Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
The Power Engineering Technology 2-year diploma program will prepare you for progression through the 4th Class, 3rd Class and 2nd Class - Part A ABSA levels by providing both theoretical and practical training.
The intent of the program is to prepare you to make both safety and efficiency a priority on the job. In the classroom, we will discuss foundational concepts of boilers, electricity, instrumentation, safety, codes and legislation, thermodynamics and physics.
By the time you graduate, you will have the knowledge, skills and confidence to:
- operate boilers
- operate turbines
- control and operate refrigeration and air conditioning systems
- maintain and repair boilers and auxiliaries, pumps, compressors, turbines, generators
- commission equipment
You’ll need to pass all courses and attend a minimum of 80% of the theory classes, 100% of the labs and 100% of the plant practicum to successfully complete the program.
Tools for success
To be successful in this program, you’ll need to demonstrate manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination and mechanical inclination for the operation of switches and control of monitoring instruments. Colour vision may also be required by some employers.
Practicum/co-op/work experience
The Plant Practicum (POWT2395) portion of the Power Engineering Technology program is designed to provide you with industrial experience. Only qualified students (who have completed and passed all Level 1 courses successfully AND have successfully completed the ABSA, 4th Class A & B papers) may be assigned to industrial plants where they will be exposed to the many phases of power engineering.
- Length: 480 Hours/13.25 Weeks (nominal)
- Salary: Paid and Unpaid Placements
- Relocation: Possible
Please note: You will be charged the tuition fee for both the paid and unpaid plant practicums. This fee covers, staffing costs related to the plant practicum, room usage for interviews, industry information sessions, etc.
Enter the workforce with confidence
Power engineers generally have steady year-round employment, with no seasonal layoffs, in plants that operate around the clock. Because of this, shiftwork consisting of 12-hour day and night shifts on weekends and holidays is typically required.
As you gain experience and higher levels of certification, your work responsibilities as a power engineer will increase in complexity.
Typically, power engineers:
- assist in the operation and maintenance of boilers, pumps, compressors, fans, turbines, refrigeration units, heating systems and other related equipment
- work as a shift engineer who coordinates the operational and maintenance activities of assistant engineers engaged in the constant control and surveillance of power plant equipment
Graduate information & opportunities
Continuing your studies
- 4th Class ABSA Provincial exam – you can apply to write the 4th Class ABSA Provincial Exam once you’ve successfully completed certificate Level 2 program courses
- 3rd Class Part "A" ABSA Provincial exam - you can write the 3rd Class Part "A" ABSA Provincial Exam once you’ve successfully completed Plant Practicum Level 3 (POWT2395)
- 3rd Class Part "B" ABSA Provincial exam - you can write the 3rd Class Part "B" ABSA Provincial Exam once you’ve successfully completed Level 5
- 2nd Class Part "A" ABSA Provincial exam - you can write the 2nd Class Part "A" ABSA Provincial Exam once you’ve successfully completed Levels 1 and 2
Professional Membership
You can also apply for professional membership with the Institute of Power Engineers (IPE).
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
Any POWT related courses that are to be looked at for advance/transfer credit can be considered but not necessarily granted due to the need to have the student be successful in learning the ABSA accredited standardized curriculum being used and the impact it has on being successful in passing the ABSA examinations. There can be a better possibility of granting advance/transfer credits for 'academic' courses such as physics and mathematics subject to the minimum requirements of the course(s) in question and equivalencies to the existing NAIT courses (e.g. PHYS 1146 or PHYS 2446 or MATH 1141).
Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.
Courses
Expand each course below to see details about credits, requisites, scheduling, and more.