Power Engineering Technology

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.

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).

Provincial certification (TSASK) is required to work in the industry. TSASK test writing fees are not included in tuition.

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.

Bachelor of Applied Management

Ladder your diploma into the Bachelor of Applied Management degree at Saskatchewan Polytechnic with only two years of additional study. Remote classes and part-time options are available.

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Get a Global Learning Experience

As a student in this program, you can sharpen your intercultural skills. You may have an opportunity to study and learn abroad. Learn more about global learning experiences at Sask Polytech.

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.

Potential Careers

September

(includes two work experiences)

• Saskatoon

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 with Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30*
• Minimum overall average of 65%
• English Language Requirement

Note

• Prior to starting lab courses in Year 2 of this program, students must present their 4th Class Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK) certificate and license.
• Chemistry and Physics are not admission requirements; however, they would be extremely helpful to your success in the program and may be required by some employers as a condition of employment.
• Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of a current 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification within the first month of the program start date. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility.

*Previous Saskatchewan mathematics requirement also accepted:

• Math B30 

Alternative Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

• 250 Arithmetic
• 254 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics
• 250 Reading
• 245 Writing

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission Method

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

2022/23 Academic Year

Year 1 - $9,978
Year 2 - $6,475

International Students

View tuition rates for international students.

Year 1 - Semester 1

COMP 172

Introduction to Microsoft Word and Excel

1

ELEC 188

Basic Electricity 1

2

ENGP 179

Applied Mechanics (Fourth Class)

2

ENGP 180

Power Lab 1

3

ENGP 181

Plant Maintenance 1

2

ENGP 190

Boiler and Boiler Systems

3

INST 182

Instrumentation

3

MATH 299

Intermediate Algebra and Basic Trigonometry

2

SFTY 172

Safety, Legislation and Codes

3

TCOM 105

Communications for Technicians

2

THER 185

Thermodynamics (4th Class)

2

Year 1 - Semester 2

ENGP 178

Heating Systems

2

ENGP 183

Prime Movers

2

ENGP 186

Pumps, Compressors, and Lubrication

2

ENGP 187

Power Lab 2

4

ENGP 188

Plant Operation and Maintenance

4

ENGP 191

Boiler Controls and Safety Devices

2

PROP 198

Plant and Process Operations

2

RFRG 183

Air Conditioning

2

RFRG 195

Refrigeration (4th Class)

3

WTER 182

Water Treatment (4th Class)

2

Year 1 - Semester 3

CLTR 200

Culture and Diversity

2

ENGP 284

Applied Mechanics (3rd Class)

3

ENGP 296

Chemistry, Metallurgy and Drawings

2

MATH 390

Technical Mathematics for Engineering Calculations

1

THER 281

Thermodynamics (3rd Class)

3

WORK 185

Work Experience 1

0

Year 2 - Semester 4

ELEC 291

Basic Electricity 2

2

ENGP 280

Refrigeration (3rd Class)

1

ENGP 285

Power Lab 3

3

ENGP 286

Codes and Calculations 1

1

ENGP 290

Pumps and Compressors

2

ENGP 292

Prime Movers and Plant Auxiliaries

3

ENGP 297

Combustion, Piping and Plant Management

2

INST 280

Controls and Instrumentation

2

PROP 280

Process Simulations 2

2

STEA 286

Steam Generation (3rd Class)

2

WORK 186

Work Experience 2

0

WTER 280

Water Treatment (3rd Class)

2

Year 2 - Semester 5

ADMN 288

Industrial Administration and Plant Management

2

ENGP 189

Codes and Calculations 2

2

ENGP 288

Applied Mechanics (2nd Class)

4

ENGP 289

Power Lab 4

3

ENGP 295

Metallurgy and Testing of Materials

2

PROP 290

Process Simulations 3

2

STEA 287

Steam Generation (Second Class)

2

THER 282

Thermodynamics (2nd Class)

4

WTER 282

Water Treatment (2nd Class)

2

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

• More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

• Personal Readiness

• Women in Trades and Technology

• Building Systems Technician
• Instrumentation Engineering Technology
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Power Engineering Technician