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Communication Technician
NOC code(s): 7246

Interest code(s): O I M

Communication technicians install, repair and maintain telecommunication systems.

Also Known As
Cable Splicer, Switcher
Communication Technician
(5:37)
Apprenticeship

Regulated Occupation

Full Profile
Duties
Communication technicians install, maintain, test and repair:
wiring or cable networks
consumer or business communication equipment
specialized equipment such as intercoms and computer networks (wired and wireless)
toll and switching equipment
other equipment related to the transmission and processing of voice, video signals and other data over fibre optic, microwave, radio, satellite and other
telecommunications media.
They may work in residential, commercial or industrial settings, or specialize in installing or servicing certain types of telecommunication system components. They may be
primarily involved in:
installing, terminating and testing copper and fibre optic conductors and cables
laying out and installing raceways and supporting framework
installing, commissioning, maintaining and trouble shooting communications equipment
using codes and standards to guide the installation of communication equipment
interpreting communications systems drawings to guide the installation of communication equipment
installing residential cable systems.
Duties and responsibilities can vary considerably from one position to another. For example, communication technicians primarily involved in installing residential cable:
check work orders and talk to cable subscribers to determine where to hook up, disconnect or relocate cable outlets
string cable from a utility pole, underground box or satellite dish if necessary
install jacks, terminal boxes, splitters, converters, decoders, satellite and television equipment, and other cable hardware and systems
install cable modems and software
test installed systems and equipment on the subscriber's premises
promote additional services offered by their company
keep records of work performed at each site
operate and maintain vehicles, tools and equipment.
Those primarily involved in servicing residential cable systems focus on trouble shooting problems when they arise.
To perform their duties, communication technicians must be:
able to use hand tools and testing equipment, such as optical time domain reflectomete (OTDR), Ethernet and radio frequency sweep testing equipment
certified in the products they support
familiar with different program configurations and components
able to troubleshoot faults and isolate defective components

Working Conditions
Working conditions vary considerably in this occupation. Communication technicians may work indoors or outdoors, and often travel to several work sites in a day. They
generally work a standard 35 to 40 hour week, but may have to work some overtime, particularly when weather conditions or other events disrupt cable or telephone service.
Shift work may be required.
Stringing cable from utility poles may involve climbing and balancing on an aerial platform or pole in all types of weather conditions. Communication technicians must observe

safety precautions to reduce the risk of injury from electrical shocks, falls or hazards associated with cable splicing.

Personal Characteristics
Communication technicians need the following characteristics:
mechanical ability
mathematical ability
analytical ability
the communication and interpersonal skills required to maintain harmony with subscribers and work colleagues
the ability to work and solve problems independently
good colour vision, manual dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination
the ability to climb poles and ladders while carrying tools and equipment
an ongoing interest in keeping up to date with changes in technology.
Those who work in customers' homes and businesses must be courteous, tactful and adaptable.
Communication technicians should enjoy operating tools and test equipment, diagnosing technical problems and working with people.

Educational Requirements
To work in Alberta, a communication technician may be ONE of the following:
a registered apprentice
an Alberta-certified journeyperson
someone who holds a recognized related trade certificate
someone who works for an employer who is satisfied that the worker has the skills and knowledge expected of certified journeyperson
self-employed.
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

, apprentices must:

have an Alberta high school transcript with at least English Language Arts 20-2, Math 20-3 and Science 10, or equivalent, or pass an entrance exam.
find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates. Courses in math and physics are
particularly important.
The term of apprenticeship is four years (four 12 month periods) that include a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training each year plus:
six weeks of technical training in each of the three years
eight weeks of technical training in the fourth year.
High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for credit or certification.
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton.
For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre

on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
Click on the banner below to see the list of schools.

Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers (NOC 7246)

Apprenticeship Trades

NAIT

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Certification Requirements
This is an Apprenticeship trade. For full details, see the related certification profile

Employment and Advancement

Above average is the expected occupational growth in Alberta for 2013-2017. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
Communication technicians are employed by communication and cable companies that install, maintain, sell, rent or lease communications equipment, or install private
communications systems. The communications industry as a whole is experiencing ongoing expansion.
Experienced communication technicians may advance to supervisory positions, change to other craft areas, or retrain and transfer to other departments such as sales or
engineering. Alberta certified journeyperson communication technicians who have the supervisory or management skills required by industry may apply for an Achievement in
Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Communication technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7246: Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers. In Alberta, 80% of
people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
Information, Culture and Recreation
Construction
Retail Trade

The employment outlook

in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
size of the occupation.
Over 2,800 Albertans are employed in the Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers occupational group which is expected to have an annual above average growth
of 2.7% from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta. It is forecasted that about 76 new positions will be created each year in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. (Note:
Since communication technicians form only a part of the larger occupational group on which this forecast is based, only a portion of the new positions created will be for
communication technicians.)
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage and Salary

Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $25 to $38 an hour plus benefits (2014 estimates) depending on the level of technical expertise required. Apprentice
communication technicians earn at least 40%t of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 50% in the second, 60% in the third and 75% in the
fourth.
In additional to hourly wages, residential cable installers earn commissions for the extra services they sell.

Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers (NOC 7246)

According to the 2013 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in this occupational group earned on average from $21.38 to $35.88 an hour. The overall average wage for
this group was $28.13 an hour.
Average Hours Worked (per week)

41.6

Overall Average Wage (per hour)

$28.13

Overall Average Salary (annual)*, Alberta

$60,955.00

* Rounded to the nearest dollar

Hourly Wage
(For full-time and part-time employees)
th

th

Wages*

Low (5
percentile)

High (95
percentile)

Average

Median

Starting

$15.00

$40.00

$21.38

$18.00

Overall

$20.00

$40.00

$28.13

$26.43

Top

$24.00

$53.00

$35.88

$35.00

Data
Reliability

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other
forms of compensation.

Skills Shortage
% of Employers that Recruited in the Last Two Years

73%

% of Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties

52%

% of Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over Four Months

15%

2013 Vacancy Rate

3%

Industry Information
The following is a list of industries within the specific occupation.
Industry

Average Salary

ALBERTA, ALL INDUSTRIES

$60,955.00

Construction

$59,693.00

Information, Culture, Recreation

$59,567.00

Notes
In some instances, anomalies have occurred as a result of the occurrence of outliers or employers not responding to all the survey questions. In most cases, the
inconsistency is fairly small and within the margin of error for the survey. For some occupations, outliers have been suppressed and the averages have been recalculated. For
some wage levels for other occupations the information has been entirely suppressed. N/A is listed in instances where no information is available.

These wage estimates include employees in companies which were believed to have 8 or more employees, from the public and private sector and include full and part-time
employees. Average wages were weighted by the number of employees and post-stratification employer weighting.

Survey Methodology

Survey Analysis

Related High School Subjects

Science
Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation
Electro-Technologies

Related Post-Secondary Fields of Study

Trades, Industrial and Related Training

Other Sources of Information

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Alberta Construction Industry "Trade Up!" website: www.tradeupalberta.com
Calgary Construction Association website: www.cca.cc
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free
at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.

Related Occupations:
Electrician
Instrument Technician
Power System Electrician
Powerline Technician

The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you
confirm this information before making any career decisions.

The Government of Alberta is working in partnership with the Government of Canada to provide employment support programs and services.