Overview
Gain industry experience
Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Power Engineering Technician program will give you the tools and knowledge you need to start out in this complex and exciting field. Power Engineers keep the heat on in winter and the lights on at night. They operate hospital fridges, industrial coolers, all types of boilers, compressors, generators, motors and more.You’ll learn the basics of power generation with practical training in boiler operations, electrical controls and instrumentation, maintenance and tool use. You’ll develop troubleshooting skills in practical labs, get boiler firing time in the power lab and industry work experience in your second term.
Although power engineering isn’t classified as a trade, it is government regulated and certified by the province where you live and work. It is divided into four levels of skills and training (First Class is the highest). A combination of work experience and course completions followed by rigorous interprovincial examinations allows an engineer to progress from one class to another.
You will study Fourth Class interprovincial standardized material as preparation to challenge the interprovincial Fourth Class Examinations. Graduates are eligible to challenge the provincial exam to obtain the Refrigeration Engineering Certificate required to operate large refrigeration plants in Saskatchewan. Graduates may go straight into the workforce or enroll in Third Class Power Engineering.
Why Parkland College?
“The benefits of having a power engineering program run locally through Parkland College can be measured in money and time but what cannot be quantified is the opportunity to go home after class. The advantage for a company like Louis Dreyfus Commodities, who participates in the work placement program, is to have first look at the students as potential employees. The last power engineer we hired learned his trade at Parkland College, and he is now training to obtain his Second Class license.” -Henry Bouchard Former Chief Engineer, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Yorkton
Tuition
Tuition & Course Info
- Tuition: $5,343.25
- **International students: Please refer to International Student Admissions for tuition information.
- Books & Materials: Approx. $3,500.00
- Fees: Approx. $1,726.00
- Length: 32 weeks
- Dates: September 11, 2023 – April 26, 2024
- Location: Trades and Technology Centre, Yorkton, SK
*Tuition costs and dates are subject to change up to 3 months prior to delivery.*
Courses
Courses
| CLTR 200 Culture & Diversity | |
| Your studies will focus on the many dimensions of culture and approaches to promoting inclusion and innovation. You will explore culture in Canadian society as it pertains to Indigenous and immigrant populations. You will also examine the correlation between culture and diversity. | |
| COMP 172 Intro to Word & Excel | |
| You will learn the purpose and uses of a word processor and electronic spreadsheet. You will develop the basic skills of creating, editing and formatting documents and spreadsheets. | |
| ENGP 103 Legislation and Codes | |
| You will review the various provincial, Canadian and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) legislation and codes related to the construction and operation of boilers, pressure vessels and refrigeration plants. | |
| ENGP 179 Applied Mechanics 1 | |
| You will receive an introduction to the field of mechanics. You will learn the quantities, units and principles involved in statics and dynamics. | |
| ENGP 180 Power Lab 1 | Equivalent Course(s): PROP 182 |
| You will learn the major components of a steam plant and participate in the start-up of the equipment which is similar to that used in industry. You will also perform water testing and chemical treatment. | |
| ENGP 181 Plant Maintenance 1 | Equivalent Course(s): MAT 120, MAT 122, MATH 182, TSYH 120 |
| You will learn about and practice the various types of maintenance required to keep plant equipment functioning in a safe workplace. | |
| ENGP 190 Boiler and Boiler Systems | |
| You will be introduced to boiler terminology, design, and operation. You will study the theory of combustion and feedwater control. | |
| MATH 299 Intermediate Algebra and Basic Trigonometry | |
| You will review the fundamentals of algebra and trigonometry. The course content includes algebraic operations on equations, problem solving, quadratic equations, systems of linear equations, areas, volumes and basic trigonometry. | |
| PROP 141 Process Simulations 1 | |
| You will be introduced to the operation of computer controlled systems used to operate plant equipment. You will have the opportunity to run a heat exchanger using simulation. | |
| SFTY 172 Safety | |
| You will receive general safety information related to power engineering. You will study the basic principles dealing with personal safety equipment, fire safety and WHMIS. You will learn about environmental pollutants and their methods of control. An overview of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods legislation will be discussed. Communication as it pertains to health and safety will be studied. A review of some of the occupational health hazards in industry and methods of prevention of incidents will be undertaken. | |
| STEA 184 Steam Generation 1 | |
| You will receive an introduction to boiler terminology, design, operation and government regulations and codes pertaining to boilers. | |
| TCOM 105 Communications for Technicians | Equivalent Course(s): COMM 127, TCOM 102, TCOM 105CE |
