Industry-approved instrumentation and automation training
In the Instrumentation Engineering Technology program, you can expect to gain the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in instrumentation technology. The program involves detailed studies of the principles and application of pneumatic, electronic, and microcomputer measurement and control systems.
Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and a hands-on approach to learning provide students with job-ready experience.
Skills you will acquire
Over the course of the program, you will learn how to:
- Apply principles of process control to analyze and optimize the performance of industrial processes.
- Install and maintain process instruments.
- Install and maintain analytical instruments and sampling systems.
- Configure and troubleshoot industrial controllers.
- Install, program and troubleshoot industrial controllers.
- Design and specify measurement, safety and control systems for industrial applications.
- Use computer hardware and software relevant to instrumentation.
- Work in a safe and professional manner following regulatory and industry specific work practices.
- Communicate effectively through written and verbal means.
- Use tools appropriate to the instrumentation field in a safe and effective matter.
- Participate as a member of an effective team
Practicum/Co-op/Work Experience
Students may be eligible to participate in a 4 or 8 month co-op placement once they complete all level 1 courses, and before they complete all the level 2 courses. Successful co-op students work in a program-related industry position and gain advanced job-readiness skills. Acceptance into our co-op program is based on successful completion of first term coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.7.
- Length: 1 or 2 semesters
- Salary: Determined by participating employers
- Dates: May to August, January to August, or May to December
For more information about our co-op program, please contact IET-Coop@nait.ca.
Career Outcomes
Job Opportunities
- Application Engineering Technologist
- Automated Systems Specialist
- Control Systems Integrator
- Field Service Technologist
- Instrumentation & Controls Designer
- Maintenance Planner
- PLC/HMI Programmer
- Technical Sales
- Testing and Commissioning Technologist
Industries
- Engineering firms
- Automation equipment and services providers
- Building automation and HVAC
- Power, gas, and water utilities
- Manufacturing and processing plants
- Energy producers
- Mining companies
Median Starting Salary
The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Instrumentation Engineering Technology Diploma is $58,445.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.
Grad Employment Rate
Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.
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Take your career planning to the next level
This program can be used as a step toward earning higher credentials and/or certifications.
Further education at NAIT
Once you complete your credential, explore the programs below to specialize further or develop management skills.
Apprenticeship
After graduation and required work experience, you may also be eligible for the following professional designations:
- Instrumentation Technician Journeyman: This certification may be obtained after indentured field experience and appropriate qualification exams are completed
Certification(s)
After graduation and required work experience, you may be eligible for the following professional designations:
- Certified Engineering Technologist (CET): Graduates may seek certification through ASET after 2 years of suitable work experience
- Professional Technologist (P.Tech): Graduates may seek certification through ASET once further qualifications are met
Other Opportunities
Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca.
Build your resume before you even graduate
Explore work experience opportunities that help grads get hired even sooner.
View Work Integrated Learning
Work Experience Placements
Students in this program gain valuable work experience with Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning.
Courses and Advanced Credit
Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.
Advanced Credit
You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).
Transfer Credit
In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:
- You must have completed the course or program no more than 7 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
- You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program
- The mark required for a course credit may be higher than that of a passing grade submitted for credit and will depend on rigor and outcome similarity to our course.
- The 7 year time limit may vary depending on technology changes and outcome retention in the decision of receiving such credit.
Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)
Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.
Tuition & Fees
This content is specific to the selected Sep 03, 2024 intake.
The tuition and fee amounts are estimates based on current academic year's rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.
Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)
Level 1 Term 1: $2,200
Level 1 Term 2: $2,200
Level 2 Term 1: $800
Level 2 Term 2: $800
Scholarships & Awards
NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!
Learn how to apply for awards
Admission Requirements
Minimum entrance requirements
The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.
Additional requirements & considerations
Alternative entrance pathways
If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.
Recommended courses
The following course(s) are recommended, as they provide important background for your program's content. Recommended courses are not required for admission and will not affect your application.
Post-admission requirements
Although not required for admission, you must meet the following requirement(s) in order to progress in your program.
Additional options
This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.
Learn more about Open Studies
Dates & Deadlines
International
Applications Open:
Please contact the program area for more information.
International
Applications Deadline:
Please contact the program area for more information.
Domestic
Applications Open:
Please contact the program area for more information.
Application Deadline:
Please contact the program area for more information.
Term Start Date:
Please contact the program area for more information.
International Applicants
This program accepts international students.
PGWP Eligibility
This program does not meet eligibility criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) field of study requirement. Students who applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024, are not affected by the new field of study rule and may be eligible for a PGWP.
While graduates are currently ineligible to apply for a PGWP, NAIT still welcomes international students to this program to gain valuable knowledge and skills to pursue your career goals, whether in Canada under another type of permit or in your home country or other international markets.
Co-Op Work Permit
Mandatory Co-op: This program has a mandatory work-integrated learning component. International students must apply for a co-op work permit and have it approved before the start of their work placement.
Optional Co-op: Students in this program can choose to move into a co-op pathway, which includes a mandatory co-op work practicum. International students who plan to participate in this option must apply for a co-op work permit and get approval before starting the work placement.
Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.
Pathway to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility and $10,000 Award
International students who complete the Instrumentation Engineering Technology program and meet all GPA entrance requirements can transition into NAIT’s 2-year Bachelor of Technology in Management (BTech) degree program and recieve a $10,000 award to support your studies. Graduates of the BTech program are eligible to apply for a PGWP.
Learn about the BTech International Pathway
