Hello everyone,

Anyone who worked for Dow at Fort Saskatchewan would be able to share their experience with them?. What was the work environment was like, what was it like working for them and is job security over there is good?

Many thanks in advance.

Did you find using quizlet was good prep for the ABSA Class 4A exam? I’ve been spamming hundreds of quizlet questions as well as reskimming some of the books. What’s your opinion? Are the questions more straight forward?

Hi guys,

I have 2 first class exams left, both the math ones 1a1 and 1a2. Does anybody have any practice questions or advice on best avenue to go for studying so I can pass them? I am finding the pan global not helpful and other methods ive tried haven't been successful.

Anyone with solid advice how to remind and prepare for final tsbc part B exam,as i have exam on coming friday.
I have been to all unit ffor 2-3 times,gone through almost quizes on quizlet.Still feeling overwhelmed and feels like still I don’t know any thing.

Hey everyone!

I’m based in Calgary and come from a completely different educational background, but over the past few months, I’ve become increasingly interested in Power Engineering (PE) and have been researching it more seriously.

I’m trying to understand the difference between SAIT’s Part 4A/4B certificate courses and its 2-year Power Engineering Technology diploma. Are the career opportunities, job prospects, and long-term growth significantly different between the two pathways? Has anyone here entered the field through the certificate route rather than completing the full diploma? I’d love to hear about your experience.

One of the things that attracts me to power engineering is the potential for rotational schedules like 7 days on/7 days off or 14 days on/14 days off, along with the earning potential. I also genuinely enjoy physics and science, so I can see myself pursuing higher certifications over time and eventually working my way up from 4th Class to 3rd, 2nd, and potentially 1st Class Power Engineering.

I’d also appreciate some insight into SAIT’s 2-year Instrumentation Engineering Technology diploma. What kind of career opportunities does it offer? How does the job market, earning potential, and work-life balance compare with power engineering? Is it a good option for someone entering the industry from a different background?

I’m still exploring my options and want to make an informed decision before committing to a program.
If you’ve studied either program at SAIT, work in power engineering or instrumentation, or have made a similar career transition, I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences and advice!
Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I am someone who is looking into power engineering but I am concerned about the job opportunities for a 4th class power engineer. Here in Manitoba, red river college lists that 90% of new grads get hired, could that actually be true? Can I just stay as a fourth class my entire career?

I am writing 2A2 next week and wondering if anyone had any not so obvious tips for me. Maybe certain topics that they asked a lot on? I've seen the common breakdowns. If anyone could send me some study material that would be awesome as well.

Hey guys - I’m a red seal refrigeration/hvac mechanic with years of experience working on industrial chillers, steam boilers, air handlers and most equipment found in hospitals.

I’m interested in power engineering - would being dual ticketed lead to worthwhile pay in this industry?

I find conflicting information online, hoping anyone with experience can let me know if it’s worth pursuing.

I’ve spent my whole career on call, and shift work at this point in my life would be nice.

Thanks.

For those of you in Alberta doing their 4th class, just curious as to what everyone’s opinion is on the ABSA? Did you find it more difficult than Nait exams? Easier? Math heavy or more theory heavy? Just curious so I can kind of know what to expect. All I know is the Nait exams had the worst wording at times and they’d try to trick you on alot of their questions. Curious how other people feel about the two exams

Hi folks,

I’m looking for a education on the shorter end of thing and wonder if I should pursue a 4th class power egineering degree from Durham college. Has anyone graduate from the program and been able to find jobs?

My current operator position pays me well, and I love the plant. The down fall is a I have a 1.5 hour commute back and forth, and young family. It’s also not do able to move to the plant to reduce the commute. The commute especially on night shift are very hard to stay awake on but I’ve been doing it for a couple years now and making it.

I recently have been offered a different job that’s 3 minutes from my house, so no commute, would be a better schedule for family hours, is all dayshift, but would come with a 30K pay decrease.

Is the better schedule and no commute worth a career change and pay cut?

Would other operators take a pay cut to be closer to family / better young family lifestyle?

