Occupation Profile: Electrical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Occupation Profile: Electrical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Table of Contents Introduction...4! National Occupational Classification (NOC)...4! Examples of Benchmark Job Titles...4! Industry Context...4! Electrical Engineering...5! Electronic Engineering...5! Main Responsibilities...9! Electrical Technician and Field Service Technician...9! Electrical Technician Dynamic Positioning (Offshore Oil and Gas Operations)... 10! Electrical Project Coordinator (Technologist)...11! Electrical Designer (Technologist)...11! Electrical Technologist Estimator...12! Electrical Technologist Control Systems and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer...13! Technical Sales Representative and Account Manager Electrical Equipment Suppliers and Distributors...13! Minimum Qualifications for Entry...14! Education and Experience...14! Certification...14! Characteristics and Nature of this Occupation...15! Regional Considerations...16! Other Work-Related Conditions...16! Key Competencies and Related Training and Development...17! Competencies...17! Training and Development...18! Work Opportunities and Typical Career Path...18! Career Advancement and Occupational Options...18! Employment Outlook...19! Workplaces and Employers in the Petroleum Industry...19! November 2009 Page 2 of 23
Compensation: Wages, Salaries and Other Typical Remuneration...20! Extra Information...20! Related Web Links...20! Something to Think About and Helpful Tips...23! Copyright Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada 2009.The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada. November 2009 Page 3 of 23
Introduction National Occupational Classification (NOC) #2241: Electrical Technologists and Technicians; and #2253: Drafting Technologists and Technicians. Examples of Benchmark Job Titles Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologist and Technician; Engineering Design and Drafting Technologist; Job titles vary in the industry, with the most common ones being: Electrical Designer and Drafter; Design Technologist; 3D Modeler and Specialist; Electrical (Design) Quality Control and Checker; CAD Electrical Designer and Team Lead; and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data and Acquisition) Technician. Industry Context Electrical engineering focuses on the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. Electrical Engineers design, develop, test and oversee implementation, operation and decommissioning of electrical systems and electronic devices such as telecommunication systems, electric power distribution, hydraulic and pneumatic electrical control systems, and building lighting and wiring. Electrical engineering roles may or may not include electronic engineering. November 2009 Page 4 of 23
Electrical Engineering Deals with large-scale electrical systems such as power transmission and motor control; and Focuses on electricity used to transmit energy. Electronic Engineering Deals with small-scale electronic systems including computers and integrated circuits; and Focuses on electricity used to transmit information. The oil and gas industry requires the expertise of multi-functional teams. Electrical Engineers work with Electrical Engineering Technologists and Technicians, along with Electricians and professionals in other disciplines such as Mechanical Engineers. Technologists have usually completed a two or three year diploma program at a college, technical institute or the equivalent, studying advanced mathematics, engineering theory and scientific principle courses. This knowledge enables Technologists to work in areas such as design, data interpretation, complex technical consultation, technical specification preparation, planning, analysis and project management. Electrical Technicians Electrical Engineering Technologists Electrical Engineers Electricians Technicians are specialists trained for jobs Figure 1: Electrical Engineering. requiring expertise in specific tasks, such as installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, inspecting, manufacturing, testing, sampling, repair, basic design and equipment operation. Most will have taken a one or two-year technical program that leads to some form of certification, depending on the educational institution. Electricians install, repair, test and maintain wiring, controls, motors and other electrical devices. Apprenticeships are required and involve a combination of on-the-job training and technical training over a period of years. For more information on trade apprenticeships, go to the provincial links provided at www.red-seal.ca. The publication, High School to Apprenticeship A Link to the Future 2008, is also informative and can be viewed at www.saskapprenticeship.ca. Some electrical engineering roles are specialized while others focus on a combination of engineering disciplines. There is typically little standardization within the industry, as employers manage November 2009 Page 5 of 23
the work around their business needs and available talent. Some employers look for instrumentation and electrical trades, while others prefer diplomas or certifications from post-secondary educational institutions. The opportunities are endless and individuals can have a satisfying career in the industry if they choose the route that best fits their skills, interests and preferences. Figure 2 shows the diverse but interrelated sub-disciplines within the electrical engineering field. Power Mechatronics (Related) Control Computer Electrical Engineering Instrumentation Telecommunications Electronics Signal Processing Figure 2: Electrical engineering sub-disciplines. Power Engineering Deals with generating, transmitting and distributing electricity, high-voltage engineering and power electronics. Control Engineering Focuses on the design and implementation of automated systems that are very complex, integrated and dynamic. Controllers (electrical circuits, digital signal processors, microcontrollers and Programmable Logic Controllers or PLC s) direct industrial automation systems to behave in a certain way. (A PLC is an industrial computer used November 2009 Page 6 of 23
