Instrumentation and Control Technicians and Mechanics

(NOC 2243)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Instrumentation and control technicians and mechanics install, maintain, and repair the measuring and control devices used in industrial and commercial processing. They work for pulp and paper processing companies, nuclear and hydro power generating companies, mining, petrochemical and natural gas companies, industrial instrument companies, manufacturing companies, and industrial instrument servicing organizations.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Outlook: undetermined - an outlook was not determined for this occupation due to too few workers in Nova Scotia.

Size of the occupation in Nova Scotia: small, with infrequent job opportunities.

Job openings: some in the coming years due to retirements. Both permanent and temporary positions are common.

Work hours: full-time, normally.

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$38.40

Median

$57.77

Maximum

Annual Pay

$38,448

Minimum

$89,856

Median

$173,425

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Instrumentation and control technicians and mechanics install, maintain, and repair the measuring and control devices used in industrial and commercial processing. They work for pulp and paper processing companies, nuclear and hydro power generating companies, mining, petrochemical and natural gas companies, industrial instrument companies, manufacturing companies, and industrial instrument servicing organizations.

Job duties

Instrumentation and control technicians and mechanics:

  • Refer to manufacturer's manuals, circuit diagrams, and blueprints to verify 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.
  • Repair and adjust system components like sensors, transmitters, and programmable logic controllers, or remove and replace defective parts.
  • Calibrate components and instruments according to manufacturers' specifications.
  • Carry out 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.

Sample job titles

  • apprentice industrial instrument mechanic
  • apprentice instrumentation and control technician
  • heavy water plant control technician
  • industrial instrument mechanic
  • industrial instrument technician
  • industrial process control equipment repairer
  • instrument maintenance mechanic
  • instrumentation and control technician
  • process control equipment mechanic
  • process control equipment repairer

Skills

  • Attention to detail.
  • Communication.
  • Reading Skills.
  • Manual dexterity.
  • Patience.
  • Mathematical and mechanical abilities.
  • Ability to reason logically.
  • Problem solving.
  • Ability to work with tools, equipment and machinery.
  • Ability to work under pressure.
  • Ability to work as a team.

Job requirements

  • High school or equivalent (usually).
  • Training through a 7,200-hour apprenticeship program with four apprenticeship levels: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
  • Trade Qualifier option, 10,800 hours and other criteria.
  • Certification for instrumentation and control technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
  • Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for instrumentation and control technicians.
  • Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.

Other considerations

  • Setting: both indoors or outdoors, in a vehicle, may be more than one location.
  • Risks: working with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools that may be a potential source of accident or injury. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment are used to make sure workers are safe. De-energizing, lock-out and tag-out procedures to ensure safe conditions when working on equipment.
  • Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program is completed.
  • Experienced tradespeople may advance to supervisor positions.
  • Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

By the numbers

Quick look

240

employed in 2016

95.7%

employed full-time

6.4%

self employed

0.0%
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100%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.3

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

39.6%

Cape Breton

$90,587 median annual income
18.8%

North Shore

$90,262 median annual income
18.8%

Halifax

$96,072 median annual income
12.5%

Southern

N/A
10.4%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

27.3%

Manufacturing

21.2%

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

12.1%

Professional, scientific and technical services

12.1%

Utilities

9.1%

Construction

What is the age of Employment?

25.0%

45-54

21.0%

55-64

21.0%

35-44

19.0%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

62.5%

College Diploma

$88,160 median annual income
27.1%

Trade Certification

$89,926 median annual income
4.2%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A
4.2%

High school

N/A
4.2%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Apprenticeship - Instrumentation and Control Technician

Apprenticeship Program

Apprenticeship is a structured training program leading to certification in the skilled trades. An apprenticeship combines supervised on-the-job training and experience with theoretical technical training. You find a job in your trade first and then enter into an apprenticeship agreement. You work 7,200 hours mentored by a certified journeyperson and gain the required skills and knowledge. You also take some technical courses. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency administers the trades training and certification system. An instrumentation and control technician apprenticeship prepares apprentices to install, operate and maintain the measuring and control devices used in industrial and commercial processing.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Instrumentation Technology/Technician - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in developing control and measurement systems and procedures. They include courses in instrumentation design and maintenance, calibration, design and production testing and scheduling, automated equipment functions, applications to specific industrial tasks, and report preparation.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Trade Qualifier

Trades Program

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency also offers a path to trades certification outside of a formal apprenticeship agreement with a qualified journeyperson. This option includes a set amount of required hours of related experience in the trade, passing a certification exam, and other criteria. Contact the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency for more details.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Instrumentation and Control Technician

Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS

Contacts