r/powerengineering

I am in Ontario, Canada, have a Power Engineering diploma, and passed both TSSA 4A and 4B provincial exams towards 4th class certification.

Problem is I've never been able to get hired to get the required steam time in Ontario.

Does anyone know any employers who are actually hiring graduates, so they can get the steam time and become 4th class?

I keep hearing that they pay way less than the other big oil players. How’s the work environment there as well?

I’m thinking of starting preparation for 1A1, as it will be my first First Class exam. I would appreciate your advice. Is it enough to thoroughly prepare all the problems from the PanGlobal book and study all the thermodynamic cycles, or should I focus on additional materials as well?

These are the Exam banks for Alberta i used them for my 4th class exams in manitoba and were very handy. Some of my questions on my exams were worded for word out of these things

4A

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QpZ-HYjcXKMxZnwofrb\_cbzqBXmgmgFv/view?usp=drivesdk

4B

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DoRIdG6CpqupL9LWpCRek2QN3BrQ2E8k/view?usp=drivesdk

Over the last few years we’ve seen several mills across BC shut down or curtail operations, and it feels like there’s a lot more uncertainty in the industrial sector lately. I’m curious what people in power engineering are actually seeing out there right now in terms of hiring, layoffs, wages, and competition for jobs. Does the market still feel strong to you, or does the overall economy and mill situation have people a little anxious about the future?

I’m currently doing my power engineering class 4 online through NAIT. I was pretty confident with alot of the modules i’ve read so far (Part A first 6 Modules) but I struggled immensely with the unit knowledge check tests on the NAIT portal. Are these knowledge test questions very similar to what the actual Midterm/Final questions are like? They are super specific and worded very confusing. I’m barely passing some of these knowledge checks with an 80 and some with like 60-70%. It’s stressing me out

Only one i’m missing is the preparatory math module for Class 4A and I need that to start my online course. I have everything else, does anyone have a pdf of it?

Hey everyone, I’m looking for newer edition PDF’s of 2B1 and 2B2 if anyone has them.

Thanks

I’m working in a TSSA Second Class plant with three large chillers, and both myself and the chief engineer hold 4th Class tickets.

I’m trying to figure out how to qualify for both my 3rd Class Operating Engineer certification and Refrigeration Operator “B”.

Would my current plant experience count toward both? And what’s the best path to get the required hours and approvals in this situation?

Also, who should be signing off on my experience letter in this case?

Out of 100 questions on the ABSA, how many of them were math roughly?

Does anyone have any information to shed light on this? It’s a bit of a personal question . From friends who work as field operators at Bruce power, they make the most vs. Field ops in the valley, they make more .

I’d love to know which one makes more . And to finally settle the debate on who makes more

Good evening, I’m just wondering if anybody has any experience with getting their power engineering our signed off with a trade background

I’m a licensed Steam fitter/Pipefitter that holds a valid red seal certification. I’m currently in the process of challenging my 4th class power engineering but im wondering how do I go about getting my hours signed off?

I’ve done lots of construction work from turnarounds to new construction with construction contractors through my local union hall. I’ve worked directly with operations as well a fair amount of my career.

I don’t know any power engineers in my personal life and I don’t have contact information for the ones I worked with in the field before but is there a way to get them signed off?

Please let me know if you have any experience in this since I’m just getting into this side of things and when I did my apprenticeship, the hours seem to be a lot easier to get signed off as.

How’s the work environment, training, management, schedule, and overall culture? Pros/cons?

Would love to hear some firsthand experiences. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m almost 40 and recently registered for BCIT’s 4th Class Power Engineering Part A online program.

I come from an engineering + software background, and after spending years in tech, I’m exploring Power Engineering as a possible long-term transition into building operations / industrial systems / infrastructure-related work.

I’ve been reading a lot of mixed opinions online lately. Some people say there’s still demand, while others say the entry-level market has become extremely competitive, especially for people without steam time.

I’m hoping to get some realistic insight from people currently in the program or already working in the field.

A few questions:

• How competitive is it to get into the BCIT Power Lab after finishing the online courses?
• Is there usually a long waitlist?
• How difficult is it to get steam time / the full 4th Class ticket afterward?
• What’s the BC job market actually like right now for newcomers?
• Are employers open to hiring older career changers?
• Do employers care that the theory portion was completed online?
• Is refrigeration/ammonia experience becoming almost mandatory now?

I’m not expecting an easy path — just trying to understand the reality before going too far down this road.

Would really appreciate honest opinions and experiences.

Thanks!

Hi,

Does anyone know whether or not a new 4th Class Power Engineer can get a job at a FIFO Oil Sands or Mine as a first job? I'd prefer oil sands, but will take mining in Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut. It would depend where they fly. I'd like e facility where I can progress to 3rd class fairly quickly.

I know this is way too late for this as I have the exam the day after tomorrow. Just want to know my chances. I’ve practiced almost all the example math questions from the pan global books. Gas laws, Thermo, Forces, KE=PE, Mensuration, Simple machines, Density all that sorts of stuff.
to the point where i’m able to literally to mental math and memorize formulas provided in academic supplement.

I haven’t been able to cover
- Calorimetry
- Water Equivalent
- Bending moments (only know how to do easy ones)

The rest i’ve been able to do. I’ve also been utilizing PE101 as well and scoring 84-90s each time. I’ve also looked through most of the theory but not all.

Just having last minute nervousness and do not want to do this exam again. Do you guys think I’ll be fine?

Writing ABSA 3A1 tomorrow, what type of questions should I expect? Thankyou so much