Instrumentation Engineering Technologist

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:

• 2006 NOC: Mechanical Engineering Technologists (2232.1);  Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists (2241.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians (C132);  Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (C141) 
• 2011 NOC: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (2232);  Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (2241) 
• 2016 NOC: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (2232);  Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (2241) 
• 2021 NOC: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (22301);  Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310) 

Pneumatic, electronic, and microcomputer instruments measure and control pressure variables in industrial processes. These include flow, temperature, level, pressure, and chemical makeup. Instruments can be as simple as mechanical float level controls or as complex as multisensor calculated computer-based systems.

Duties vary from one role to another. Instrumentation engineering technologists may:

• Help design, specify, size, and choose measurement, safety, and control systems with engineers and others
• Recommend and make changes to measurement, safety, and control systems
• Program and configure microprocessor-based measurement, safety, and control systems
• Work for vendors in technical sales and service roles (to learn more, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile)
• Update and stamp their own engineering drawings (if they have their P.Tech. designation)

Some instrumentation engineering technologists may need to be certified (to learn more, see Certification Requirements).

Instrumentation engineering technologists may work in design, maintenance, or construction. Those in design work mostly indoors. Those in maintenance and construction may work outdoors at processing facilities or construction sites. They must take safety precautions to avoid injury.

Technologists may work standard weekday hours or shifts. They may be on call or work overtime to meet deadlines or solve problems.

Instrumentation engineering technologists work for:

• Engineering firms
• Oil, gas, and petrochemical companies
• Power, gas, and water utilities
• Pulp and paper mills
• Food processors
• Chemical plants
• Mining companies
• Meter and controls design and sales companies

Experienced technologists may advance to become supervisors or managers. They may also be self-employed consultants.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 2232: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians occupational group, 76.2% of people work in:

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Manufacturing
• Construction

In the 2241: Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians occupational group, 79.2% of people work in:

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Manufacturing
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Construction
• Utilities
• Health Care and Social Services
• Other Services
• Wholesale Trade

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 2232: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

In Alberta, the 2241: Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca

Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) website: www.aset.ab.ca

The International Society of Automation (ISA) website: www.isa.org

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.