Power Engineering (Third Class)

Overview

Enhance your skills in power engineering

Receive practical training in high and low-pressure boiler operations, water treatment systems, pump operations, controls and instrumentation, air conditioning and refrigeration, checking and maintaining equipment, using computers to monitor plant operations, plant safety, environmental management and communications.

Power Engineering is not an apprenticeship trade; however, it is divided into levels of skill and training. The levels are referred to as classes with First Class being the highest level. A combination of work experience and course completions followed by rigorous interprovincial examinations allows an engineer to progress from one class to another.

You will cover the theory required to prepare you for Third Class interprovincial exams during the duration of this program (Exams Part A, Paper 1 & 2, Part B, Paper 1 & 2). You will acquire six months of boiler firing time upon completion of this program. You will also gain hands-on experience in our new power lab and participate in a two-week work placement in an industrial setting.

Why Parkland College?

“The benefits of having a power engineering program run locally through Parkland College can be measured in money and time but what cannot be quantified is the opportunity to go home after class.

The advantage for a company like Louis Dreyfus Commodities, who participates in the work placement program, is to have first look at the students as potential employees. The last power engineer we hired learned his trade at Parkland College, and he is now training to obtain his Second Class license.”

-Henry Bouchard
Former Chief Engineer, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Yorkton

Tuition

Tuition & Course Info

If you have completed the SaskPolytech Power Engineering Technician program and are looking to further your education and experience in power engineering, the Third Class program is for you.

Tuition: $3,785.60
Books & Materials: Approx. $1,000.00
Fees: $1,100.00
Length: 16 weeks
Dates: August 28, 2023 – January 2024
Location: Trades and Technology Centre, Yorkton, SK

*Tuition costs and dates are subject to change up to 3 months prior to delivery.*
Courses

Theory Courses

ELEC 291 Basic Electricity 2 Prerequisites: ELEC 188 Minimum Grade of 60
Building on the knowledge gained in ELEC 188 (Basic Electricity 1) your studies will cover topics including electrical: theory, circuits, machines and calculations. These topics are required for 3rd Class Power Engineering certification.
ENGP 280 Refrigeration Prerequisites: RFRG 195 Minimum Grade of 60
You will build on the introductory concepts and knowledge that you developed in the 4th Class Refrigeration course. You will focus on industrial applications dealing specifically with compressors, auxiliaries and controls.
ENGP 297 Combustion, Piping and Plant Management Prerequisites: STEA 184 Minimum Grade of 60
Your studies will focus on fuels, combustion, piping and plant management. You will learn how to perform calculations and do flue gas analysis required for optimum efficiency in plant operation. You will learn piping design, valve and actuator application, steam trap systems and insulation. You will learn maintenance strategies, fire protection systems and review safety management programs.
ENGP 284 Applied Mechanics 2 Prerequisites: THER 183 Minimum Grade of 60
Your studies will focus on theory and calculations applied to the power engineering field. The course content includes mass, force, motion, energy, power, vectors and stress calculations.
ENGP 285 Power Lab 3 Prerequisites: ENGP 187 Minimum Grade of 60
You will continue to build your skills by operating plant equipment with an emphasis on computerized control systems. You will have the opportunity to develop your supervisory skills by assuming the role of Chief Engineer in the power lab. The course augments the Boiler Branch requirements for plant experience as qualifying time to challenge the inter-provincial examinations for 3rd Class certification.
ENGP 286 Codes and Calculations 1 Prerequisites: ENGP 103 Minimum Grade of 60
You will investigate the various areas covered by the ASME codes, CSA codes and the Provincial Boiler Act and Regulations. You will study and practice ASME code calculations.
ENGP 290 Pumps and Compressors Prerequisites: ENGP 186 Minimum Grade of 60
The course is a continuation of ENGP 186 (Pumps, Compressors and Lubrication). You will receive more in depth information on the design and operation of various pumps. You will expand your knowledge of pumping terminology and calculations, air compression and system components.
ENGP 292 Prime Movers and Plant Management Prerequisites: ENGP 183 Minimum Grade of 60
You will enhance your skills and knowledge about prime movers used in industry. You will study the internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and steam turbines used in large heating and industrial plants. Cogeneration systems, heat exchangers and fired heaters are also described in this course.
ENGP 296 Industrial Chemistry, Metallurgy and Drawings Prerequisites: INST 182, STEA 184, WTER 182 Minimum Grade of 60
You will study the principles of chemistry, corrosion in industrial operations and how some of these processes will effect metallurgy and materials. You will also learn how to read industrial drawings.
INST 280 Controls and Instrumentation Prerequisites: INST 182 Minimum Grade of 60
You will study boiler controls and plant instrumentation in more depth. You will also study the computer operating systems used in industry to monitor and control boiler firing systems, and tour some of these plants.
MATH 390 Technical Mathematics for Engineering Calculations Equivalent Course(s): CALC 181, MAT 246 / Prerequisites: MATH 299 Minimum Grade of 60
Building on MATH 299, you will receive advanced instruction and practice using algebra and geometry-trigonometry with emphasis on calculations used in THER 281 (Thermodynamics 2) and ENGP 284 (Applied Mechanics 2).
STEA 286 Steam Generation 2 Prerequisites: STEA 184 Minimum Grade of 60 and INST 182 Minimum Grade of 60
Your focus will be on larger steam generators found in industrial plants. You will examine specialized boiler types, construction, auxiliaries, operating procedures, firing equipment and control systems used for steam generation. You will also examine various welding procedures, inspection methods and pressure vessel information.
THER 281 Thermodynamics 2 Prerequisites: THER 182 Minimum Grade of 60
Your studies will focus on the theory and calculations related to boiler operation and efficiency. The course content includes calculations using steam tables, gas laws, equivalent evaporation, factor of evaporation, mixtures and thermal expansion.
WTER 280 Water Treatment 2 Prerequisites: WTER 100 Minimum Grade of 60 and CHEM 100 Minimum Grade of 60
This course covers in detail chemistry, combustion and corrosion as they relates to water treatment. You will examine the external treating units more closely and gain a complete understanding of chemical reactions. You will study chemical equations involved with combustion and corrosion to develop an understanding of excess air and its importance in the combustion of various fuels employed to provide heat in a steam generator.
Important Notes

Important Notes

  • Students are responsible for transportation and accommodation.

Career Opportunities

Power engineers operate and maintain reactors, turbines, boilers, generators, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment to generate electrical power and to provide heat, light, refrigeration and other utility services for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings and other work sites. They are employed by power generation plants, electrical power utilities, heavy oil upgraders and gas processing plants, manufacturing plants, mines, hospitals, universities and government and commercial establishments.

Admission Requirements

    • Saskatchewan Polytechnic Power Engineering Technician program certificate
    • English Language requirement
    • Non-refundable application fee: $60.00 (online) OR $90.00 (paper)

NOTE: While chemistry, physics and geometry-trigonometry are not program entrance requirements, some employers may require these subjects. Students are strongly encouraged to have current Standard First Aid & CPR “A”, H2S Alive, WHMIS and Confined Space certificates prior to start of program. Many employers require the certification for work placements.

Contacts

Questions?

Questions?

Last Updated: September 29, 2022