| You will learn and practice written, oral and interpersonal communication for the workplace. You will apply these skills as team members and in short presentations. You will also develop effective job search strategies. | |
| THER 185 Thermodynamics (Fourth Class) | |
| You will solve introductory problems related to the study of matter, thermodynamics, and chemistry. You will study heat and the modes, methods, and effects of heat transfer. | |
| WTER 182 Water Treatment 1 | |
| The course will introduce you to some of the basic methods utilized in power plants to prepare and maintain the water used in steam generation. | |
| ELEC 188 Basic Electricity 1 | Equivalent Course(s): ELEC 288, PHYS 224 |
| You will be introduced to the basics of DC and AC circuits and machines. You will use electrical metering devices, perform electrical calculations and describe the operation of transformers and electrical distribution systems. | |
| ENGP 178 Heating Systems 1 | |
| You will be introduced to heating boiler terminology, design, operation and government regulations. You will learn about various heating systems and the importance of building ventilation. You will also study auxiliary building systems. | |
| ENGP 183 Prime Movers | |
| Your studies will focus on the basics of steam and gas turbine construction and operation, internal combustion engines and steam engines used in industry. | |
| ENGP 186 Pumps, Compressors, and Lubrication | |
| You will receive an introduction to the characteristics and operation of pumps and compressors. Your studies will include a focus on lubrication, its properties, methods of application and importance to efficient equipment operation. | |
| ENGP 187 Power Lab 2 | Prerequisites: ENGP 180 Minimum Grade of 60 |
| You will practice your knowledge and skills to manipulate steam production for the purpose of operating turbines, heat exchangers, pumps and auxiliary fuel systems in a functioning high pressure steam lab. | |
| ENGP 188 Plant Maintenance 2 | Prerequisites: ENGP 181 Minimum Grade of 60 |
| You will practice your plant maintenance skills by performing tasks such as shaft alignment and boiler cleaning, maintenance and repair as well as studying the construction of piping systems. | |
| ENGP 191 Boiler Safety Devices | |
| You will study boiler and fittings code requirements. You will study the design and operation of boiler controls and safety devices. | |
| INST 182 Instrumentation | Corequisites: ELEC 188 |
| You will be introduced to the operation and application of control loops, control signals, actuators and control valves. You will study programmable logic control and the operation of boiler controls. | |
| PROP 198 Plant and Process Operations | |
| You will learn about industrial processes used to manufacture a variety of products. You will study the equipment used in these industrial processes. | |
| RFRG 183 Air Conditioning | Equivalent Course(s): AIR 288 |
| You will receive the information needed to operate and maintain a building’s air conditioning system. | |
| RFRG 195 Refrigeration Systems | Prerequisites: THER 182 Minimum Grade of 60 |
| The course provides an introduction to the principles of refrigeration used in power plants, including operation and maintenance procedures. | |
| WORK 185 Work Experience 1 | Prerequisites: SEM 101 Minimum Grade of 60 and SFTY 172 Minimum Grade of 60 |
| You will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the operation of a boiler in the workplace. You will study the impact of shift work on personal health and wellness. You will learn how to effectively manage the negative effects commonly associated with rotating shift work. This experience will help you relate theory you learned to an operational plant. It will also help you develop contacts for possible future employment. | |
Important Notes
Important Notes
- Students are responsible for transportation and accommodation.
- Power engineering lab time will be completed in Yorkton, SK at the Trades & Technology Centre.
- PPE required in shop and on job placement:
- CSA steel toe work boots, CSA safety glasses
- Equipment required:
- Recommended laptop computer (Windows 10, Internet, Microsoft Office 365, and speakers/webcam
- Grade Point Average (GPA) of 60% or higher is required for each term.
- An overall 60% GPA is required to graduate.
Future Study Options
Future Study Options
Parkland College offers more options in this field that may enhance your employability. These certificates and/or diplomas can add to your existing credentials and prepare you for the world of work. Qualified graduates may be able to apply some academic credits towards further study. For more information please use the links below:
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared to work as power engineers or process operators in a variety of industrial and heating plants. These include utility (power) plants, refineries, hospitals, pulp and paper mills, breweries, mines, gas processing plants, heavy oil upgraders, fertilizer plants or chemical plants.Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 with Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 or Math B30. Minimum overall average of 65%. Chemistry and Physics are recommended.
- Special Admission – ACCUPLACER is available.
- English Language requirement.
- Non-refundable application fee: $60.00 (online) OR $90.00 (paper).
- International students: please refer to the International Application and Admission Process for more information