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Power Engineer Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors and outdoors icon that represents where Power Engineer work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Power Engineer. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Power Engineer click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Equipment Maintenance

Power Engineer

work indoors and outdoors

Power engineers supervise, operate and maintain machinery and boilers that provide steam, power, heat, refrigeration and other utility services to industrial and commercial facilities.

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  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Physics; Shop

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Power engineers may be employed in any industry in which boilers are used. For example, they may be employed in:

    • Gas plants.
    • Power generating plants.
    • Heavy oil plants.
    • Petrochemical plants.
    • Pulp mills.
    • Plastic plants.
    • Breweries.
    • Food production plants.
    • Refineries.
    • Hospitals.
    • Hotels.
    • Schools and other institutions.
    • Office and apartment complexes.
  • DutiesDetails

    Power Engineers

    Some of the machines Power Engineers manage include:

    • Boilers.
    • Steam and gas turbines.
    • Generators.
    • Gas and diesel engines.
    • Pumps.
    • Condensers.
    • Compressors.
    • Pressure vessels and related controls.
    • Heating systems.
    • Air-conditioning systems.
    • Ventilation.
    • Refrigeration.
    • Fire systems.
    • Building control systems.

    Duties Include:

    • Follow safety codes and rules.
    • Control, start, shut down and track the operation of boilers other equipment.
    • Use automatic, computerized, or manual controls.
    • Monitor alarms, gauges and other instruments associated with plant operations.
    • Trouble shoot and prevent equipment or system failures.
    • Figure out and which equipment requires inspection and repair.
    • Make sure all equipment and processes operate properly.
    • Take chemical tests of boiler water and other samples.
    • Look at samples to figure out proper chemical treatments.
    • Help develop operation, maintenance and safety procedures.
    • Shut down, lock out, restart equipment for regular maintenance.
    • Maintain a daily log of operation, maintenance and safety activities.
    • Investigate and report on safety related accidents or incidents.
    • Write reports about plant operation.
    • Work with other companies, consultants and contractors.
    • May work in control rooms.
    • May need to look at problems to come up with solutions.
    • Switch from automatic controls to manual controls to fix problems when necessary.
    • Know when to switch from automatic controls to manual controls so repairs, etc. are done safely.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Very noisy shops.
      • Small plants.
      • Large plants.
      • Confined spaces.
      • Extreme heights.
      • High temperatures.
      • High humidity.
      • Exposure to dust, grease, hazardous chemicals.
      • Exposure to unpleasant odours.
      • Supervisory positions: work in comfortable offices, etc.
    • Outdoors
      • All weather conditions.
      • Extreme heights.
      • High temperatures.
      • High humidity.
      • Exposure to dust, grease, hazardous chemicals.
      • Exposure to unpleasant odours.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May need to work evenings or weekends and/or holidays.
    • May need to work overtime.
    • May need to work shiftwork.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Lift and carry up to 20 kilograms.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Good mechanical skills.
    • Good electrical skills.
    • Good vision and hearing.
    • Works well with hands.
    • Good hand-eye co-ordination.
    • Good communication skills.
    • Able to talk to people easily.
    • Good writing skills.
    • Good organizational skills.
    • Able to make decisions.
    • Able to work safely and efficiently.
    • Works well with others.
    • Works well on a team.
    • Enjoy controlling and operating systems.
    • Enjoy using information to solve problems.
    • Enjoy having clear rules and organized methods for their work.
  • EducationDetails

    In Alberta, power engineers are certified through the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA).

    Step 1: For Special Oilwell Operator levels, and Special Boiler Operator levels

    Step 2:

    Step 3: Write Third Class certificate exam you must have:

    • English Language Arts 10-1 or 10-2 or equivalents.
    • Applied Math 10 or Pure Math 10, or equivalent.
    • Science 10 or 14 or equivalent.
    • Fourth Class certificate.
    • Operating experience for Fourth Class certificate.
    • or pass Part A of a recognized Third Class course in power engineering.
    • Exam results are accepted throughout Canada.

    Step 4: Write Second Class certificate exam you must have:

    • English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2 or equivalents.
    • Applied Math 20 or Pure Math 20, or equivalent.
    • Science 20 or Physics 20.
    • Third Class certificate.
    • Operating experience for Third Class certificate.
    • or pass Part A of a recognized Second Class course in power engineering.
    • Exam results are accepted throughout Canada.

    Step 5: Write First Class certificate exam (the last certificate. This is the highest level) you must have:

    • Second Class certificate.
    • Operating experience for Second Class certificate.
    • English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2 or equivalents.
    • Applied Math 20 or Pure Math 20, or equivalent.
    • Science 30 or Physics 30.
    • or pass Part A of a recognized First Class course in power engineering.
    • Exam results are accepted throughout Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Power engineering programs, distance learning and continuing education courses are offered by the following post-secondary institutions in Alberta:

    Entrance requirements for standardized power engineering programs vary but generally include Grade 12 English and Grade 11 math and physics courses. Some programs require a high school diploma or equivalent.

    Continuing education programs may be offered on an as needed basis.

    For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • VARIOUS levels of power engineer depending on education.
    • Management or supervisory positions.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.

    Future Trends:

    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

    Industries/Businesses employing people in this trade include:

    • Agriculture.
    • Wholesale Trade.
    • Other Services.
    • Mining.
    • Oil and Gas Extraction.
    • Construction.
    • Transportation and Warehousing.
  • SalaryDetails

    Earnings for power engineers vary according to the level of certificate held, the responsibilities of the position, and the location and size of the employing organization.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary Equipment Operators occupational group earned on average from $29.77 to $44.36 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $38.27 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails