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Instrument Repair Technician, Mechanic, Service Technician
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $25.39 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $34.41 |
| Top | $42.17 |
Interest in precision working to repair and adjust system components such as sensors, transmitters and programmable logic controllers, remove and replace defective parts and to install control and measurement instruments on existing and new plant equipment and processes
Interest in analyzing to inspect and test instruments to diagnose faults using pneumatic, electrical and electronic testing devices and precision measuring instruments
Interest in speaking to consult with and advise process operators; and in performing scheduled preventive maintenance
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Instrumentation and control technicians work with a wide variety of pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer devices that are used to measure and control pressure, flow, temperature, level, motion, force and chemical composition.
In general, technicians:
Instrumentation and control technicians may follow regular weekday hours or work rotation schedules, and are sometimes on call at night and on weekends.
Working conditions may change dramatically from one job to another. Instrumentation and control technicians working with manufacturing processes may be exposed to noisy, dusty, cold or unusually warm conditions. They can find themselves in confined spaces or high places, or working with radiation devices or laser equipment. There is some risk of injury particularly when processing dangerous chemicals or working with substances under pressure or at high temperatures.
Instrumentation and control technicians may be required to lift or move items that weigh up to 25 kilograms.
Instrumentation and control technicians need:
They should enjoy solving problems and working with little direction or supervision.
To work in Alberta, an instrumentation and control technician must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:
Most employers prefer to hire high school or post-secondary program graduates who have strong backgrounds in the chemical and physical processes involved in instrumentation. Courses in math, physics and chemistry are particularly important.
The term of apprenticeship is 4 years (four 12-month periods) that include a minimum of:
High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.
Instrumentation and control technician apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).
Instrumentation and controls technicians need to keep up to date with changes in technology.
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Instrumentation and control technicians install, maintain and repair the measuring and control devices used in industrial and commercial processing. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act [pdf] and Instrumentation and Control Technician Trade Regulation [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.
The term of apprenticeship for apprentice instrumentation and control technicians in Alberta is 4 years (four 12-month periods) that include a minimum of:
Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices, and successfully complete technical training examinations.
Instrumentation and control technicians trained in other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board or have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified in Alberta. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on “Contact Us” on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
With industry becoming increasingly automated, instrumentation and control technicians are needed virtually anywhere there are control and metering systems.
They are employed in the following industries:
Experienced instrumentation and control technicians may advance to supervisory positions, be employed as engineering technicians or move into company sales offices.
Instrumentation and control technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2243: Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics. In Alberta, 86% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf]in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the C143: Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.1% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 58 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Journeyperson instrumentation and control technicians wage rates vary but generally range from $30 to $55 an hour plus benefits (2019 estimates). Apprentices earn at least 55% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65% in the second, 75% in the third and 85% in the fourth.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $46.25 | $25.39 | $21.45 |
| Overall | $24.33 | $50.62 | $34.41 | $36.20 |
| Top | $28.30 | $52.88 | $42.17 | $43.14 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $82,761 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $80,297 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $73,037 |
| Manufacturing | $70,109 |
| Wholesale Trade | $60,452 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
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Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.