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Description
Example Titles
Classified Elsewhere
Duties
Skills
Employment Requirements
Terms & Conditions
Earnings
Education / Training
Career Paths
Outlook
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies

Employment by Age Group
Employment by Industry
Employment by Region
Employment by Gender
Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
Employment by Visible Minority

Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians (NOC 2281)

Description

Computer and network operators establish, operate, maintain, and co-ordinate the use of local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs), mainframe networks, hardware, software and related computer equipment. Web technicians set up and maintain internet and intranet web sites and web server hardware and software, and monitor and optimize network connectivity and performance. They are employed in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors. Supervisors of computer and network operators and web technicians are included in this group.

Example Titles

computer operator
computer tape librarian
data centre operator
internet web site technician
LAN (local area network) administrator
LAN (local area network) technician
network administrator
network operator
network support technician
computer operators supervisor
system administrator
web technician

>> View all titles

Classified Elsewhere

Computer and Information Systems Managers (0213)
Computer Engineers (except Software Engineers) (2147)
Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers (2174)
Sales, Marketing and Advertising Managers (0611)
Systems Testing Technicians (2283)
Technical Support Analysts (2282)
Web Designers and Developers (2175)

Duties

Computer and network operators perform some or all of the following duties:

Maintain, troubleshoot and administer the use of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), mainframe networks and computer workstations and peripheral equipment
Evaluate and install computer hardware, networking software and operating system software
Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to co-ordinate access and use of computer networks
Load computer tapes and disks and install software and printer paper and forms
Provide problem-solving services to network users
Implement data, software and hardware security procedures
Perform routine network start up and close down and maintain control records
Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.

Web technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

Install, maintain, troubleshoot and upgrade web-server hardware and software
Set up local area networks and connections to the internet
Implement network traffic and security monitoring software, and optimize server performance
Modify web pages, applets and scripts
Research and apply meta-data to web sites and register web sites with search engines
Respond to requests for help and information from web site visitors and web site designers
Perform web-server backup and recovery operations.

Skills

Computer and network operators need the following characteristics:

an interest in the capabilities and technical aspects of computer technology
ability to think logically and to analyze complex problems
ability to remain calm in stressful circumstances
ability to work well with clients, vendors and co-workers
ability to express technical concepts clearly to people with no technical background
an interest in keeping up to date with new technology.

Employment Requirements

Completion of a college or university program in computer science, network administration, web technology or in a related field is usually required. Employers may require a certificate of training for some types of software or hardware.
Because technology in this field changes rapidly, recent graduates and persons with recent upgrading may have an advantage in finding employment.
Some employers may accept several years of experience in the field instead of college training.

Terms & Conditions

Computer and network operators and web technicians work in offices or computer rooms. Increasingly, they can work remotely from anywhere using personal communication devices, laptops, electronic mail, and the Internet. Computer and network operators may be required to work evening or night shifts and weekends. Some may be required to travel. Web technicians usually work regular business hours, but can set their own hours if they are self-employed or doing contract work.

Computer and network operators and web technicians spend a great deal of time in front of computer monitors and are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

In this occupation, the majority work full time (91%) and a small proportion are self-employed (4%).

Earnings

$30,200 per annum - starting

$48,900 per annum - average

$79,100 per annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

Education / Training

In Manitoba, many universities, colleges, technical vocational institutes and private vocational institutions offer post-secondary programs related to computer science and information technology. Several high schools offer related programs.

Career Paths

Individuals usually develop an interest and aptitude for this type of work through high school courses or through work on a computer system at home.

Computer operating, network support and web technician jobs are frequently entry-level positions for new graduates.

Advancement opportunities depend on the size of the organization and the qualifications required by the employer.

Experienced computer/network operators and web technicians may become supervisors, or advance to jobs as computer programmers, web designers, applications developers or interactive media developers. They may need further education or training to qualify for these positions.

Outlook

Employment prospects for computer and network operators and web technicians are expected to be good in the period 2010-2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 1,520.

The prevalence of computer networks in almost all medium and large workplaces will ensure an ongoing demand for technically qualified individuals. Demand for web technicians is expected to continue in line with the increasing commercial importance of the Internet as a primary product and service delivery channel. This occupation has a relatively large, mainly youthful supply base. In the future it is likely that more formal qualifications will be required as standards rise in a competitive environment. Those familiar with the administration of database-driven web sites, and secure sites (where financial and personal information is protected) will have an advantage when seeking employment.

There is an urban bias in the distribution of jobs across the Province, with 79% of employment located in Winnipeg. Computer and network operators and web technicians are found in all service sector and goods producing industries. The highest concentrations are in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (16%), Educational Services (12%), Public Administration(11%) and Manufacturing (11%).

Employment by Age Group

Employment by Industry

Employment by Region

Employment by Gender

Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification

Employment by Visible Minority

Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.

Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...

Association of Information Systems Professionals, 101-605 des Meurons, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2R1, (204) 237-6378
Canadian Information Processing Society, http://www.cips.ca/
Information and Communications Technology Association of Manitoba, http://ictam.ncsl.ca/
Canadian Information Processing Society, http://www.cips.ca