to monitor inputs, and depending upon the industry it serves, make decisions based on its program or logic to control (turn on/off) its outputs to automate a machine or a process.) Terms like smart rigs, smart pigs (used to examine the inside of oil pipelines), and smart plants, refer to the highly automated processes and controls that are being used. Some offshore rig operations are totally automated, meaning they run unmanned. Instrumentation Engineering Deals with the design of devices to measure physical quantities such as pressure, flow and temperature. Instrumentation is not always used by itself, as it can also perform as sensors in larger electrical systems. Instrumentation Engineering typically works in conjunction with Control Engineering. Electronics Engineering Involves the design and testing of electronic circuits that use the properties of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and transistors to achieve a particular functionality. Signal Processing Engineering Deals with the analysis and manipulation of analog or digital signals required in communications, control and radar. Offshore platforms, as an example, use fog signals, dynamic positioning signals and ice/iceberg radar surveillance systems to operate safely. Telecommunications Engineering Focuses on the transmission of information across a channel such as coax cable or optical fiber, and on the design of transmitters and receivers. Satellite communications have become increasingly important, e.g. global positioning systems used in seismic operations and ship-to-shore connections. Terrestrial wireless transmission of data is very common and is increasing in use (e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G and broadband radio frequency RF). Computer Engineering Involves the design of computer hardware and software and interfaces such as those used to control automated processes. An example is Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems used in automated process control. For more information, see the profile for Automation Engineer at www.petrohrsc.ca. November 2009 Page 7 of 23
Mechatronics Is a related engineering discipline dealing with systems that combine electrical and mechanical systems such as the electrical rotating machine (see Figure 3), and is also known as electromechanical systems (e.g. heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems). Electrical Engineers and Electrical Engineering Technologists and Technicians focus on a variety of components that are fundamental to oil and gas industry s operations, no matter the stage of exploration and production, or whether they work in the middle of the prairies, the far north or offshore. Their contributions to the oil and gas industry include: Figure 3: Electromechanical systems. Source: Magna IV Engineering. Electrical design for facilities, substations, pipelines, pump stations, refineries and other buildings; Power distribution; Emergency back-up systems; Fire and gas detection; Security and other alarm systems; Lighting and heating; Electrical cables, transformers, switchgear, and specialized equipment drives; Computers, control centres, panels, meters and sensors; engine generators (gen-sets); Lightning and grounding systems; and Hazardous area classifications. Compared to a house or a school, operational environments are much more complex in terms of equipment and electrical requirements. November 2009 Page 8 of 23
Main Responsibilities The positions listed in this section are examples of career opportunities in the oil and gas industry for Electrical Technologists and Technicians; these are not intended to be all-inclusive. Similar work may be performed by individuals who have different levels of formal education and experience. Based on the nature of their particular business, an employer may choose to hire Engineers, Technologists, Technicians and/or trades to do this interesting and challenging work. There are many variations of roles and lots of career flexibility. The main responsibilities are grouped by: Electrical Technician and Field Service Technician; Electrical Technician Dynamic Positioning (Offshore Oil and Gas Operations); Electrical Project Coordinator (Technologist); Electrical Designer (Technologist); Electrical Technologist Estimator; Electrical Technologist Control Systems and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer; and Technical Sales Representative and Account Manager Electrical Equipment Suppliers and Distributors. Electrical Technician and Field Service Technician Electrical Technicians and Field Service Technicians typically provide hands-on technical expertise in installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of any of the following: Distribution and transmission electrical equipment such as switchgear (see Figure 5), including: o Industrial process control systems; o Telecommunications; o Micro-electronic systems and circuits; and o Protective devices. November 2009 Page 9 of 23
Technicians are involved in: o Inspecting, testing, adjusting and evaluating incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to ensure conformance with product specifications and tolerances; o Calibrating electrical or electronic equipment and instruments according to technical manuals, written instructions and test protocols; o Maintaining electrical and electronic parts inventory levels; o Collecting and compiling operational or experimental data; and o Assisting in the preparation of estimates, schedules, budgets, specifications and reports. Electrical Technician Dynamic Positioning (Offshore Oil and Gas Operations) Dynamic positioning (DP) is a computer controlled system involving sensors (e.g. wind and motion sensors) and gyrocompasses that make propellers and thrusters automatically maintain the position and heading of vessels such as semisubmersible mobile offshore drilling units (MODU). With direction from an Electrical Supervisor, people in