On this page:

Overview

Looking for a stable, high-demand career with strong job prospects? Power engineering may be the answer. Certified Fifth Class power engineers keep critical systems running in hospitals, schools, hotels, commercial buildings, and heating plants. Their work includes operating, monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting low-pressure boiler systems and smaller-scale heating plants.

The Fifth Class Power Engineering Certificate of Achievement prepares you for the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) Fifth Class Power Engineering exam and certification. ABSA-approved SAIT training and ABSA certification will set you up to become a licensed Fifth Class power engineer in Alberta.

This program combines instructor-guided and hands-on learning providing the technical knowledge and practical experience you need for certification. You’ll gain the skills employers want while meeting ABSA’s six-month work experience requirement.

This program is ideal if you:

  • want a clear path to a stable, rewarding career as a Fifth Class Power Engineer
  • want a recognized industry certification for high-demand jobs
  • seek hands-on Fifth Class training to fast-track ABSA certification
  • need a flexible, part-time learning option.

You can begin your Power Engineering career in Alberta with ABSA’s Fifth Class or Fourth Class certification. The Fifth Class is not a prerequisite for Fourth Class, but Fourth Class is the first step to progress through Third Class, Second Class and First Class, which is the most advanced competency level. Learn more about our Fourth Class Power Engineering Certificate of Achievement.

To be successful in this program, it is recommend you have:

  • a minimum 50% in High School Grade 10 Math, English, Science (Physics)
  • if you haven’t taken these courses or would like to refresh/upgrade your knowledge, consider taking a Academic Upgrading course equivalent.

If you’re pursuing the certificate,

  • complete PWEN 003 first, followed by PWEN 007.
  • course prerequisites may be met with a course you took with an ABSA-recognized educational institute, provided the course aligns with the most current IPECC curriculum. A copy of your official result letter with final grade from the education provider is required.

Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be able to:

  • apply knowledge of piping, valves, steam traps, and auxiliary systems to ensure the efficient and safe operation of boilers and mechanical systems
  • demonstrate competency in the safe operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of pumps, compressors, refrigeration, and HVAC systems used in steam and heating applications
  • analyze and apply water treatment processes, including raw water preparation and softening, to optimize steam production and system longevity
  • operate and maintain various boiler types, combustion systems, and thermal fluid heating technologies following industry safety standards
  • interpret and assess boiler designs, fittings, controls, and fuel sources to ensure compliance with operational requirements and energy efficiency
  • evaluate and maintain building systems to ensure sustainability and performance, including plumbing, lighting, heating, cooling, and air conditioning controls.

Program outline

To successfully complete this certificate program, you are required to complete a total of two mandatory courses. All supporting course materials and resources are accessible online in the Brightspace (D2L) learning platform.

Required courses & electives

How to apply for this certificate

Once you have registered for any course offered in this certificate, you will be automatically eligible to complete the certificate. You will have up to three years to complete this program. You may track your progression by signing in to your Continuing Education student account.

Certifications and professional designations

Upon successful completion of all required courses in this program, you’ll receive an electronically issued official SAIT Certificate of Achievement and transcript.

SAIT will also provide an official result letter for each of the two courses completed, which you can submit with your application to write the ABSA Fifth Class certification exam to obtain your ABSA Fifth Class Power Engineering Certificate of Competency (i.e. the license to work as a Fifth Class Power Engineer in Alberta).

Power Engineering certification requirements and transfer provisions vary by province and territory across Canada. Check with the regulatory authority in your desired work location for details:

  • want to work in Alberta? Contact ABSA.
  • want to work in another Canadian jurisdiction? Reach out to the local boiler branch in your new jurisdiction.

Costs

This certificate program consists of two courses with varying fees. Fees include access to all course-related materials and resources found in Brightspace (D2L).

Please review the individual course pages for this certificate program to determine costs and to learn more about additional learning materials including textbooks.

Aldred building

Financial support

Financial opportunities are available to help pay for your course fees. Learn more about how to reduce your education or training costs with available awards, bursaries, loans and grants including the Canada Alberta Job Grant. 

Learn more

Careers and opportunities

The training received during this certificate program will be a starting point for a Power Engineering career.

After you have completed both the theory and the lab portion or the equivalent amount of experience required, you may be able to explore career opportunities as an operator in a power plant or heating plant.

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Visit Natoysopoyiis Resource Centre