Students from the Prairie South and Holy Trinity School Divisions will be challenging the industry-recognized 5th Class Power Engineering Certification in June. The 10 students are wrapping up two high school credits, Introduction to Power Engineering 20L and 30L, at schools in these divisions. Assiniboia, Coronach and Gravelbourg Grade 11 and 12 students joined those from Moose Jaw, Central Butte and Avonlea to participate in this career exploration experience.
Prairie South saw a need to provide career learning and SaskPower had a need for power engineers. The divisions have partnered with SaskPower to provide a blended learning delivery model that allows students the opportunity to explore Power Engineering pathways along with other trades regardless of where they live in the province. Each course consists of 50-60 hours of online theory and 50 hours of work-study at the Poplar River SaskPower plant and mobile steam lab. Power Engineering 20L is run in the first semester and Power Engineering 30L is run in the second semester.
The program is designed to help high school students earn requirements towards power engineering certification. It also introduced them to an active workplace while they build employable skills.
There are five levels of provincial certification for power engineers starting from 5th Class up to 1st Class. This program allows Grade 11 and 12 students in Prairie South School Division to earn high school credits in power engineering and then to challenge the exam for 5th Class power engineers. Once they achieve level five, they can study further and take exams to work their way up to level one.
Power engineers are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of industrial equipment such as boilers, steam and gas turbines, generators, gas and diesel internal combustion engines, pumps, condensers, compressors, pressure vessels and related controls. They are employed in many different industries where boilers are used, such as gas plants, power generating plants, heavy oil and others.
