School of Applied Sciences and Technology

Power Engineering Technology

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Harness the power

Power engineers work to keep our lights on and motors running. They are responsible for all aspects of generating, transmitting and making use of electrical power, and since nearly all facets of modern society require electricity at some stage, these professionals play an essential role in our economy and everyday life.

In this comprehensive 2-year diploma program, you’ll study thermodynamics, electricity, electronics, refrigeration and air conditioning. You’ll also gain skills in mechanical drafting, blueprint reading, technical mathematics and physics. By the end of the program, you’ll have the foundational knowledge and skills to gain provincially-recognized certification and begin a rewarding career as a power engineering technologist.

Sep 01, 2023

Quick Facts

Credential: Diploma

Diplomas are credit programs that take 2 to 3 years and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.

Campus: Main

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • On-Campus Day - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday in the daytime.

Length: 2 Years

With a typical full-time course load, this program will take 2 Years to complete.

Open Studies: Not Available

This program does not currently have any courses available for Open Studies.

International Students: Accepted

This program accepts international students, however, program availability may be limited. Check program availability for this term. This program also meets the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.

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Median Starting Salary: $82,004

Salaries are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and are not a guarantee of future income.

View Career Outcomes

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

The Power Engineering Technology 2-year diploma program will prepare you for progression through the 4th Class, 3rd Class and 2nd Class - Part A ABSA levels by providing both theoretical and practical training.

The intent of the program is to prepare you to make both safety and efficiency a priority on the job. In the classroom, we will discuss foundational concepts of boilers, electricity, instrumentation, safety, codes and legislation, thermodynamics and physics. 

By the time you graduate, you will have the knowledge, skills and confidence to:

  • operate boilers
  • operate turbines
  • control and operate refrigeration and air conditioning systems
  • maintain and repair boilers and auxiliaries, pumps, compressors, turbines, generators
  • commission equipment

You’ll need to pass all courses and attend a minimum of 80% of the theory classes, 100% of the labs and 100% of the plant practicum to successfully complete the program. 

Tools for success

To be successful in this program, you’ll need to demonstrate manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination and mechanical inclination for the operation of switches and control of monitoring instruments. Colour vision may also be required by some employers.

Attendance

Instruction at NAIT is intensive and involves training in specific skills and techniques that the graduate will need in industry. Each program prescribes specific attendance requirements. Students must communicate with their Instructors and Program Chair of any foreseen absences.

Students must attend at least 80% in theory courses, as per the program policy. ABSA mandates 100% attendance to pass the Power Engineering Labs, this time is used to calculate your steam time for the ABSA Certificate(s). The Power Engineering Advisory Committee made up of Industry members strongly supports the adherence to this policy. Students will receive a not complete in courses and will have to remediate the deficiency before successful completion and may receive a minimum pass grade for courses that this program requirement was not met in.

Both online theory courses and Power Lab attendance will be tracked to ensure that course attendance requirements are met.
Students receiving training allowances or other forms of financial assistance are expected to be aware of and comply with the conditions of their sponsorship, which generally require regular attendance. The student is responsible for providing attendance requirements directly to the sponsoring agency to ensure continued financial assistance.


Practicum/co-op/work experience

The Plant Practicum (POWT2395) portion of the Power Engineering Technology program is designed to provide you with industrial experience. Only qualified students (who have completed and passed all Level 1 courses successfully AND have successfully completed the ABSA, 4th Class A & B papers) may be assigned to industrial plants where they will be exposed to the many phases of power engineering.

  • Length: 480 Hours/13.25 Weeks (nominal)
  • Salary: Paid and Unpaid Placements
  • Relocation: Possible

Please note: You will be charged the tuition fee for both the paid and unpaid plant practicums. This fee covers, staffing costs related to the plant practicum, room usage for interviews, industry information sessions, etc.

Career Outcomes

Work Experience Placements

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 7 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program

Any POWT related courses that are to be looked at for advance/transfer credit can be considered but not necessarily granted due to the need to have the student be successful in learning the ABSA accredited standardized curriculum being used and the impact it has on being successful in passing the ABSA examinations. There can be a better possibility of granting advance/transfer credits for 'academic' courses such as physics and mathematics subject to the minimum requirements of the course(s) in question and equivalencies to the existing NAIT courses (e.g. PHYS 1146 or PHYS 2446 or MATH 1141).

Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)

Please see below for the list of courses that available for PLAR credits in this program. Please click on the specific course for more information on the evidence that is required for each course.

Please refer to the Credit for Work and Life Experience page for more information on how to apply for PLAR credits.

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Courses

Expand each course below to see details about credits, requisites, scheduling, and more.

Tuition & Fees

Scholarships & Awards

The following scholarships and/or bursaries are available to you as a student in this program. To access your opportunities, visit the Student Portal.

Admission Requirements

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.

General inquiries

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Program-specific questions

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

Articulations

Please note: Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca.

For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca.

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Learn how to register through Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS) or begin the application process.

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