Instrument Technician

Instrument Technicians install, maintain and repair the measuring and control instruments used in industrial and commercial processing.

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.

In general, they:

• consult manufacturers' manuals to determine test and maintenance procedures
• use pneumatic, electrical and electronic testing devices to inspect and test instrument and system operation, and diagnose faults
• practice loss management principles
• consult with and advise process operators
• train apprentices
• repair, maintain and adjust system components or remove and replace defective parts
• do risk assessments
• calibrate and maintain components and instruments according to manufacturers' specifications
• work with engineers on basic design
• install and maintain instruments on new or existing plant equipment and processes
• interpret and use appropriate CSA, ISA and API installation standards and practices

Instrument Technicians may work regular week-day hours or work in shifts, and are sometimes “on call” at night and on weekends. Working conditions can change dramatically from one job to another. Instrument Technicians working with manufacturing processes may be exposed to confined spaces, high places, noisy, dusty, cold or unusually warm conditions. There may also be exposure to radiation devices and laser equipment.

There is some risk of injury, particularly when processing dangerous chemicals or working with substances under pressure or at high temperatures.

The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy security, problem-solving, developing an area of expertise, and working with little direction or supervision.

Qualifications

To be successful in their trade, Instrument Technicians need:

• the ability to pay careful attention to details
• good communication and reading skills,
• manual dexterity and patience
• the ability to lift between 11 and 25 kilograms
• good mathematical, scientific, mechanical and logical reasoning abilities
• the ability and desire to keep up-to-date with technological developments in the field

In Alberta, the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act requires that anyone working as an Instrument Technician be a certified journeyman, a registered apprentice or hold a recognized trade certificate. To enter the Instrument Technician program, the applicant must have at least Alberta Math 20 or 23 or Pure Math 20 or Applied Math 20 and 10 credits in high school science or equivalent, or pass the entrance exam, and find an employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school or post secondary program graduates who have strong backgrounds in the chemical and physical process involved in instrumentation. Courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry are particularly important.

To register, the apprentice and the employer complete an application form together and submit it to the closest Apprenticeship and Industry Training office located at most Alberta Career Development Centres and Canada Alberta Service Centres.

Once the application is approved, a contract is drawn up and signed by the apprentice and the employer.

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.  An applicant who previously completed courses of study or work experience related to the Instrument Technician trade or holds a related journeyman certificate and has the employer's recommendation, may qualify for credit that could reduce the term of apprenticeship. 

The classroom training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is offered at Red Deer College.  When apprentices attend training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.  Human Resources Development Canada may provide income support for apprentices attending classroom training. For more detailed information, contact your local Canada Employment Centre.  After successfully completing the required examinations and hours of employment, apprentices are awarded a Completion of Apprenticeship and Journeyman Certificate.

Those who pass an approved interprovincial exam qualify for the Interprovincial Red Seal which means their trade qualifications are recognized throughout most of Canada.

Employment and Advancement

With industry becoming increasingly 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.

For more information about the Instrument Technician Apprenticeship program, please contact Trades and Manufacturing at Red Deer College 403.342.3100 or Apprenticeship and Industry Training 403.340.5151.

You can also find more information at www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca.