Power Engineering Technician | St. Clair College
Program Code: T942
Status: Open
Apply Online:
Two Year - Ontario College Diploma
Starts: September

Emergency Alternate Delivery Plan:
Winter 2024 Emergency Alternate Delivery

Contact:
Mark Lambert
519-972-2727 ext. 5580
Placements Coordinator

Program Overview

This program has been developed for those seeking employment as a power engineering technician who operates and troubleshoots the energy components in industrial power plants (chemical, food, pulp and paper etc.), electrical power plants (coal, gas, nuclear, wind, solar, methane, cogeneration, flex fuel etc.), or commercial buildings. The work may involve system monitoring and work with boilers, turbines, and condensers in steam power plants as well as internal combustion engines. Subjects of instruction will follow the Standardized Power Engineers Examination Committee (SOPEEC) syllabus and prepare the students to write the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) examinations for 4th and 3rd class certification after 2 years as an operator. This program features co-operative training and use of a state-of-the-art power systems control room simulator.

Program Highlights

  • At the forefront of offering preparation towards Certification for 3rd Class Operating Engineers under T.S.S.A. (Technical Standards and Safety Authority) and SOPEEC (Standardized Interprovincial certification). The Operating Engineer certification is recognized across Canada.
  • Program is accredited by TSSA for reduced practical time for 4th, and 3rd Class certification.
  • St. Clair College will find eligible students their 4th Class & 3rd Class steam time. The student must be prepared to go anywhere in Ontario and assume that the work placement is unpaid. 4th Class placement runs during semester 3 for 3 months, and 3rd Class placement runs during semester 5 for 1 month (May-August). Complete information regarding work placement is available from the Program Coordinator.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program will find employment opportunities in power generation plants, hospitals, municipalities, schools, process refineries, steel mills, heating and cooling plants. Job titles include apprentice power dispatcher, auxiliary plant operator, building systems technician, control room operator - electrical power systems, distribution control operator - electrical power systems, electrical power systems operator, power dispatcher - generating station, power engineer, power plant operator power plant stationary engineer, stationary engineer and system controller - electrical power systems.

Laddering Opportunities

Graduates of the Power Engineering Technician program can ladder into Power Engineering Technology at an Ontario College.

Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of courses at the College ( C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:

  • Grade 11 or 12 Physics
  • Grade 12 English (C or U) (ENG4C, ENG4U)
  • Grade 12 College Mathematics (MAP4C or MCT4C) or any Grade 12 University Mathematics, or equivalent

Recommended subjects include:

  • Physics: Grade 12 College or University (SPH 4C, SPH 4U); OR
  • Chemistry: Grade 12 Chemistry College or Grade 11 or 12 University (SCH 4C, SCH 4U, SCH 3U).

Students must be 18 years of age to write TSSA 4th Class examinations. The first TSSA exam takes place between the first and second semester.

Courses

The curriculum below is for incoming students:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
PSE119
Plant Communication And Maintenance
4
MTH143
Mathematics I
3
PSE142
Industrial Legislation & Safety
2
PSE151
Introduction To Boilers
3
PSE124
Chemistry, Thermodynamics & Environmental Pollution Control
2
PSE117
Materials And Welding
2
PSE129
Introduction To Electrical Controls And Instrumentation
4
PSE118
Applied Mechanics - 4th Class
3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
PSE445G
Industrial Environmental Awareness
3
MTH243
Mathematics II
3
PSE217
Introduction To Gas & Steam Turbines
3
PSE219
Power Engineering Practical I
6
PSE203
Water Treatment
2
PSE222
Auxillary Building & Heating/Cooling Systems
2
PSE221
Introduction To Refrigeration And HVAC
2
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
PSE414
Power Engineering Practical II
4
PSE407
Applied Mathematics/Mechanics - 3rd Class
2
PSE411
Thermodynamics - 3rd Class
3
PSE418
Applied Science - Chemistry And Metallurgy
2
PSE416
Electrotechnology
4
PSE419
Industrial Legislation, Combustion And Plant Auxillary Systems
2
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
PSE478
Simulator
3
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
PSE516
Steam Generators & Auxiliaries
5
PSE517
Water & Wastewater Treatment And Plant Administration
3
PSE508
Industrial Refrigeration & Air Comp
3
PSE519
Steam & Gas Turbines Including Cogeneration
2
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
PSE518
Power Engineering Practical III
4
Semester 5
Code Title Credits
Choose one of:
PSE315
Work Placement 4th Class
32
PSE317
Co-Op Placement 4th Class
32
Semester 6
Code Title Credits
Choose one of:
PSE611
3rd Class Workplacement
11
PSE617
Co-Op Placement 3rd Class
27

