Hiring Instrument Technicians
from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (U.K.) has a comprehensive system
of vocational education, training and certification based on
apprenticeship programs which operate throughout England, Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Comparable job title in the U.K.
„„ Instrument and Maintenance Control Technician
The trade is practised onshore in manufacturing, processing and
distribution and offshore in the petrochemical industry.
Industry trained, qualified and experienced Instrument and
Maintenance Control Technicians are a good match for Alberta
employers. There are no significant skills gaps and the scope of each
trade, as well as the technology, techniques and materials they use,
are similar.
Scope of occupation
Instrument and Maintenance Control Technicians:
„„ Measure, regulate and maintain gas and liquid flow, level,
pressure and temperature
Comparable qualifications in the U.K.
Instrument and Maintenance Control Technicians undertake a
structured and comprehensive training program by completing either:
Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Engineering
Construction - (Offshore)
The offshore apprenticeship requires the successful completion of:
„„ Three (3) years (6,240 hours) on-the-job training and experience
„„ A minimum of 24 months (2,400 hours) in school technical training
„„ On-the-job occupational competence in the trade tasks
„„ Three (3) externally set and marked theoretical exams
„„ Two (2) externally set and marked examinations in numeracy
and communications
„„ Training in employment rights and responsibilities
Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Engineering - (Onshore)
The onshore apprenticeship requires the successful completion of:
„„ Three (3) years (6,240 hours) on-the-job training and experience
„„ A minimum of nine (9) months (900 hours) in school
technical training
„„ On-the-job occupational competence in the trade tasks
„„ Three (3) externally set and marked theoretical exams
„„ Two (2) externally set and marked examinations in generic and
transferable numeracy and communications
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„„ Training in employment rights and responsibilities
Both apprenticeships are designed and developed by the
government licensed Sector Skills Council (SSC) in collaboration with
employers, technical training providers and awarding organizations
via the apprenticeship approvals committee.
The Engineering and Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) is
responsible for the Offshore Advanced Modern Apprenticeship. The
Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Training Authority (SEMTA)
is responsible for the Onshore Advanced Modern Apprenticeship.
Both apprenticeships were updated in September 2009.
Skill gaps
An Instrument and Maintenance Control Technician will have
sufficient knowledge and experience to work safely and productively
in the occupation in Alberta without remedial training. There are no
significant skills gaps.
Alberta employers should be clear about the role they wish to fill and
recruit Instrument and Control Maintenance Technicians from the
appropriate offshore or onshore U.K. industry.
Alberta employers should also consider whether an Instrument
and Maintenance Control Technician has experience working in
landscapes and climates similar to Alberta.
Alberta industry standards
Instrument and Maintenance Control Technicians from the U.K. must
apply to the Alberta Qualification Certificate Program in order to meet
Alberta’s industry standards. Applicants are responsible for ensuring
they have the documentation to support their application. For more
information about the program, see Alberta Apprenticeship and
Industry Training’s website at www.tradesecrets.alberta.ca.
Minimum work experience requirements
Employers must ensure potential recruits meet the minimum work
experience requirement of the Alberta Qualification Certificate
Program. The general requirement for the Instrument Technician
trade is 8,775 hours and 72 months of verifiable hands-on work
experience. If the applicant has completed an Instrument and
Maintenance Control Technician apprenticeship program in the U.K.
that is similar to the Alberta Instrument Technician apprenticeship
program, they may be eligible to receive some work experience
credit toward their Qualification Certificate Program requirements.