The Power Engineering Career

What is a Power Engineer?

At the heart of most industrial complexes and commercial and government buildings lies a thermally driven utility system. The safe and efficient operation of these facilities has been the responsibility of the Power Engineer for more than 120 years in North America.

Also known as Power Plant Operators, Boiler Operators, Operating Engineers, Steam Engineers, and Stationary Engineers, the "Power Engineer" is a technically skilled professional who is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of a wide variety of thermal processes and auxilliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, generators, motors, boilers, steam turbines, gas turbines, heat exchangers, air conditioning systems and refrigeration equipment. The list is almost endless, since Power Engineers serve so many different industries.

Where do Power Engineers work?

Power Engineers find employment in power generation plants, industrial facilities of all types, residential and commercial buildings, where they operate and maintain the equipment that provides heat, light, climate control and power.

How much does a Power Engineer make?

Power Engineers are in steady demand in Canada and around the world. Salaries range from $40,000 to $100,000 plus per year depending on classification and experience.

How do I become a Power Engineer?

In Canada, there are five national levels of Power Engineer certification, with 5th Class or 4th Class (depending on the industry) being the lowest and 1st Class being the highest level. A career in Power Engineering normally begins with an entry-level certification at the 5th or 4th Class level. Advancement to higher levels of certification is then achieved through specified work experience in appropriate plant environments plus completion of further educational and examination requirements.

The ultimate certification level attained by a Power Engineer is a personal choice. Some jurisdictions (ie. Province or Territory) may have additional certifications specific to that jurisdiction.

What does it take to become Certified?

Educational Accreditation + Firing Time (F.T.) + Gov't Examination = Certification

Educational Accreditation is best achieved by working with an educator (usually a recognized College with a Power Engineering program) and completing a recognized course of study, either by attending or by distance learning. This is the most structured way to obtain the educational (ie. knowledge/theory) requirements, which are necessary to pass the government certification exams.

Firing Time is the regulated “operating time” that must be completed in a plant of specific "size", while doing a specific job. Engineers' Regulations in each jurisdiction specify the minimum plant size, the certification that must be held, the job title, and the time that a person must be employed in that job title in order to qualify for next level certification examinations.

Government Examination(s) must be successfully written before Certification is issued. Application is made to the appropriate jurisdiction and exams are written at specified locations, under the direction of the appointed jurisdictional Examiner. In most cases, Part A exams may be written before completion of firing time, while Part B exams must wait until firing time is complete.

Should I join a professional association once Certified?

Affiliation with Canadian organizations, such as the Inter-Provincial Power Engineering Curriculum Committee (IPECC) and the Institute of Power Engineers (IPE), is an excellent avenue for professional networking and support. You will have the opportunity to meet fellow Power Engineers, exchange opinions, share concerns, and address challenges. These affiliations may even become a useful resource when seeking employment opportunities. You will also have the opportunity to provide your valuable input into the ongoing development of industry appropriate training materials.