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Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics

OaSIS code 22312.00

Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics repair, maintain, calibrate, adjust, and install industrial measuring and controlling instrumentation.

Overview

Also known as

  • Apprentice industrial instrument mechanic
  • Industrial instrument mechanic
  • Industrial instrument technician
  • Industrial instrumentation technician
  • Process control equipment mechanic

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Consult manufacturer's manuals, circuit diagrams and blueprints to determine tests and maintenance procedures for instruments used for measuring and controlling flow, level, pressure, temperature, chemical composition and other variables in manufacturing and processing
  • Inspect and test operation of instruments and systems to diagnose faults using pneumatic, electrical and electronic testing devices and precision measuring instruments
  • Repair and adjust system components, such as sensors, transmitters and programmable logic controllers, or remove and replace defective parts
  • Calibrate components and instruments according to manufacturers' specifications
  • Perform scheduled preventive maintenance work and complete test and maintenance reports
  • Install control and measurement instruments on existing and new plant equipment and processes
  • Consult with and advise process operators.

Additional information

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

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers (22231)
  • Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310)
  • Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (22313)
  • Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (72400)
  • Aircraft instrument technician (in 22313.01 Aircraft instrument mechanics and technicians)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

22 – Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

223 – Technical occupations related to engineering

Minor group

2231 – Technical occupations in electronics and electrical engineering

Unit group

22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics

Occupational profile

22312.00 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Developing Technical Instructions
4 - High Level
Electronic Maintenance
4 - High Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
4 - High Level
Mechanical Maintenance
4 - High Level
Analyzing Data or Information
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
2 - Less than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
4 - Highly important
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day

Workplaces/employers

  • Hydro power generating utilities
  • Industrial instrument companies
  • Industrial instrument servicing establishments
  • Manufacturing companies
  • Mining companies
  • Natural gas companies
  • Nuclear power generating utilities
  • Petrochemical companies
  • Pulp and paper processing companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Sound Localization
5 - Highest Level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
4 - High Level
Control of Settings
4 - High Level
Finger Dexterity
4 - High Level
Manual Dexterity
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
5 - Highest Level
Preventative Maintenance
5 - Highest Level
Repairing
5 - Highest Level
Troubleshooting
5 - Highest Level
Operation and Control
4 - High Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Active Learning
3 - Important
Analytical Thinking
3 - Important
Collaboration
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: IRC

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of a four- or five-year apprenticeship program in industrial instrument repair or completion of a two-year college program in industrial instrumentation technology and several years of work experience are usually required for trade certification.
  • Instrumentation and control technician trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories, except in Quebec.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified instrumentation and control technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Clerical
2 - Intermediate Level
Electrical and Electronics
2 - Intermediate Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
2 - Intermediate Level
Mathematics
2 - Intermediate Level
Mechanics and Machinery
2 - Intermediate Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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