Instrument Technician

Trades & Technology

Training:
Red Deer College offers the Instrument Technician Apprenticeship program, one of the many apprenticeship training options available for students.
Apprenticeship is a career option that involves both classroom and on-the-job training. To learn the skills required of an Electrician in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, a person must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice.

Learn:
The term of apprenticeship for an Instrument Technician is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training in the first and second year, and a minimum of 1425 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of technical training in the third and fourth year.

Employment Opportunities:
Instrument Technicians work with a wide variety of pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer instruments used to measure and control variables such as pressure, flow, temperature, level, motion, force, and chemical composition.
With industry becoming increasing automated, Instrument Technicians are needed virtually anywhere there are control and metering systems. They are employed in the following industries:
• Pulp and paper processing
• Hydro power generation
• Mining, petrochemical and natural gas
• Industrial and commercial manufacturing
• Industrial construction
• Industrial instrument servicing
Experienced Instrument Technicians may advance to supervisory positions, be employed as Engineering Technicians, or move into company sales offices.

Continue Your Learning:
To work in Alberta, Instrument Technicians must be one of the following:
• Registered apprentices
• Certified Journeyperson
• Working for an employer who is satisfied they have the skills and knowledge expected of certified Journeyperson