Education · 1 of 4

The path

A diploma gets you the first certificate. Plant time and exams get you the rest.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 math, physics and chemistry. Boilers are chemistry and thermodynamics in a steel box.

2. 2

   Power engineering program

   1 to 2 years

   A two-year diploma at SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology), Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Red River, Conestoga or Nova Scotia Community College. Includes time in a real steam lab.

3. 3

   4th class certificate

   During or right after school

   Write the provincial exam papers. Most diploma programs let you challenge 4th class before you graduate, and SAIT graduates can challenge 3rd class.

4. 4

   Work and climb the classes

   1 to 2 years per class

   Each higher class (3rd, 2nd, 1st) needs qualifying time operating a plant under a certificate, usually a year or more per class, plus more exam papers.

5. 5

   Chief engineer

   6 to 10 years total

   A 2nd or 1st class certificate lets you be the chief of a large high-pressure plant.