Graduates of the Computing Support program maintain a company's personal computers and peripherals. They install different types of equipment such as personal computers, laser or ink-jet printers, CD or DVD burners, or disk drives, so they must know different types of equipment, connections and wiring.
These specialists also install computer components, operating systems and software. They are experts in the various types of operating systems and they know each of their different versions. They sometimes do basic programming and manage computer networks and the access codes required for resource sharing. These workers play an important role within their companies. They have many responsibilities and a variety of duties. They are required to interact with many different people and to handle a multitude of requests. They must have good customer-service skills; they must know how to prioritize their work; and they must be able to handle stress.
Desirable Qualities and Skills
logical, methodical, analytical mind
aptitude for learning new technologies
manual dexterity
thoroughness, meticulousness and patience
bilingualism
Did you know?
To stay up-to-date, computer operators must continue learning on the job because software and operating systems develop at a phenomenal rate.
Persons holding a Secondary School Diploma (SSD) or its recognized equivalent are not subject to any additional admission requirements. OR Persons who are at least 16 years of age on September 30 of the school year in which their vocational training is to begin must meet the following additional admission requirement: they must have Secondary IV credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics, or have been granted recognition of equivalent learning. OR Persons who are at least 18 years of age must have the following functional prerequisites: they must pass a general development test (GDT) and have the specific prerequisites for the desired program (as stipulated in Schedule I of the Vocational Education Directives 2003-2004), or have been granted recognition of equivalent learning. OR Persons who have earned Secondary III credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in the programs of study established by the Minister must continue their general education courses concurrently with their vocational training in order to obtain the credits they are missing in the following areas: Secondary IV credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in the programs of study established by the Minister.
