Limb co-ordination L-1
The use of limbs in performing work.
1 - Upper limb co-ordination
Work activities involve co-ordination of upper limbs.
Examples:
- keyboarding
- performing maintenance services such as oil changes, lubrications and tune-ups
- operating video cameras
- instructing students in sign language
Strength Strength S-1
The use of strength in the handling of loads such as pulling, pushing, lifting and/or moving objects during the work performed.
1 - Limited
Work activities involve handling loads up to 5 kg.
Examples:
- examining and analyzing financial information
- selling insurance to clients
- conducting economic and technical feasibility studies
- administering and marking written tests
Environmental conditions Help
Location
- L1
- Regulated inside climate
- L2
- Unregulated inside climate
- L3
- Outside
- L4
- In a vehicle or cab
Hazards
- H1
- Dangerous chemical substances
- H2
- Biological agents
- H3
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- H4
- Electricity
- H5
- Radiation
- H6
- Flying particles, falling objects
- H7
- Fire, steam, hot surfaces
- H8
- Dangerous locations
Discomforts
- D1
- Noise
- D2
- Vibration
- D3
- Odours
- D4
- Non-toxic dusts
- D5
- Wetness
Location Regulated inside climate L1
The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:
- firefighting and fire prevention duties
- maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
- managing operations and paperwork of farms
L1 - Regulated inside climate
A normal controlled environment such as an office, hospital or school.
Employment requirements Help
Education/training Help
- 1
- No formal education or training requirements
- 2
- Some high school education and/or on the job training or experience
- 3
- High school
- 4
- Course work, training, workshops and/or experience related to the occupation
- 5
- Apprenticeship, specialized training, vocational school training
- 6
- College, technical school (certificate, diploma)
- 7
- Undergraduate degree
- 8
- Post-graduate or professional degree
- +
- Additional requirement beyond education and training
- R
- Regulated requirement(s)
- 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.
Workplaces/employers Help
- Call centres
- Computer hardware manufacturers and retailers
- Information technology units throughout the private and public sectors
- Software development companies
- Self-employment
- Independent technical support companies
Occupational options Help
- Progression to computer programming, interactive media development, Web development or systems analysis is possible with experience.
Exclusions Help
Breakdown summary
- Broad occupational category
- 2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
- Skill level
- B – Occupations usually require college education, specialized training or apprenticeship training
- Minor group
- 22 – Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences
- Minor group
- 228 – Technical occupations in computer and information systems
- Unit group
- 2282 – User support technicians
- Version
- NOC 2016 Version 1.3