Job Roles and Responsibilities in Canada. Web Designers and Developers

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1 Job Roles and Responsibilities in Canada Web Designers and Developers 1

2 Acknowledgements Winnipeg Technical College and the Department of Labour and Immigration of Manitoba wish to express sincere appreciation to all contributors. Special acknowledgments are extended to the following individuals: Manola Barlow Independent contractor Sarah McDowell Independent contractor Stacey Thorarinson-Hoff RPL, Winnipeg Technical College Grace Leduc Curriculum Development, Winnipeg Technical College Val Huffman Instructor, Winnipeg Technical College Lynn Campbell The Citizenship and Multicultural Division, Manitoba Department of Labour and Immigration Funding for this project has been provided by the Manitoba Labour and Immigration Adult Language Training Branch. - April

3 Table of Contents Introduction Language Requirements Description Where Web Designers and Developers Find Work Skills Duties Terms & Conditions Earnings Education/Training Employment Requirements Career Paths Employment Opportunities Professional Associations and Unions References

4 Introduction This package focuses on the job roles and responsibilities of Web Designers and Developers. Job roles, responsibilities and titles within the information technology sector change constantly. It is important to stay up to date with current technology and professional practices. Language Requirements Computer / Network and Web Technicians, Information Systems Analysts / Consultants and Web Designers / Developers should be able to communicate clearly in English in order to do their job well. It is very important to employers that you have good oral communication skills so you can communicate with them and with your co-workers. It is important to note that language entrance requirements and test requirements vary in different colleges. Contact the colleges to see what is required. Recommended Canadian Language Benchmark Levels 1 Speaking Listening Reading Writing Recommended TOEFL scores Paper-based: 550, Computer-based: 213, Internet-based: 80 2 If you have not yet taken a Canadian Language Benchmark Test to determine your level of English, it is recommended that you call the Adult Language Training Branch: Language Assessment Centre for an appointment, Tel. (204) Description Web Designers and Developers research, design, develop and produce internet and intranet sites. Web Designers are in charge of what people see. Web Developers are in charge of the programming aspect. They are employed in computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed. Web Designers and Developers are classified under the National Occupation Classification # Note: This occupation has not been formally benchmarked. 2 These are the current TOEFL entrance requirements at some colleges. 4

5 Example Titles e-commerce web site developer internet site designer internet site developer intranet site designer web developer web manager web site developer webmaster web designer Where Web Designers and Developers Find Work In Manitoba, more jobs are located in Winnipeg. Web Designers and Developers are employed chiefly in the professional, scientific and technical services industry (49%). Educational services 11%, Information and cultural industries 9%, Finance and insurance 8%, Public administration 8%, Wholesale trade 4% and Utilities 2% are where the rest of employment is found. Skills Web Designers and Developers need the following characteristics: an in-depth knowledge of how the internet works ability to express technical concepts clearly to people with no technical background ability to think logically to organize information effective communication skills patience and persistence and the ability to focus on details ability to work alone or as a member of a team an interest in keeping up to date with new technology Web developers need strong technical skills in programming Duties Web Designers perform some or all of the following duties: Consult with clients to develop and document web site requirements Prepare mock-ups and storyboards Develop web site architecture and determine hardware and software requirements Source, select and organize information for the appearance, layout, flow and the overall design of the web site Create graphic logos, illustrations and photographs Web Designers and Developers perform some or all of the following duties: Create content for web sites using a variety of graphics, databases, animation and other software Ensure the web site is working efficiently 5

6 Research and evaluate a variety of interactive media software products May lead and co-ordinate multidisciplinary teams to develop web site functionality Web Developers perform some or all of the following duties: Create databases and other software programs to manage content within web sites. Terms & Conditions Web Designers and Developers work indoors, in a computerized office environment or at home. Working hours will vary depending upon the work setting. For those who are self-employed or on contract, hours may be long for the duration of the project or contract. Approximately 15% of this occupation is self-employed. Earnings In Manitoba $20,000 per annum - starting $41,000 per annum - average $65,000 per annum - high Education / Training Most colleges and universities in the province offer degree, diploma or certificate programs in this area. The following post-secondary institutions offer programs specifically related to web site design and development: Assiniboine Community College offers a two-year diploma program in Web Design and Development. Red River College's Continuing Education Division offers a Web Site Development Certificate Program. Winnipeg Technical Colleges offers a one-year certificate in Web Design. The Division of Continuing Education at the University of Winnipeg offers a certificate program in Web Design and a diploma program in Web Development. A number of private vocational institutions offer programs in this field. Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in information technology. 6

7 Employment Requirements Currently web designers may not require a formal education, but a portfolio of current, active websites is required. Some employers may require a formal education (bachelor's degree or college program), usually in computer science or communications, graphic design or web design. Career Paths People from a wide variety of occupations may become interested in and develop skills in web design. With experience and/or further training, web designers may move into computer programming, systems analysis, network support or interactive media development. Experienced web designers may start their own businesses. Employment Opportunities Employment opportunities for web designers and developers are expected to be good in the period 2006 to Today, most companies are hiring professionals to create and maintain web sites. The work of web site designers and developers is likely to become more specialized as web sites become more complex and professional. Encryption technology has made it possible for transactional services such as buying and selling goods, banking, travel bookings and government services to be available on line in a secure environment. Prospects are especially bright for those who can keep up to date with the technology and understand how to best adapt it for business purposes. Professional Associations and Unions New Media Manitoba.Com, 779 Warsaw Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3M 1B7, (204) Information and Communications Technology Association of Manitoba, 435 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 1Y6, (204) , Association of Information Systems Professionals, Des Meurons, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2R1, (204) Canadian Information Processing Society, P.O. Box 2610, Winnipeg, MB,R3C 4B3, Telephone: (204) , Fax: (204) References Manitoba Job Futures, Retrieved on February 15, 2007 from: 7