Power Engineering Technology (PWTY)

Supercharge your career opportunities as a graduate of our power technology program

Maximize your career opportunities with our curriculum accredited by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). Train for operational and supervisory roles in our hands-on TSSA-registered power plant located right on campus. The only program of its kind in northern Ontario, Cambrian produces successful graduates who are in high demand within the industry. 
 
This program prepares you to successfully challenge all the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) operating engineering exams up to and including the Second Class level of qualification. Advanced-level courses covering management and technical reports exceed the Standardized Power Engineers Examination Committee (SOPEEC) Second Class syllabus. 

Program highlights

• Accredited by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) 
• Hands-on training, including supervisory experience opportunities within Cambrian’s TSSA-registered power plant  
• Opportunities for industrial work placements and fieldwork 
• Students are eligible to challenge all TSSA exams up to and including Second Class certification as an operating engineer 
• Advanced-level courses exceed the SOPEEC Second Class syllabus 
• Common first and second year with Cambrian’s Power Engineering Technician program 

Program of study for 2025-26 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.

¹

Course with lab component.

²

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

³

Course delivery will vary based on your intake year.

Admission requirements

For graduates of the new curriculum (OSSD): 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)

Additional admission requirements

Recommendations

• Grade 11 (U) or 12 (U) or (C) chemistry or physics 
• Grade 12 technological design or manufacturing technology course (C) or (U)

Program delivery

2025-2026

Fall term start

SEMESTER 1:  Fall 2025
SEMESTER 2:  Winter 2026
SEMESTER 3:  Fall 2026
SEMESTER 4:  Winter 2027
SEMESTER 5:  Fall 2027
SEMESTER 6:  Winter 2028
SEMESTER 7:  Fall 2028

Specific program pathways

Graduates of Cambrian's Power Engineering Technician (PWTN) program (or graduates from an equivalent program) or the possession of a Third Class Certificate of Qualification in good standing with the TSSA may allow a candidate to enter directly into the third year of the Power Engineering Technology (PWTY) program.  

College or university degree opportunities  

If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian's college and university agreement details for further information. 

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.