Description of the Instrumentation and Control Technician trade

“Instrumentation and Control Technician” is this trade’s official Red Seal occupational title approved by the CCDA. This standard covers tasks performed by instrumentation and control technicians whose occupational title has been identified by some provinces and territories of Canada under the following names:

Red Seal occupational title
Occupational title NL NS PE NB QC ON MB SK AB BC NT YT NU
Instrumentation and Control Technician Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark        
Instrument Technician                     Check Mark    
Industrial Instrument Technician                         Check Mark
Industrial Instrument Mechanic                   Check Mark   Check Mark  

Instrumentation and control technicians are knowledgeable in measurement and automation of process control systems. Examples of industries that use process control systems are oil and gas refineries, power generation plants, pulp and paper mills, and manufacturing facilities.

Instrumentation and control technicians install and service a variety of systems including safety and security, energy delivery (hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical), communication, and process control systems. They also install and service measuring and indicating instruments to monitor process control variables, monitor the operation of equipment and measure the characteristics of the material within a process. Instrumentation and control technicians work with final control elements such as valves, actuators and positioners to manipulate the process medium. They install and terminate electrical, pneumatic and fluid connections. They may also work on network and signal transmission systems such as fibre-optic and wireless.

Along with the calibration, repair, adjustment and replacement of components, instrumentation and control technicians inspect and test the operation of instruments and systems to diagnose faults and verify repairs. They establish and optimize process control strategies, and configure related systems such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Instrumentation and control technicians maintain backups, documentation and software revisions as part of maintaining these computer-based control systems. Scheduled maintenance and the commissioning of systems are also important aspects of the work. Instrumentation and control technicians consult technical documentation, drawings, schematics and manuals. They may assist engineering in plant design, modification and hazard analysis, and work with plant operators to optimize plant controls.

Instrumentation and control technicians use hand and power tools, electronic test equipment and material handling equipment. They work on a range of instruments including primary control elements, transmitters, analyzers, sensors, detectors, signal conditioners, recorders, controllers and final control elements. These instruments measure and control variables such as pressure, flow, temperature, level, motion, force and chemical composition.

Instrumentation and control technicians work in various industrial sectors such as pulp and paper/fibre processing; food and beverage processing; pharmaceuticals processing; nuclear, thermal and hydropower generation; landfill/cogeneration; mining; petrochemical; pipeline; oil and gas; military; steel; water and wastewater treatment; medical instrumentation; manufacturing; and industrial/commercial instrument servicing.

When performing their duties, instrumentation and control technicians must comply with federal, jurisdictional, industrial and site-specific standards, codes and regulations. They install and commission new instrumentation systems according to these requirements. They contribute to keeping processes operating and equipment maintained within these set standards, codes and regulations. Keeping up‑to‑date with advances in technology in industry and in the trade is essential.

Instrumentation and control technicians may work in a variety of hazardous environments where they could be exposed to confined spaces, heights, noise, dust, cold and heat. There may also be risks working with chemicals, gases, electricity, radiation, laser equipment and substances under pressure. Instrumentation and control technicians are trained to identify hazards and work safely in these environments.

Key attributes for people entering this trade are manual dexterity, attention to detail, strong problem solving skills, ability to troubleshoot problems, communication skills, technological aptitude, and mathematical and scientific aptitude.

This standard recognizes similarities or overlaps with other tradespersons and professionals such as process operators, steamfitters/pipefitters, boilermakers, industrial mechanics (millwrights), electricians, information technology technicians and engineers.

With experience, instrumentation and control technicians may act as mentors and trainers to apprentices in the trade. They may also move into supervisory, design, advanced control, training, sales and other related positions.