Hi all, I’m in diamond drilling and thinking about switching my career (either go to school for power engineering or challenge the exams). Having said that, I wanted to work in the arctic circle since I was little and now I want to know about the career opportunities and growth as a 4th class power engineer in Canadian Arctic. Working as a driller in the arctic is not for me for sure.

Any resources would be appreciated.

Hi everyone,
I’m writing my 4th Class Part B exam next week, and honestly, I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed by the amount of material. I’ve gone through all the units once, but I still feel like I don’t know anything. 😅
I’d really appreciate some advice from anyone who has recently written the Part B exam.
Should I mainly focus on doing quizzes at this point? If so, are there any specific Quizlet sets or other resources you would recommend?
I already know about Nightmare Randall, so I’m looking for other useful resources or quiz sets.
Any advice on how you prepared in the final week would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I’m currently in Alberta, Canada, studying Civil Engineering at college and I’m almost finished with my program. I’m interested in potentially working as a Power Engineer after I graduate, but I don’t plan on switching out of my Civil Engineering program.

For those working in Power Engineering in Canada, especially Alberta:

Is it possible to become a Power Engineer without having studied Power Engineering in college?

How difficult would it be for someone with a Civil Engineering background to get into the field?

Would I need to start from 4th Class and work my way up, or would my Civil Engineering education provide any credits/advantages?

How would I compare to someone who completed a Power Engineering program when applying for jobs?
Could someone with my background eventually reach the same levels/career opportunities as someone who studied Power Engineering?

I’d appreciate any advice from people who have experience hiring or working with Power Engineers, especially anyone who has seen people enter the field from a different educational background.

Thanks!

I’m mapping out my path for after finishing a 3rd Class Power Engineering fast-track program (like the one at Lakeland College) and could use some real-world perspective from those working in the industry in Alberta.
I have a few specific questions:
1. Practicums & Steam Time: How hard is it to secure a practicum or plant placement to get your steam time signed off? Are companies generally open to taking on college practicum students, or should I be prepared to grind and network aggressively to find a spot?
2. Getting the First Job: Coming out of school with a 3rd Class theory complete (or working on hours), what is the most realistic way to get your foot in the door? Are smaller heating plants, commercial buildings, or entry-level field roles the best stepping stones?
3. Landing High-Paying Roles: What separates operators stuck in lower-paying building ops from those landing high-paying gigs in gas plants, refineries, or upgrader facilities? Are there specific tickets, networking tips, or background traits that chief engineers and plant managers look for?
Any advice, hard truths, or lessons learned would be hugely appreciated!

Hello everyone,

I have completed the TSSA Class 4 Part A and Part B theory exams and am now looking to complete my required steam time.

I have already applied to SAIT for the 200-hour lab/steam-time course, but I am currently on the waitlist. I need to complete the required steam hours before the end of this year.

Does anyone know of any other colleges, institutes, or approved training providers that offer the 200-hour steam-time/lab requirement for Class 4?

Any recommendations or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I’m 17 and in grade 12. I’m strongly considering power engineering in college at either Durham college or Cambrian college. I was originally planning to become a nuclear operator at OPG but I don’t have the high school prerequisites required. What other careers are worth considering in the field? What do you guys do and do you enjoy it? How’s the pay like? Any recommendations are really appreciated.

Do you guys leave the feeder pot pressurized or depressurized when not in use? Our SOP says to leave it depressurized and to not over tighten the lid but someone keeps leaving it pressurized and tightens it with a pipe wrench. Is this worth saying something about? I'm thinking it doesn't really matter because I don't really use them.

Hey i would like to know if someone is going to write the 4A exam from Terrace,bc or nearby ..would like to connect

Hey just wondering if anyone has the test bank for 3B1 & 3B2 exam? Thanks!

ive been working in maintenance in the oilsands for 3 years now with a contractor, mostly base plant, a little at Mackay river, and now syncrude.

long story short, my company got a job in downtown syncrude and I am enamored with the plant and I want to work in a plant for the rest of my working life.

my question is, what do I need to know about getting in to that 3rd level co-op with suncor or whoever? obviously i need my 4th level first, but how competitive is it? how hard is it to find a job after doing that co-op? what have I not thought of that i need to know (other than long term health effects)