What does a Instrumentation & Control Technician (447A) do?

Instrumentation & Control Technicians install, repair, maintain, and calibrate industrial measuring and controlling instrumentation, helping to ensure that all machines in a plant are safe and running correctly. They may regulate equipment water flow or check air quality in a mine. Since the safe operation of the plant relies on these instruments, technicians must constantly monitor them.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • Consulting manuals; reading and interpreting circuit diagrams, blueprints, and schematics
  • Using testing devices to inspect/test instrument and system operation to diagnose faults
  • Writing maintenance reports
  • Repairing and adjusting system components, or removing and replacing defective parts
  • Calibrating components and instruments; performing scheduled preventive maintenance work
  • Installing control and measurement instruments on existing or new plant equipment
  • Observing safety in accordance with government and company standards

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

  • Grade 10 legal minimum, but employers often require secondary school diploma
  • While not mandatory, completion of an 8,000-hour apprenticeship, including a combination of on-the-job and in-school training, is recommended
  • This is a Red Seal trade

What's Your Future as a Instrumentation & Control Technician (447A)?

  • May be called in emergencies
  • Indoor work, mainly on plant floor and often in cramped conditions
  • Prolonged periods of standing; exposure to high noise, fumes, and heat levels
  • Employers include machinery wholesalers, industrial instrument or chemical manufacturers, steel producers, power companies, and mining/natural gas companies

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage increases with skills and expertise. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $33.00 per hour.

Self-Rating

Instrumentation and Control Technician (447A)

Ask Yourself: Yes No
Can you read and interpret blueprints and diagrams?
Do you enjoy problem-solving and coming up with a solution?
Do you have good communicating, verbal, and writing skills?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Do you thrive in busy situations?
Do you have an eye for details?
Are you reliable, a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision? Are you a team player?


If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as an Instrumentation and Control Technician may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

  • Industrial Mechanic Millwright
  • Electrical Instrument Mechanic
  • Electronics Technician

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