Past Cohorts:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
PSE119 Plant Communication And Maintenance 4
MTH143 Mathematics I 3
PSE140 Industrial Legislation & Safety 3
PSE128 Introduction To Boilers 2
PSE124 Chemistry, Thermodynamics & Environmental Pollution Control 2
PSE117 Materials And Welding 2
PSE129 Introduction To Electrical Controls And Instrumentation 4
PSE118 Applied Mechanics-4th Class 3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
PSE445G Industrial Environmental Awareness 3
MTH243 Mathematics II 3
PSE217 Introduction To Gas & Steam Turbines 3
PSE219 Power Engineering Practical I 6
PSE203 Water Treatment 2
PSE222 Auxillary Building & Heating/Cooling Systems 2
PSE224 Introduction To Refrigeration And HVAC 3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
Choose one of:
PSE315 Work Placement 4th Class 32
PSE317 Co-Op Placement 4th Class 32
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
PSE414 Power Engineering Practical II 4
PSE404 Applied Mathematics/Mechanics - 3rd Class 3
PSE411 Thermodynamics - 3rd Class 3
PSE418 Applied Science - Chemistry And Metallurgy 2
PSE416 Electrotechnology 4
PSE419 Industrial Legislation, Combustion And Plant Auxillary Systems 2
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
PSE478 Simulator 3
Semester 5
Code Title Credits
PSE516 Steam Generators & Auxiliaries 5
PSE517 Water & Wastewater Treatment And Plant Administration 3
PSE508 Industrial Refrigeration & Air Comp 3
PSE509 Steam & Gas Turbines Including Cogeneration 3
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
PSE518 Power Engineering Practical III 4
Semester 6
Code Title Credits
Choose one of:
PSE611 3rd Class Workplacement 11
PSE617 Co-Op Placement 3rd Class 27

Placement Requirements

Please be aware that although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, some of our placement sites may require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Unfortunately, we cannot predict if a placement site will begin to require full vaccination and as such, we are encouraging all students to consider vaccination. If the requirement of your placement sites changes at any point, you will be notified immediately by the College.

It is important to note that if placement sites do require students to be fully vaccinated to attend their place of business, students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs.

If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).

Your Investment

The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:

2023-2024 Tuition Fees  

For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses is at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.

Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found through the Bookstore website.

Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.

Program Physical Demands Analysis

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Power Engineering Technician (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 59100)

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Examine the operation of typical power plant components including prime movers, heat engines, refrigeration, HVAC, and electrical according to industry standards.
  2. Operate, diagnose, troubleshoot, test and service power plant components in compliance with manufacturers recommendations, industry standard power engineering technology, and Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).
  3. Analyze and solve technical problems related to power engineering and plant systems by applying the principles of mathematics, engineering, and science.
  4. Communicate effectively and accurately by evaluating, translating, and applying relevant drawings and other related documents.
  5. Monitor and control environmental discharges associated with power plant operation adhering to plant procedures and complying with local, provincial, and federal legislation.
  6. Select strategies for ongoing professional development and career advancement in the power engineering field.
  7. Execute power plant operation duties and other assigned work in a professional manner in accordance with Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) regulations, occupational, environmental, health, and fire safety procedures, ethical practices, and laws applicable to the power engineering industry.
  8. Relate effectively to co-workers and supervisors in the work environment through various modes of communication, and by accurately documenting projects and daily tasks.