technician roles on the rig assist with installation, maintenance and repair of all electronic equipment, including: Inspecting and regularly testing all electronic equipment installed onboard and taking primary responsibility for the dynamic positioning (DP) system; Ensuring that equipment is in safe and proper condition at all times, is in compliance with the rules and regulations and has the necessary certifications; Ensuring that emergency shutdown systems are operational at all times; Figure 4: Aerial view of the ExxonMobil Sable Project Thebaud compression deck and production platform. Source: ExxonMobil and Prisma Productions. Checking and calibrating fire and gas detecting equipment and other warning and alarm systems on board, as per the preventive maintenance schedule; Keeping the maintenance log and the preventive maintenance system records updated, and preparing reports for all electronic equipment; and Modifying electrical schematics and electrical drawings for all electronic systems as required. November 2009 Page 10 of 23
Electrical Project Coordinator (Technologist) Operating companies and engineering consulting companies may have in-house resources to coordinate electrical equipment and systems capital projects. Employees in these roles draw upon the fundamentals of electrical engineering principles and design learned in post-secondary education programs, along with other related experience. Responsibilities include: Coordinating construction and modifications during electrical upgrades to existing facilities, equipment and systems; Redlining (noting changes to) as-built drawings and ensuring final versions are prepared by the electrical designers and are available in field locations; Coordinating Electrical Engineering and Construction Contractors, scheduling the work, procuring major equipment, arranging for electrical permits and inspections; ensuring that any electrical deficiencies are corrected and permits are closed out; Working closely with other project staff to coordinate activities and ensure project costs are tracked and controlled; and Providing assistance in developing and training staff on new electrical workplace safety guidelines. Electrical Designer (Technologist) Electrical Designers typically have backgrounds in Electrical Engineering Technology or Engineering Design and Drafting Technology, and apply drafting skills in the design of electrical systems, equipment and controls during any or all phases of a construction project (see Figure 5). Roles and responsibilities may include: Using modeling software to develop two and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) drawing packages based on sketches, notes, mark-ups and specifications furnished by Engineers, other Designers and Surveyors (for a demonstration of one type of electrical software, go to www.cadpipe.com); Designing layouts, schematics, diagrams, schedules and installation details; Calculating size conductors, starters, breakers, disconnects, fuses, cable sizing and voltage drop, electrical heat trace, etc.; Analyzing drawings to determine materials required for design (material take-off) and preparing a bill of materials (BOM) for use in requisitions and purchase orders; Ensuring consistency and integrity of electrical design, e.g. logic, functionality and completeness; and Participating in interdisciplinary reviews and resolution of issues. November 2009 Page 11 of 23
Conceptual Engineering Front End Engineering Design (FEED) Detailed Design Pre- Commissioning Commissioning (Put into Operation) Decommissioning Figure 5: Phases of an engineering construction project. Electrical Technologist Estimator Electrical Estimators, like their counterparts in other disciplines, use specialized software to estimate electrical work during stages of engineering projects such as plant shut downs, tie-ins and facility expansions. Estimates may include: Order of magnitude estimates (used to establish preliminary feasibility of a project); Conceptual estimates (generated from preliminary engineering information in the form of item lists, rough sketches, and material specifications and used for the initial cost control and trending for projects); and Detailed project estimates for electrical components (developed from quoted equipment and material take-offs). Responsibilities include: Preparing estimates of probable costs of electrical materials, labour, subcontractor s costs and equipment for construction projects based on design drawings, bids, quotations, schematic drawings, specifications and business needs; Working closely with other team members to manage the project s scope, cost and schedule; and Conducting cost studies to assist in selection of economical designs. For more information on the estimating function, see the Occupation Profile for Cost Engineer at www.petrohrsc.ca. November 2009 Page 12 of 23
Electrical Technologist Control Systems and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer Employers may hire individuals with electrical and/or instrumentation technology backgrounds to work with industrial control systems that monitor and manage pressure, temperature, flow, volume, level, density and viscosity aspects of their operations. These individuals may have roles that are office or field-based and involve some or all of the following responsibilities: Programming, testing and trouble-shooting process control equipment and system components such as human machine interfaces, software and hardware configuration of PLC systems, variable frequency drives and communication networks; Repairing, installing, troubleshooting 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.; Developing and scheduling preventative maintenance programs, administering service contracts and coordinating third-party contractors; Ensuring system integrity through backup and restore and disaster recovery processes and procedures; and 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. For more information on automation functions within the industry, see the Occupation Profile for Automation Engineer at www.petrohrsc.ca