- Technicians and Technologists
- Electrical Technician and Technologist
- NOC #22310
Electrical Technician and Technologist
As an electrical technician or technologist, your expertise is needed to ensure that costly interruptions are minimal. In the energy industry, projects requiring electrical work are numerous – pump jacks require electrical motors and plants require generating systems. By building, testing, installing, troubleshooting, repairing and modifying electronic components, equipment and systems, you help keep things running.
Electrical technicians and technologists lay out, build, test, install, troubleshoot and repair electronic components, parts, equipment, and systems, such as computer equipment, control instrumentation, and instrumentation panels in the oil and gas industry. They usually work under the direction of engineering staff.
Typical roles in this occupation include:
- Electrical project technologists coordinate electrical upgrades to facilities, equipment and systems. They oversee the work of electrical engineering and construction contractors by scheduling work, procuring equipment and arranging electrical permits and inspections.
- Electrical design technologists develop and analyze 2D and 3D computerized drawings based on sketches, notes, mark-ups and specifications provided by engineers, designers and surveyors. They design layouts, schematics, diagrams, schedules and installation details.
- Electrical estimators prepare construction cost estimates for electrical materials, labour and equipment based on design drawings, specifications, bids, quotes and business needs.
- Distributed control systems (DCS) and programmable logic control (PLC) programmers program, test and troubleshoot process control equipment and system components. They repair, install, troubleshoot and maintain electronic, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical control systems.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Offshore, Pipelines, Oil and gas services, Oil sands
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary $51,000 to $85,000
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
In this occupation activities may include:
- Installing electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps and valves
- Identifying opportunities for technical investigations and trials related to new technologies in the areas of instrumentation, industrial process control, automation, remote data acquisition, electrical power and equipment.
- Testing incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances
- Repairing and performing planned maintenance on assigned electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps, valves, etc.
Education
- For Electrical Technicians, a one- or two-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology is typically required. For Electrical Technologists, a two- or three-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent discipline is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Certification in electrical or electronics engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by some employers
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Safety-sensitive environment
Plugged in to the world of electronics and computers, you have a high attention to detail and take a methodical approach to analyzing problems and finding solutions.
- Computers and electronics
- Public safety and security
- Critical thinking
- Installing equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Engineering and technology
- Quality control analysis
- Evaluating systems
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to detail
- Sub-sector Emissions reduction
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as an electrical technician and technologist in oil and natural gas will transfer directly to working in the emissions reduction sub-sector of the cleantech industry. Workers may expect to work in term positions, as workers in cleantech may be hired on a project-by-project basis.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Installing electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps and valves
- Identifying opportunities for technical investigations and trials related to new technologies in the areas of instrumentation, industrial process control, automation, remote data acquisition, electrical power and equipment.
- Testing incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances
- Repairing and performing planned maintenance on assigned electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps, valves, etc.
Education
- For Electrical Technicians, a one- or two-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology is typically required. For Electrical Technologists, a two- or three-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent discipline is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Certification in electrical or electronics engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by some employers
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to cleantech include:
- Travel required (emissions reduction)
- Primarily indoor/office work (emissions reduction)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (emissions reduction)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (emissions reduction)
- Safety-sensitive environment (emissions reduction)
- Transition to a similar level (emissions reduction)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Safety-sensitive environment
Plugged in to the world of electronics and computers, you have a high attention to detail and take a methodical approach to analyzing problems and finding solutions.
- Computers and electronics
- Public safety and security
- Critical thinking
- Installing equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Engineering and technology
- Quality control analysis
- Evaluating systems
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to detail
- Sub-sector Contracted and turnaround maintenance, Modular fabrication, Construction, Start-up and commissioning
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! An electrical technician and technologist’s skills in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to industrial construction and maintenance in energy. Unlike oil and natural gas, workers may expect this role in the industrial construction and maintenance industry to be unionized.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Installing electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps and valves
- Identifying opportunities for technical investigations and trials related to new technologies in the areas of instrumentation, industrial process control, automation, remote data acquisition, electrical power and equipment.
- Testing incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances
- Repairing and performing planned maintenance on assigned electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps, valves, etc.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in industrial construction and maintenance may include:
- Experience with data management software applications. (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication)
- Experience with drafting software applications. (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication)
Education
- For Electrical Technicians, a one- or two-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology is typically required. For Electrical Technologists, a two- or three-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent discipline is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Certification in electrical or electronics engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by some employers
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Primarily indoor/office work (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Temporary/project-to-project work(contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Safety-sensitive environment (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Transition to a similar level (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Potentially unionized (contracted and turnaround maintenance | modular fabrication | construction | start-up and commissioning)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Safety-sensitive environment
Plugged in to the world of electronics and computers, you have a high attention to detail and take a methodical approach to analyzing problems and finding solutions.
- Computers and electronics
- Public safety and security
- Critical thinking
- Installing equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Engineering and technology
- Quality control analysis
- Evaluating systems
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to detail
The industrial construction and maintenance in energy sector is further divided into project life cycle phases:
Contracted and turnaround maintenance
- Average salary range: Equal to oil and gas
Modular fabrication
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
Construction
- Average salary range: Equal to oil and gas
Start-up and commissioning
- Average salary range: Equal to oil and gas
What does this mean for workers?
There could be differences in the expected salary range and varying work environments. Further research on the sector or consultation with a career advisor may be required.
