Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
Career Overview
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians provide technical support and services in the design, development, testing, production and operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems.
People in this career should have a solid ability in science, math and programming, and practical, hands-on skills in system design and assembly. They should be precise and detailed, skilled at problem solving and able to clearly communicate technical information. It’s important to have knowledge of a range of electrical and electronics codes and standards related to their work. In this job, individuals may need to work on their own or as a part of a team.
Job Titles
Duties
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists:
- Specify, design, develop and test power equipment and systems, industrial process control systems and instrumentation, telecommunication, broadcast, recording and audiovisual systems, micro-electronic systems and circuits, computers, computer systems and networks, and computer software
- Specify, design, analyze and install renewable and sustainable energy resource systems
- Supervise the building and testing of prototypes according to general instructions and established codes and standards
- Conduct or supervise the installation, commissioning and operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems other than aircraft electronics or instruments
- Carry out applied research in fields of electrical and electronic engineering and physics under the direction of scientists or engineers
- Set up and operate test equipment to diagnose, test and analyze the performance of electrical and electronic components, assemblies and systems
- Write specifications, schedules and technical reports and control schedules and budgets
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians:
- Help in the design, development and testing of electrical and electronic components, equipment and systems
- Lead or assist in inspection, testing, adjusting and evaluation of incoming electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic components and assemblies to conform with product specifications and tolerances
- Conduct life tests on assemblies as well as record and analyze results
- Help build and test prototypes to specifications
- Carry out a limited range of technical functions in support of research in electrical and electronic engineering and physics
- Install, operate and maintain electrical and electronic equipment and systems
- Calibrate electrical or electronic equipment and instruments according to technical manuals and written instructions
- Collect and assemble operational or experimental data and assist in the preparation of estimates, schedules, budgets, specifications and reports
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
4,710% Employed Full Time
68%People in this job usually work a regular 40-hour week. Overtime may be required to complete projects on time or to repair critical machinery.
Technologists and technicians work indoors in offices, industrial complexes, production plants, power generation facilities and construction sites. Outdoor work may be needed at times and workers may be exposed to various weather conditions. Individuals need to be able to lift heavy objects. They must take safety precautions because they work with electrical equipment and machinery and may be exposed to toxic chemicals.
Career Pathways
Graduates of a college or polytechnical institute usually take entry level jobs with municipalities, communications and power utilities, equipment manufacturers and consulting engineering companies.
They may move into supervisory or management positions in engineering, production or operations with five to 10 years of experience. Individuals who have completed business courses may have better chances of being promoted to a management position.
People in this career may choose to specialize in related occupations, such as technical sales, electronics service technology, instrument technology and avionics technology.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Completion of a college diploma or a diploma of technology from a polytechnic institute is usually required. In B.C. professional certification or registration is not mandatory for this occupation; however, it increases employment opportunities and professional recognition. Registration is available through the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) and is transferable between provinces.
Technologist certification typically requires completion of a diploma program from an accredited institution and a minimum of two years of industry work experience. Technician certification requires completion of a shorter certificate program and a minimum of two years of industry work experience. Individuals may also get certified by successfully passing several exams.
Electronics technicians generally complete a “common core” program to gain basic electronics skills before entering a specialized training program, such as automation and robotics, computers, consumer electronics, telecommunications or other specializations.
Continuing technical education is necessary to remain current in the field. Individuals can look for additional training or it may be offered by employers or the industry.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Computer Engineering Related
- Diagnostic Technology & Related
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
4,710Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 100 | 2.1% |
| Kootenay | 110 | 2.3% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 3,110 | 66.0% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 50 | 1.1% |
| Northeast | 55 | 1.2% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 440 | 9.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 850 | 18.0% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
2,440Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 40 | 1.1% |
| Kootenay | 50 | 0.5% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,730 | 1.8% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 10 | 0.8% |
| Northeast | 30 | 1.9% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 240 | 1.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 340 | 0.9% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 570 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 370 |
| Manufacturing | 300 |
| Construction | 270 |
| Utilities | 190 |
Insights from Industry
Expanding infrastructure networks and support for communications services, such as cellular phones, wireless email and the Internet continue to provide employment opportunities.
Individuals work for electrical utilities, communications and biomedical engineering companies, manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment, consulting firms, government and in the manufacturing, processing and transportation industries.
People in this career need to keep up to date with recent advances in technology, codes and other regulations. They often need to take additional training or develop professionally. Workers who upgrade their skills have an advantage looking for work.
The industry is moving away from using fossil fuels and moving towards alternate energy sources. Workers with specialization in alternate energy and transportation fields will be in higher demand.
Resources
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Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC)www.asttbc.org
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Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of British Columbia (ACEC-BC)www.acec-bc.ca
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BC Tech Associationwww.wearebctech.com
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Engineering Technology Canadawww.engineeringtechnologycanada.ca/en/CTINlanding
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Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)www.ieee.org
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SkilledTradesBCskilledtradesbc.ca/
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Technology Professionals Canada (TPC)www.technologyprofessionals.ca
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of an electrical technologist is like.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of an electrical technologist is like.
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