Technical Sales Representative and Account Manager Electrical Equipment Suppliers and Distributors Individuals in technical sales roles sell electrical equipment, software and systems to clients in the industry). Depending on the size of the organization they may also be involved in hands-on production and acceptance testing of the products they sell. Responsibilities include some or all of the following: Providing technical expertise on the specifications, design, fabrication, installation, testing, operation and troubleshooting of electrical-related products and services; Building relationships with customers; promoting products and services through customer training and demonstrations, doing after sales follow-ups and handling complaints; Developing bids, quotes and reporting on customer projects and quotations, sales calls and activities; and Designing test equipment and procedures and performing acceptance tests. November 2009 Page 13 of 23
Minimum Qualifications for Entry Education and Experience A completed post-secondary diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology (or the equivalent, such as Design and Drafting) is the minimum requirement for an Electrical Engineering Technologist. These two or three-year diploma programs are typically completed on a full-time basis. The minimum requirement for an Electrical Technician is typically a one-year certificate from a recognized technical school, which can be completed on a part-time basis a full list of the nationally accredited programs is available at www.cctt.ca. Related fields include electrical technology, electronics technology, drafting technology, mechanical technology, petroleum engineering technology and mining engineering technology. For more information about the differences between Technicians and Technologists, go to the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) website at www.aset.ab.ca. Certification Individuals may be granted certification by provincial associations of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT). Links to the provincial associations are available on the CCTT website at www.cctt.ca. Following are examples from the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) website: With two or more years of acceptable technician experience, a person can pursue a Certified Technician (CTech) status, which requires a certificate from an accredited technician program, or equivalent, plus three professional references and a professional practice exam. This credential is a registered trademark and may only be used by those individuals who have achieved it and who remain in good standing with their provincial association. Certified Technologist (C.E.T.) certification is possible if a person meets the minimum national standards for certification as a technologist, e.g. graduation from an accredited two or three-year program (or equivalent), plus two years of acceptable technologist experience, three professional references and a professional practice examination covering ethics and Alberta law. November 2009 Page 14 of 23
Registered Engineering Technologist (R.E.T.) is possible if the person meets the minimum standards (Alberta only) for registration, which include prior C.E.T. certification, plus four years of senior-level work experience within an engineering team, plus three professional references and a professional practice examination. Registered Professional Technologist Engineering (R.P.T. (Eng)) credential is available from the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. In order to qualify, the applicant must be an active R.E.T. member, have a minimum of six years of senior experience (two of which have been under the supervision of a P.Eng.), and be able to prove they have the ability to practice independently. The applicant will also need to define or describe the specified scope of practice for which they wish the R.P.T. (Eng.) designation to apply. More information is available at www.aset.ab.ca. Credentials are transferable across Canada since all provinces use the same national standards for certification. The designations are now recognized under the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), making mobility between Canada and U.S. possible. In many cases, certified members may also transfer their credentials overseas. For more information about national competency standards in 14 applied science and engineering technology disciplines, go to the CCTT website at www.cctt.ca. A Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) designation is considered an asset for Electrical Technologist Estimators. For more information go to the Quantity Surveyors of British Columbia website at www.qsbc.ca. Characteristics and Nature of this Occupation A career in Electrical Engineering will appeal to individuals with the following attributes, interests and preferences: Are interested in all things electrical and curious about how things fit together and operate; Display great attention to detail; Enjoy problem solving taking a methodical approach to analyzing problems and finding innovative solutions; Are willing to take direction and show initiative; Thrive on continual deadlines; Are able to see an object and look at it in different ways; and Have the ability to adapt to changes and adopt new ideas. November 2009 Page 15 of 23
