Ontario College Diploma | 4 semesters | Barrydowne Campus
Cambrian's award-winning combination of an on-campus power plant combined with proven, accredited curriculum produces graduates who meet with success in their careers and are in high demand from industry.
Over two years of study, the Power Engineering Technician program will maximize your career opportunities by preparing you to successfully challenge roles in the operation and maintenance of the complex energy systems found in power plants and other industrial settings.
Your theoretical knowledge and practical skills will be honed during your two years of study in both classroom and lab settings.
Theoretical concepts introduced in class will be more fully experienced in the College's Power Engineering Training Facility. This facility is where you will learn to operate and maintain working equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
Owing to this Program's accreditation with the TSSA, graduates will earn two separate qualifying time entitlements. This allows our graduates to advance their careers in an accelerated manner.
Fieldwork/Placement
Students in the Power Engineering Technician program will have opportunities to gather further qualifying time during industrial work placements. These placements are traditionally obtained over the summer period between the end of year one and the start of year two.
Capped Enrolment
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Admission Requirements
For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:
- Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
- Any grade 12 mathematics (C) or (U) (MCT4C is highly recommended)
Recommended:
- Any grade 11 (U) or 12 (U) or (C) chemistry or physics
- Grade 12 technological design or manufacturing technology course (C) or (U)
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Visit https://www.cambriancollege.ca/upgrading/ for more information about our FREE Academic Upgrading Program.1
Advanced Standing
Graduates of Cambrian's Power Engineering Techniques (PETQ) program or its equivalent who also possess a 4th Class Certificate of Qualification - in good standing with the TSSA - may apply to enter directly into Semester 3 of the Power Engineering Technician (PWTN) or Power Engineering Technology (PWTY) program. This is a competitive process.
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1 Please note Academic Upgrading is only available for domestic students.
Program Delivery
2024-2025
This program will be delivered in the following terms:
Fall Term Start
- SEMESTER 1 Fall 2024
- SEMESTER 2 Winter 2025
- SEMESTER 3 Fall 2025
- SEMESTER 4 Winter 2026
For specific term start/end dates and other key dates/deadlines, please see the Academic Schedule on our website.
Program of Study for 2024-25 Academic Year
Students are required to successfully complete an online Lab Safety course (in Moodle) when starting their program at Cambrian. This course must be completed prior to entering the labs (as identified in the table below) in the Schools of Skills Training, Engineering Technology and Environmental Studies.
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| PEG 1108 | Power Plant Operation I 1 | 11 |
| PEG 1225 | Electricity & Control Systems I | 3 |
| PEG 1115 | Applied Science | 3 |
| PEG 1007 | Boilers & Auxiliaries I | 4 |
| PEG 1126 | Safety & Administration I | 2 |
| ENG 1002 | College Communications | 3 |
| Credits | 26 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PEG 1220 | Heating, Refrig./Gas Compression I | 3 |
| PEG 1231 | Power Plant Operations II 1 | 11 |
| PEG 1261 | Building Systems | 3 |
| PEG 1008 | Prime Movers I | 4 |
| PEG 1215 | Applied Chemistry I | 2 |
| One General Education course. 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 26 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| ENG 1754 | Technical Communication | 3 |
| PEG 2330 | Power Plant Operation III 1 | 4 |
| PEG 2325 | 3A1 - Math, Physics & Thermodynamics | 4 |
| PEG 2420 | 3A2 - Electricity & Control Systems II | 4 |
| PEG 2430 | 3A2- Safety & Administration II | 4 |
| One General Education course. 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 22 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| PEG 2442 | Power Plant Operation IV 1 | 4 |
| PEG 2310 | 3B1 - Applied Chemistry II | 2 |
| PEG 2410 | Power Plant Simulation Operations | 3 |
| PEG 2321 | 3B1 - Boilers and Auxiliaries II | 3 |
| PEG 2315 | 3B2 - Heating, Refrig. & Gas Comp. II | 4 |
| PEG 2426 | 3B2 - Prime Movers II | 3 |
| PEG 1006 | Nuclear and Alternate Energy | 3 |
| One General Education course. 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 25 | |
| Total Credits | 99 | |
- 1
Course with Lab Component
- 2
For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.
For students who wish to continue their education in Power Engineering Technology; an additional 1-credit course "Field Placement II" is necessary between second and third year. Placement officers will provide assistance in obtaining placement opportunities for these students.
Fees
Tuition and Ancillary Fees
Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.
The program will schedule TSSA examination dates at appropriate times during the semesters. This will allow the student to sit the TSSA exam on-site at Cambrian College. A sitting fee will be required to avail yourself of this service. Fee costs and the exam registration process will be provided during orientation.
Books & Supplies
The cost of books and supplies for Year 1 is approximately $2,000. Any voluntary student testing costs, such as the TSSA Operating Engineering certifications, will have additional fees. This is the best information available at the time of publishing to the website and is subject to change.
Graduate Options
Furthering Your Studies
Students successfully completing the Power Engineering Technician program may enter directly into the Power Engineering Technology program. This will be of great assistance to those students considering further education, and higher levels of certification in the field of Power Engineering.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates may find employment in industrial and non-industrial settings operating, maintaining and managing complex energy systems. These types of systems may be located in:
- Manufacturing, extractive resource facilities and processing plants
- Power plants, alternative energy and cogeneration facilities
- Refrigeration, liquification and gas compression plants
- Petrochemical facilities, refineries and paper mills
- Institutional and commercial operations such as hospitals, correctional facilities, research facilities and universities
- District energy facilities and heating / cooling plants
In addition to these traditional employers, further employment opportunities may be found in related industries such as pressure vessel inspection.
College/University Degree Opportunities
Graduates from this program may continue their studies at college/university and may receive credit for their prior College education.
Refer to College/University Agreements for further information.
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.