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as an electrical technician and technologist in oil and natural gas will transfer directly to working in LNG facility operation.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Installing electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps and valves
- Identifying opportunities for technical investigations and trials related to new technologies in the areas of instrumentation, industrial process control, automation, remote data acquisition, electrical power and equipment.
- Testing incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances
- Repairing and performing planned maintenance on assigned electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps, valves, etc.
Education
- For Electrical Technicians, a one- or two-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology is typically required. For Electrical Technologists, a two- or three-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent discipline is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Certification in electrical or electronics engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by some employers
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to LNG include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Safety-sensitive environment
Plugged in to the world of electronics and computers, you have a high attention to detail and take a methodical approach to analyzing problems and finding solutions.
- Computers and electronics
- Public safety and security
- Critical thinking
- Installing equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Engineering and technology
- Quality control analysis
- Evaluating systems
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to detail
- Sub-sector Solar, Wind
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Less than oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
The role of electrical technician and technologist will require some skill upgrading for a worker transitioning from oil and natural gas to renewables. This role is in demand in the solar and wind sub-sectors and may be called a wind technician, wind turbine technician or solar technician. Workers need to be comfortable working at heights and will need to increase their knowledge and familiarity with solar and wind turbine equipment and processes. The average salary range in renewables may be lower than the average oil and natural gas salary range.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in renewables may include:
- Inspecting, evaluating, testing, cleaning, calibrating and maintaining solar module systems, mounting hardware, combiner fuse boxes, inverters, switchgear, circuit breakers, transformers, batteries, data acquisition systems, relays, programmable logic controllers, revenue meters, weather stations, fuel cell equipment and other AC and DC equipment. (solar | wind)
- Inspecting equipment, tools and facilities for compliance with policies, governmental and environmental regulations as well as safety guidelines such as: Complete Lock-Out-Tag-Out (LOTO), Tail Board and Test-Verify-Test. (solar | wind)
In this occupation activities may include:
- Installing electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps and valves
- Identifying opportunities for technical investigations and trials related to new technologies in the areas of instrumentation, industrial process control, automation, remote data acquisition, electrical power and equipment.
- Testing incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances
- Repairing and performing planned maintenance on assigned electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps, valves, etc.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in renewables may include:
- Experience with a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application such as AutoCAD. (solar | wind)
- Experience with data management software applications such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). (solar | wind)
- Industry certification for solar or wind may be obtained through professional associations such as the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification. (solar | wind)
- Other certifications such as Fall protection and Class 5 license could also be needed. (solar | wind)
Education
- For Electrical Technicians, a one- or two-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology is typically required. For Electrical Technologists, a two- or three-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent discipline is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Certification in electrical or electronics engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by some employers
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to renewables include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (solar | wind)
- Travel required (solar | wind)
- Potential for relocation (solar | wind)
- Primarily outdoor work (solar | wind)
- Physical work (solar | wind)
- Less formal organizational structure (solar | wind)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (solar | wind)
- Safety-sensitive environment (solar | wind)
- Transition to a lower level (solar | wind)
- Rural location (solar | wind)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Safety-sensitive environment
Plugged in to the world of electronics and computers, you have a high attention to detail and take a methodical approach to analyzing problems and finding solutions.
- Computers and electronics
- Public safety and security
- Critical thinking
- Installing equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Engineering and technology
- Quality control analysis
- Evaluating systems
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to detail
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as an electrical technician and technologist in oil and natural gas will transfer directly to working in digitization and automation in energy.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Installing electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps and valves
- Identifying opportunities for technical investigations and trials related to new technologies in the areas of instrumentation, industrial process control, automation, remote data acquisition, electrical power and equipment.
- Testing incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances
- Repairing and performing planned maintenance on assigned electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps, valves, etc.
Education
- For Electrical Technicians, a one- or two-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology is typically required. For Electrical Technologists, a two- or three-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent discipline is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Certification in electrical or electronics engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by some employers
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to digitization and automation include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Safety-sensitive environment
Plugged in to the world of electronics and computers, you have a high attention to detail and take a methodical approach to analyzing problems and finding solutions.
- Computers and electronics
- Public safety and security
- Critical thinking
- Installing equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Engineering and technology
- Quality control analysis
- Evaluating systems
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to detail
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as an electrical technician and technologist in oil and natural gas will transfer directly to petrochemicals and refining. Unlike oil and natural gas, at some plants, this role may be unionized, which can affect the workplace culture.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Installing electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps and valves
- Identifying opportunities for technical investigations and trials related to new technologies in the areas of instrumentation, industrial process control, automation, remote data acquisition, electrical power and equipment.
- Testing incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances
- Repairing and performing planned maintenance on assigned electronic, electrical, pneumatic and/or mechanical control systems, devices and ancillary equipment, such as soft start equipment, electrical generators, gas turbine and air compressors, pumps, valves, etc.
Education
- For Electrical Technicians, a one- or two-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology is typically required. For Electrical Technologists, a two- or three-year post-secondary diploma in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent discipline is typically required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Certification in electrical or electronics engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by some employers
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Potentially unionized
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Safety-sensitive environment
Plugged in to the world of electronics and computers, you have a high attention to detail and take a methodical approach to analyzing problems and finding solutions.
- Computers and electronics
- Public safety and security
- Critical thinking
- Installing equipment
- Repairing machines and systems
- Engineering and technology
- Quality control analysis
- Evaluating systems
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to detail