As a general rule: Individuals may be drawn to a technician or electrician role if they enjoy working with tools, computers, instruments and machinery to complete tasks requiring precision; and Individuals may be drawn to a technologist role if they enjoy drafting 2D and 3D drawings, project management and the bigger picture aspects of electrical operations. Regional Considerations The nature of Electrical Engineering Technology roles will vary based on the setting in which the person works. For example, operating environments in the oil sands are very different from offshore and conventional gas processing plants and production facilities. People in this occupation can work in just about any region in Canada. Other Work-Related Conditions Successful candidates may be required to pass a criminal record check before commencing employment. The workplaces of Electrical Technologists and Technicians are varied, depending on the type of work they do. Some may work in offices at operator or engineer consulting firms, others at plant sites, fabrication shops and field or construction sites. Many Electrical Engineering Technologists work regular hours in engineering, consulting or sales offices. Others work shifts in industrial complexes, power generating facilities, substations and construction sites. Individuals must follow safety procedures to avoid injury or death from electrical shock. Overtime and/or on-call rotations may be required to meet deadlines. In some jobs, lifting up to 20 kilograms is required. Individuals will work with multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced environments where there is pressure to produce quality work in tight timelines. November 2009 Page 16 of 23
Key Competencies and Related Training and Development Competencies Key competencies for this Occupation Profile are listed below. Business Technical Enabling Understand the fundamentals of the oil and gas industry and the working environment; Follow established employer policies, practices and expectations; Familiar with different stages of Engineering, Procurement Construction Management (EPCM) projects, electrical construction contract documents, requests for quotations and purchase orders; and Work according to applicable guidelines, directives and regulations with regards to the environment, safety, Canadian Electrical Code and provincial and territory safety regulations. Knowledge of electrical systems and basic concepts; Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy are critical; Project management; Computer Literate knowledge of PC software, networks and internet related technologies; use of Microsoft Office ; and in some roles, drafting, modeling and estimating software. Examples include: 2D/3D computer-aided design (CAD) and computer assisted engineering (CAE) programs such as AutoCAD, Autoplant, Smartplant, MicroStation, PDS, ETAP, ProCAD, CADWorx Rebis, Intools, Intergraph Process, Power and Marine (PPM) used in the design, construction and operation of plants, ships and offshore facilities; and Produce an excellent quality product, on-time and on budget. Well developed verbal and written communication skills; Ability to follow specific processes and instructions and/or work independently; Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment; November 2009 Page 17 of 23
Willingness to go the extra mile and work collaboratively with others; and Proven aptitude to effectively manage multiple tasks and changing priorities, often under pressure and within time constraints. The most important Essential Skills for select positions are available on the federal government website located at www.hrsdc.gc.ca. Simply apply the NOC codes noted in the first section of this profile to use the search feature on the website. The most important Essential Skills for Drafting Technologists and Technicians are document use, decision making and computer use. Training and Development A full list of the nationally accredited programs is available on the CCTT website at www.cctt.ca. Once hired, it is essential that technologists and technicians stay current in their area of expertise. Many companies provide internal courses for that purpose and/or support attendance at courses offered by technology vendors, professional associations, industry associations and various educational institutions. Work Opportunities and Typical Career Path Career Advancement and Occupational Options A list of the nationally accredited programs is available on the CCTT website at www.cctt.ca. Electrical Technologists and Technicians progress through junior, intermediate and senior levels, doing increasingly complex work as they gain experience and hone related skills (see Table 1). Table 1: Career advancement. LEVEL OF ROLE Junior Intermediate Senior GENERAL DESCRIPTION An entry level position, where a recently certified person would start. Experienced with good working knowledge of the industry. Typically five to 15 years experience. Highly experienced with broad knowledge of the industry and in-depth knowledge of exploration. November 2009 Page 18 of 23
Working in a larger organization often provides opportunities for developing in-depth specialized expertise as an Electrical Engineering Technologist and Technician. A great deal of learning happens on the job. Most work environments provide lots of challenge and opportunities to problem-solve and learn from colleagues. Some companies mention their commitment to providing training and development to facilitate career growth in recruitment information. Many people tend to stay in this occupation for their entire career, periodically changing companies for new and different experiences. Individuals will be able to change roles to both grow and pursue different opportunities throughout their careers in Canada and internationally. If further career advancement is important to an individual, he or she can choose to pursue an Engineering degree. Employment Outlook The oil and gas industry is key to Canada s economy and with many people retiring over the coming decade, the industry is expected to hire for years to come. The number of people retiring already outnumbers those joining the industry today. The Petroleum Human Resources Council has generated medium to long-term industry validated labour market information that forecasts employment demand to 2020 for exploration, development, production, service industries, pipeline transmission, gas processing and mining, and extracting and upgrading heavy oil (in situ) and bitumen. Overall, oil sands operations are expected to provide the most new employment opportunities, while conventional oil and gas activity is projected to decrease over time and not return to the peak experienced in 2006. In addition, the service and pipeline sectors are expected to provide increasing support to the heavy oil (in situ) extraction within the oil sands. Workplaces and Employers in the Petroleum Industry Electrical Engineering Technologists and Technicians are employed by: Oil and gas operators; Engineering and project management consultants; Contractors and construction firms; Suppliers and distributors of electrical equipment; and Federal, provincial, territory and municipal levels of government. November 2009 Page 19 of 23
