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Programs

Power Engineering Technician

PWTNSchool of Engineering Technology

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Student wearing safety glasses and a cap operates industrial machinery with pipes and valves.

Key Details

Program Start Dates

September 2025

Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.

Program Delivery

Campus / Full-time

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Duration

4 Semesters

Program Contacts

Gregory Rickard

Program Coordinator / Professor

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.7869
Spencer Julien

Program Coordinator / Professor

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.6868
International Admissions
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Program Overview

Close-up of a computer screen displaying a blurry graph and data interface in light blue tones.

Our TSSA-registered power plant is your classroom

Train for an in-demand career as a power engineering technician with a curriculum endorsed by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), and a power plant right on campus. You’ll gain theoretical concepts in the classroom reinforced with practical experience in the Power Engineering Training Facility, where you will learn to operate and maintain working equipment safely and efficiently. 
 
Courses taught will prepare you to challenge the TSSA examinations required for the Fourth and Third Class levels of certification as an Operating Engineer. 

Program Highlights

Program highlights

  • Capped enrolment 
  • Accredited by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) 
  • Hands-on training in our on-campus TSSA-registered power plant 
  • Opportunities for industrial work placements 
  • Students are eligible to challenge the TSSA exams at the Fourth and Third Class Operating Engineer certification levels

Admissions

Admission requirements

For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:

  • Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
  • Any grade 12 mathematics (C) or (U) (MCT4C is highly recommended)

International Student Admissions

Are you an international student? Learn more about additional requirements.

Learn more

Additional admission requirements

Recommendations

  • Any grade 11 (U) or 12 (U) or (C) chemistry or physics 

Grade 12 technological design or manufacturing technology course (C) or (U)

Academic Upgrading

Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!

Program delivery

Program delivery

2025-2026

Fall term start

  • Semester 1: Fall 2025
  • Semester 2: Winter 2026
  • Semester 3: Fall 2026
  • Semester 4: Winter 2027

Program of Study

Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year  

Students are required to successfully complete an online Lab Safety course (in Moodle) when starting their program at Cambrian.  This course must be completed prior to entering the labs (as identified in the table below) in the Schools of Skills Training, Engineering Technology and Environmental Studies.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
PEG 1108Power Plant Operation I 111
PEG 1225Electricity & Control Systems I3
PEG 1115Applied Science3
PEG 1007Boilers & Auxiliaries I4
PEG 1126Safety & Administration I2
ENG 1002College Communications3
 Credits26
Semester 2
PEG 1220Heating, Refrig./Gas Compression I3
PEG 1231Power Plant Operations II 111
PEG 1261Building Systems3
PEG 1008Prime Movers I4
PEG 1215Applied Chemistry I2
One General Education course. 23
 Credits26
Semester 3
ENG 1754Technical Communication3
PEG 2330Power Plant Operation III 14
PEG 23253A1 – Math, Physics & Thermodynamics4
PEG 24203A2 – Electricity & Control Systems II4
PEG 24303A2- Safety & Administration II4
One General Education course. 23
 Credits22
Semester 4
PEG 2442Power Plant Operation IV 14
PEG 23103B1 – Applied Chemistry II2
PEG 2410Power Plant Simulation Operations3
PEG 23213B1 – Boilers and Auxiliaries II3
PEG 23153B2 – Heating, Refrig. & Gas Comp. II4
PEG 24263B2 – Prime Movers II3
PEG 1006Nuclear and Alternate Energy3
One General Education course. 23
 Credits25
 Total Credits99
1

 Course with Lab Component

2

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

For students who wish to continue their education in Power Engineering Technology; an additional 1-credit course "Field Placement II" is necessary between second and third year. Placement officers will provide assistance in obtaining placement opportunities for these students.

Fees

Tuition Cost

Canadian Students

$4,031.29Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

International Students

$18,126.67Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

Important Notice

Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.

Tuition and ancillary fees

Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.

Books and supplies

Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.

College may be more affordable than you think!

Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!

Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!

Work-integrated learning (WIL)

Take your education beyond the classroom!

Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.

Field of Study

School of Engineering Technology

Imagine a career in a cutting-edge laboratory or inside a mine 5,000 feet below the ground or on-site constructing a skyscraper. At Cambrian, learning isn’t confined to textbooks. From chemical and civil engineering to mechatronics, mechanical, and more, at our School of Engineering Technology, you’ll gain the skills you need to bring a wide range of engineering theories to life.

Learn more

Specific program pathway

Furthering your studies

If you are a student who has successfully completed the Power Engineering Technician program, you may enter directly into the Power Engineering Technology program.  This will be helpful if you are considering further education and higher certification levels in power engineering.

Graduates of Cambrian’s Power Engineering Techniques (PETQ) program or its equivalent who also possess a Fourth Class Certificate of Qualification – in good standing with the TSSA – may apply to enter directly into semester three of the Power Engineering Technician (PWTN) or Power Engineering Technology (PWTY) program. This is a competitive process.

College or university degree opportunities  

If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information.

Career Outcomes

Employment opportunities

Graduates may find employment in industrial and non-industrial settings operating, maintaining and managing complex energy systems. These types of systems may be located in:

  • Manufacturing, extractive resource facilities and processing plants
  • Power plants, alternative energy and cogeneration facilities
  • Refrigeration, liquification and gas compression plants
  • Petrochemical facilities, refineries and paper mills
  • Institutional and commercial operations such as hospitals, correctional facilities, research facilities and universities 
  • District energy facilities and heating / cooling plants
media1A radiology student Julia working with equipment.

Need a career coach?

Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!

See where you'll be learning!

Minimum technology requirements

Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.

Bring your own device (BYOD)

Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!

Ready to take the first step?

Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!

Have Questions?
We are here to help.

If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!

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