Consider A Career As A Power Engineer
Train online to join one of Canada's most in demand professions. Sask DLC offers the only program of its kind in Canada - where students can prepare to become a Certified 4th Class or 5th Class Power Engineer while receiving high school credits.
Power Engineers are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of industrial equipment such as boilers, steam and gas turbines, generators, gas and diesel internal combustion engines, pumps, condensers, compressors, pressure vessels and related controls.
Power engineering is an in-demand career that is critical to supporting the province's energy grid, the development of heavy industry and the operation of boilers used in schools, businesses and other buildings.
Become Certified as a 4th or 5th Class Power Engineer
Sask DLC, in cooperation with SaskPower and Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon, provides online programs to train students to become power engineers outside a standard classroom. These programs are recognized by the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK) and upon completion, you will be qualified to begin employment as a 4th or 5th class power engineer or continue on in post-secondary to gain further classification training.
5th class courses are great for students wanting an introduction to what power engineering is and the careers available.
4th class courses are great for students interested in pursuing this trade as a career after high school.
Each of the power engineering courses counts towards your Grade 12 graduation.
Students are not required to take 5th Class before moving onto 4th class. Students who do take 5th class, can choose to upgrade with two additional courses to earn their 4th class.
Power Engineering Program Fact Sheet
What To Expect in 5th Class
Online Component
This programs includes two online high school courses, that are required to be taken within the same school year. Semester 1: Power Engineering 20L Semester 2: Power Engineering 30L Both courses are instructed by a 3rd class power engineer. Student learning is supported by a Power Engineering text book, interactive videos, self-assessment quizzes and unit tests and a final exam. While 65% or higher is required in each course for certification, all students who earn a final mark of 50% or higher will receive a Saskatchewan high school elective credit for each course taken.
TSASK Exams
In order to earn certification, there is a required TSASK exam students must write after the completion of their 5th class courses. There will be a fee (approximately $110) for each exams, which are administered by TSASK.
Steam Time
As part of the course, students must complete a work study to earn their required steam lab time. This provides students the chance to put their online learning into action. In partnership with SaskPower, students are able to access a mobile steam lab for three 8-hour sessions. Locations of the mobile steam lab will be determined based on students registration. Some travel may be required for students to access the lab within a central point in the province.
Upgrading to 4th Class
Students who complete their 5th class certification, can choose to upgrade to work towards their 4th class certification with two additional courses.
These courses are:
Power Engineering 4th Class Upgrade - Part A and Power Engineering 4th Class Upgrade - Part B
What To Expect in 4th Class
Online Component
This course includes four online high school courses (A1, A2, B1 & B2) instructed by a 3rd class power engineer. There is a required
While a 65% in each course is required for certification, all students who earn a final mark of 50% or higher will receive a Saskatchewan high school elective credit.
Lab Component
Certification as a 4th class power engineer requires 200 hours of hands-on training. While taking online classes, the Sask DLC program provides students with the option to participate in 6 week-end steam time labs. The labs will require travel to the location and provides 80 hours of mandatory, hands-on training.
Steam Lab
Once a student has successfully completed Sask DLC's online and lab components, an additional 120 hours of hands-on training known as steam time at a post-secondary institution is still required for certification. These steam time hours take place over a designated three-week period in July. Although this training takes place at a post-secondary institution and is delivered by their instructors, Sask DLC staff will help to coordinate the logistics and support students through the registration process.
Students must confirm their July steam time seat by April 30th with the full payment of fees. Seats are filled on a first come basis. A minimum of 12 students is required to run the steam lab with a maximum of 18 spots available.
The cost of steam time will be approximately $2,900. This cost is significantly lower than the standard costs for steam time due to the 80 hours of training provided by Sask DLC, through the lab component.
TSASK Exams
In order to meet the requirements for 4th Class certification, students must pass two TSASK exams. The Part A exam is written after completion of the A1 and A2 courses, while the Part B exam is written after completion of the B1 and B2 courses. These exams are administered by TSASK, and take place in Saskatoon and Regina, as well as other locations, throughout the year. All students must pay a $110.00 fee, per exam, to TSASK.
TSASK Exams
Power engineers must be certified by an authorized regulatory body; in Saskatchewan, that agency is the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK). Sask DLC programs are recognized by TSASK and follows the Standardization of Power Engineer Examinations Committee (SOPEEC) curriculum, so students who successfully complete all components of the program will meet the requirement for 4th or 5th Class certification.
If you're interested, so are we.
Nothing prepares you for the world like experience.
Thank you to our partners, SaskPower and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, for providing students with an opportunity to see if a career in power engineering might be right for them.