Compensation: Wages, Salaries and Other Typical Remuneration Compensation within the oil and gas industry is competitive when compared to similar jobs in other sectors, particularly for technical disciplines. A summary of published information links can be found at www.careersinoilandgas.com. Published information can also be found via the following sources: ASET s Salary Survey can be found at www.aset.ab.ca. It includes information such as: minimum average basic salaries, average overtime earnings and average bonus earnings reports by participating members in junior, intermediate, specialist, team leader and senior or manager roles; The Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia also publishes a compensation survey at www.asttbc.org that reports median salaries by registration categories, technology, years of experience and other criteria; and The Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador publishes a salary survey that is accessible to members at www.aettn.com. Extra Information Related Web Links Table 2: Related web links. SOURCE DESCRIPTION URL LINK Canadian Centre for Energy Information Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) Provides information on the energy industry including a glossary of terms. Provides information such as descriptions of Technologist and Technician occupations and national technology benchmarks; and Provides direct links to all provincial associations. www.centreforenergy.com www.cctt.ca November 2009 Page 20 of 23
SOURCE DESCRIPTION URL LINK Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) Canadian Technology Human Resources Board (CTHRB) Engineering Directory Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) Job Futures National Edition Offshore Technology A federation of provincial and territorial electrical contractor groups and undertakes to represent electrical contractors at the national level. This organization develops career awareness products to educate young people about the wide variety of occupations in the technology sector; develops and maintains technology standards and provides assistance to technology organizations to identify and resolve their human resources issues and concerns. A list of engineering companies and contact information Calgary, Perth and the U.S. Provides a National Occupation Classification (NOC) description that includes main responsibilities, example titles, employment requirements, additional information and links to similar occupations. Links to employment information Canada. Provinces and Territories. A procurement and reference portal for the international upstream oil and gas industry; lots of photos of equipment used in offshore operations. www.ceca.org www.cthrb.ca www.mikelaing.com www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca www.jobfutures.ca www.offshore-technology.com November 2009 Page 21 of 23
SOURCE DESCRIPTION URL LINK Provincial Government Profiles Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada Alberta; B.C.; and Ontario. This website provides information and resources on human resources issues facing the oil and gas industry including the Occupation Profiles Library; The site also includes an information package called Careers in Oil and Gas: Rich with Potential ; and www.alis.gov.ab.ca www.workfutures.bc.ca www.ontariojobfutures.ca www.petrohrsc.ca The Careers in Oil and Gas website provides information about the industry, job search tips and other career management information. www.careersinoilandgas.com The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) Outlines the difference between Technicians and Technologists in text and chart form. www.aset.ab.ca The Association For Technology Professionals in British Columbia TechWorks! Website that includes career pathways and profiles for technologies in areas of Gas and Petroleum Technology. www.technworks.asttbc.org http://handson.workfutures.bc.ca November 2009 Page 22 of 23
Something to Think About and Helpful Tips Students, parents, career counselors and others who are interested in obtaining more information about the Electrical Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation may find it useful to: Attend career fairs hosted by employers who offer jobs and careers in this occupation and review their websites; Contact educational institutions that provide related post-secondary programs to find out what a specific program entails, the skills a person will learn, what companies typically hire graduates and feedback from students experiences with co-op programs; and Review websites of industry and professional associations. Individuals are also encouraged to participate in: National Technology Week which is held each November and offers a host of activities along with interactive and fun resources to help students, teachers and parents explore technical careers; National Engineering and Geoscience Week, go to www.apegga.org; Read issues of the magazine, Electricity Today, which can be downloaded at www.electricity-today.com, Electrical Source found at www.electrical-source.com, and the Electrical Construction and Maintenance (EC&M) magazine at http://ecmweb.com/about; Search online for sites of electrical engineering drafting, design and estimating software and try out demos if possible; and Read up on the oil and gas industry. Potential Electrical Engineering Technologist or Technician should consider acquiring skills and knowledge in the competency areas outlined in this Occupation Profile. This may include taking high school or technical college subjects that are relevant, e.g. English, mathematics, chemistry, physics and computers. November 2009 Page 23 of 23