Power Engineering Technology DIPLOMA at Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Program Overview

The world runs on power. Power engineering technologists are in charge of operating and maintaining the complex systems used to operate industrial boilers, pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Demand for skilled power engineers is growing, opening the door to good jobs in the oil patch, mining, manufacturing, power generation utilities and more.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is Saskatchewan’s primary provider of power engineering certification. We offer two levels training: the two-year Power Engineering Technology diploma program and the one-year Power Engineering Technician certificate program.

Note:
Power Engineering Technology is now subject to the First Qualified/First Admitted admission method. Applications will be accepted beginning October 1, 2019.

Power Engineering Technology is a two-year diploma program offered full time at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus. You’ll gain knowledge and skills in the operation of power (steam) plants and industrial processes, including:

• air conditioning and refrigeration
• boiler operations (high and low pressure)
• communications
• computer monitoring of plant operations
• controls and instrumentation
• environmental (pollution) management
• equipment checks and maintenance
• plant safety
• pump operations
• water treatment systems

The program combines classroom learning with hands-on labs, power labs, computer simulations and industry work experiences. Graduates are productive on the job from day one—something employers look for when hiring and promoting.

Certification Opportunities

Power engineering is divided into levels of skill and training called classes (First Class is the highest level). You progress from one class to another through a combination of work experience, course completions and rigorous interprovincial exams.

After completing Year 1, you will earn one year of Fourth Class qualifying time credit from the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK), and be prepared to challenge:

• TSASK  Fourth Class exams, and
• TSASK  Refrigeration Engineers exams

After completing semester 3 and 4, you are prepared to challenge TSASK Third Class exams.

Upon successful completion of the diploma program, 9 months of credit will be granted towards work experience for your TSASK 3rd Class. Students who have successfully challenged all TSASK 3rd class exams and are enrolled in semester 5 will be eligible to challenge the TSASK 2nd Class Part A exams.

TSASK certificates are recognized across the country.

Personal study is recommended before you write any industry certification exam.

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) of Ontario website includes a video that provides information about the power engineering industry and training that may be helpful in determining whether this career is right for you. (The program and students shown are not from Saskatchewan Polytechnic).

The TSASK examination fees are:

Fourth Class - (Year 1) - Two exams at $108 per exam
Third Class - (Year 2) - Four exams at $108 per exam
Second Class - (Year 2) - Three exams at $216 per exam
(3 additional second class exams [Part B] are required after course completion)
Refrigeration Engineers (Year 1) - One exam at $108

Diploma to Degree

Use your diploma to ladder into a mining engineering technology degree at Queen’s University in Ontario.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Power engineering technologists work with large, complex power systems. You could work as a power engineer or process operator in utility (power) plants, refineries, pulp and paper mills, breweries, mines, gas processing plants, heavy oil upgraders, fertilizer plants or chemical plants. You could be responsible for heating, air-conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration systems in commercial, institutional or residential complexes. You can also put your knowledge to work in industrial and mechanical design and sales.