Description
Chemical technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in chemical engineering, chemical and biochemical research and analysis, industrial chemistry, chemical quality control and environmental protection. They are employed by research and development and quality control laboratories, consulting engineering companies, in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and a variety of other manufacturing and processing industries, and by utilities, health, educational and government establishments.
Job Titles
- Biochemistry laboratory technologist
- Biochemistry technologist
- Chemical laboratory technologist
- Chemical processing quality control technologist
- Chemical research technologist
- Chemical technologist
- Crime scene examiner
- Food processing quality control technologist
- Food technologist
- Forest products technologist
- Quality control technologist – chemical processing
- Quality control technologist – food processing
- Textile colour technologist
Main Duties
- Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation techniques and microscopy
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas or liquid, reagents, and sample formulations
- Compile records and interpret experimental or analytical results
- Develop and conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates and products
- Assist in the development of chemical engineering processes, studies of chemical engineering procurement, construction, inspection and maintenance and the development of standards, procedures and health and safety measures
- Operate experimental chemical or petrochemical pilot plants
- Conduct or assist in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and development of and compliance with standards
- Assist in synthesis of small molecules for the purpose of creating drug candidates
- Assist in the design and fabrication of experimental apparatus.
Workplaces
- Chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical companies
- Consulting engineering companies
- Manufacturing industries
- Processing industries
- Quality control laboratories
- Research and development laboratories
- Utilities, health, education and government establishments
Skills
- Equipment and Tool Selection
- Critical Thinking
- Evaluation
- Numeracy
- Operation and Control
Abilities
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Categorization Flexibility
- Deductive Reasoning
- Fluency of Ideas
- Inductive Reasoning
Personal Attributes
- Active Learning
- Adaptability
- Analytical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Independence
Similar Occupations
- Medical laboratory biochemistry technologist (in 32120.00 Medical laboratory technologists)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be moderate for Chemical technologists and technicians (22100) in Prince Edward Island for the 2022-2024 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
The prospect for employment for chemical technologists and technicians is positive given ongoing growth in the Island’s bioscience sector. Recent developments, like the construction of the biomanufacturing training facility and bioscience manufacturing incubator; and new federal-provincial investment in the BioAccelerator project (to be used for research, manufacturing and training), will further position the sector for growth over the forecast period.
Most of the employment opportunities occur in the bioscience sector on the Island. Employers may prefer candidates with experience in a lab setting. Technologists and technicians with experience in specific disciplines, such as petroleum testing, water sanitation, food processing, and pharmaceutical development, may have better prospects.
Here are some key facts about Chemical technologists and technicians in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Chemical technologists and technicians mainly work in the following sectors:
- Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 75%
- Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 9%
- Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 8%
- Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 6%
- 61% of chemical technologists and technicians work all year, while 39% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 54% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: 46% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: n/a
- high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 13% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 57% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: 8% compared to 17% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 17% compared to 8% for all occupations
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $19.00 | $22.68 | $49.45 |
| Canada | $19.00 | $26.80 | $42.95 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.