Power engineers, sometimes called stationary engineers or steam engineers, supervise, operate and maintain machinery and boilers to provide power, heat, refrigeration and other utility services to heavy industry and large building complexes.
Duties
Power engineers are responsible for the safe and effective operation and maintenance of industrial equipment such as boilers, turbines, generators, diesels, pumps, condensers, compressors, pressure vessels and related controls. In large industrial or building complexes, they may be responsible for heating, air-conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, fire systems and building control systems.
In general, power engineers:
ensure that safety codes and other applicable regulations are followed
use computer controls to start, operate and shutdown plant systems
monitor alarms, gauges and other instruments associated with plant operations
trouble shoot and take corrective action to prevent equipment or system failures
isolate equipment mechanically and electrically for inspection and repair
ensure that equipment and processes operate at maximum efficiency
assist in the development of operation, maintenance and safety procedures
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 outside agencies, consultants and contractors.
Industrial plants and building operations are often automated to enhance production efficiency and improve safety. In the more modern plants, power engineers may work in a control room environment, analyzing problems and taking action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems. At times, they must switch from automatic controls to manual controls to correct problems and ensure the safety of staff and equipment.
Working Conditions
Working conditions vary considerably in this occupation. Control rooms are usually clean and orderly. In other environments, power engineers may be exposed to high noise levels, high temperatures, high humidity, all types of outdoor weather conditions, dust, grease, hazardous chemicals and/or unpleasant odours. For example, those working in a coal-fired power generating station are exposed to coal dust and fly ash. In large plants, power engineers may be required to enter confined spaces or inspect equipment located at extreme heights. Lifting weights up to 25 kilograms may be an occasional or regular part of their work. Safety precautions and procedures must be observed to reduce the risk of injury.
Power engineers often work shifts, weekends, holidays and emergency overtime to accommodate continuous production.
Personal Characteristics
Power engineers need the following characteristics:
mechanical/electrical aptitude
good vision, hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand co-ordination
good communication skills in person and in writing
good organizational and decision-making skills
the ability to work well with others in a team environment.
Power engineers generally enjoy controlling and operating automated and computerized systems, analyzing information and solving problems and having clear rules and organized methods for their work.
Educational Requirements section revised JULY 2004
In Alberta, power engineers are certified through the Alberta Boilers Safety Association. Certification examinations are standardized and accepted in all provinces except Quebec.
There are five levels of certification, advancing from Fifth Class certificate to First Class certificate. Each level of certification has different training and employment experience requirements. Candidates are advised to complete power engineering courses at post-secondary institutions or via distance education programs before challenging power engineering examinations.
To write the examination for the Third Class certificate, candidates must have:
the required operating experience with a Fourth Class certificate
Science 10 or Physics 10, Applied Math 10 or Pure Math 10 (or Math 10 or 13) and English 10 or 13 (or equivalent education) or pass Part A of a recognized Third Class course in power engineering.
To write the examination for the Second Class certificate, candidates must have:
the required operating experience with a Third Class certificate
Science 20 or Physics 20, Applied Math 20 or Pure Math 20 (or Math 20 or 23) and English 20 or 23 (or equivalent education) or pass Part A of a recognized Second Class course in power engineering.
To write the examination for the First Class certificate, candidates must have:
the required operating experience with a Second Class certificate, and
Physics 30, Applied Math 30 or Pure Math 30 (or Math 30 or 33) and English 30 or 33 (or equivalent education) or pass Part A of a First Class course in power engineering.
Power engineering programs and continuing education courses are offered by the following post-secondary institutions in Alberta:
Grande Prairie Regional College
Keyano College in Fort McMurray
Lakeland College in Lloydminster,
Lethbridge Community College
Medicine Hat College
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton and Fairview
Northern Lakes College in Grouard
Portage College in Lac La Biche
Red Deer College.
Entrance requirements for entry-level power engineering programs vary, but generally include Grade 10 or 11 English, math and physics courses. Some programs require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Continuing education programs are often offered on an as needed basis.
For current information about programs and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary institution calendars or websites.
Employment and Advancement section revised APRIL 2004
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
petrochemical plants
pulp and paper mills
plastic plants
distilleries
food production plants
refineries
hospitals
hotels
schools and other institutions
office and apartment complexes.
Competition for entry-level positions is keen, especially at the third, fourth and fifth class Power Engineer levels. Advancement to more responsible positions usually requires higher levels of certification. However, higher level certificates do not guarantee promotion.
Power engineers are part of the Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary Equipment Operators occupational group. In Alberta, over 75 per cent of people employed in this group work in the following industries:
Oil and Gas Extraction
Utilities
Health Care and Social Assistance
Other Manufacturing
Educational Services
Food and Beverage Products Manufacturing
Public Administration.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors, including:
trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
size of the occupation.
Over 1,950 Albertans are employed in the Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary Equipment Operators occupational group which is expected to grow 0.9 to 1.9 per cent each year from 2003 to 2008 in Alberta. It is forecasted that 10 to 40 new positions will be created each year in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. (Note: Since power engineers form only a part of the larger occupational group on which this forecast is based, only a portion of the new positions created will be for power engineers.)
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next five to ten years.
Salary section revised MAY 2004
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. Wages range from $18 to $32 per hour (2000 estimate).
According to the 2003 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, most Albertans in the Stationary Engineers and Auxilliary Equipment Operators occupational group earned from $34,000 to $73,700 per year. The average salary was $50,200 per year.
Other Sources of Information
Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)