What Do Technicians & Technologists Do?

THE ENGINEERING/APPLIED SCIENCE TEAM

Technicians and technologists may assume a  variety of duties. In terms of the "engineering team" approach, technicians and technologists may be defined as follows:

PROFILE OF A TECHNICIAN
  • assist in the design of equipment or systems: assist in the interpretation and preparation or modification of specifications, technical drawings or instructions; prepare estimates and supervise phases of major projects.
  • conduct tests; trouble-shoot equipment.
  • inspect construction projects; conduct tests, surveys or prepare estimates.
  • trouble-shoot, service, calibrate or supervise the repair or installation of equipment processes or products.
  • provide support for operations activities including supervision of operations or operation-related activities such as quality assurance, production control and maintenance.
  • provide support in laboratory environments by conducting experiments, conducting tests or servicing complex equipment; quality control.
 PROFILE OF A TECHNOLOGIST
  • design equipment, processes or systems; interpret and prepare specifications, technical drawings or instructions; prepare estimates and manage projects.
  • specific tests; trouble-shoot complex equipment; resolve production or construction problems; compile experimental data, or prepare reports.
  • supervise, train, coordinate and assume administrative responsibility for the work of others and participate in short and long range planning.
  • The technologist carries out studies, makes calculations, prepares or develops programs, provides instructions, or implements projects.

Technicians and technologists may work in a variety of environments. Depending on the discipline that they specialize in and the industry that they work in, technicians and technologists may find themselves outdoors in a site supervision or field service capacity. They may also find themselves indoors in a design office, research laboratory, or manufacturing facility.

Similarly, the nature of work can also be quite varied. In general, if a technician or a technologist were to work in an office, there would be no physical demands such as heavy lifting. However, for a technician or a technologist working on a construction site or shop floor of a manufacturing facility, strenuous physical activity may be a routine part of his or her job.

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