Overview
Second Class Power Engineers are responsible for advanced oversight of large industrial and utility-scale power and heating plants. At this level, professionals apply in-depth technical knowledge, regulatory understanding, and supervisory judgment to support plant performance, safety, and compliance.
The Second Class Power Engineering Certificate of Achievement provides advanced theory and technical knowledge to support preparation for the ABSA Second Class Power Engineering theory exams A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, and B3. The program is designed for individuals progressing from Third Class certification, as well as experienced industry professionals seeking to strengthen advanced plant systems knowledge.
Learn the theory online with instructor support, on a flexible schedule. You’ll study advanced code calculations, thermodynamics, metallurgy, steam generator systems, turbines and engines, fuel and combustion systems, electrical generation and protection, instrumentation and control systems, water treatment processes, environmental compliance systems, and supervisory principles used in complex industrial power facilities.
This program is ideal if you:
- hold a valid ABSA Third Class Power Engineering Certificate of Competency and want to advance to Second Class
- are preparing to write the ABSA Second Class Power Engineering theory exams A1 through B3
- work in a large industrial or utility-scale power plant environment and require advanced technical and supervisory knowledge
- are a senior technical professional seeking Second Class–level power engineering theory knowledge without pursuing certification.
There are no mandatory prerequisites or eligibility requirements to enroll in this program.
To be successful in this program, we recommend you have a minimum 50% in Grade 12 Math, English, Physics. If you haven’t completed these courses, consider taking Academic Upgrading courses first.
Learners will benefit from having Third Class–level theory knowledge, or equivalent education or industry experience, before beginning Second Class theory training. Completion of Third Class Power Engineering theory courses is recommended.
Upon successful completion of this certificate, you’ll be able to:
- apply advanced ASME code calculations, thermodynamic principles, and engineering analysis to complex power plant systems
- interpret and apply boiler and pressure vessel legislation, regulatory requirements, and plant design standards
- analyze the design, operation, maintenance, and inspection requirements of steam generators, pressure vessels, turbines, engines, and associated auxiliaries
- evaluate fuel, combustion, draft, steam, and environmental control systems to support safe and efficient plant performance
- apply advanced knowledge of electrical generation, distribution, protection, and control systems used in large industrial facilities
- assess water chemistry, treatment processes, materials performance, corrosion control, and equipment integrity considerations
- integrate mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and supervisory principles to support technical decision-making in complex power plant environments.
Program outline
To earn this certificate, you must complete the six mandatory courses below. You may complete these courses in any order; however, for ABSA certification purposes, we recommend following the sequence: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3. A SAIT Certificate of Achievement is issued only upon successful completion of the six courses at SAIT.
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 the required courses in this certificate program, you’ll receive an electronically issued SAIT Certificate of Achievement and transcript.
SAIT will also provide an official result letter for each course completed. These result letters may be submitted with your application to write the ABSA Second Class Part A1, Part A2, Part A3, Part B1, Part B2 and Part B3 theory certification exams.
To obtain the Alberta Boilers Safety Association Second Class Certificate of Competency, you must also provide proof of applicable operating experience or steam time in a power or heating plant. ABSA recognizes multiple training and experience pathways. Operating experience credit is granted only upon completion of all six Second Class theory courses. Completion of fewer than six courses does not qualify for credit. If you have completed all six courses and are employed in eligible roles at qualifying power plants, as defined by ABSA, you may be eligible to receive up to nine months of credit toward the operating experience requirements.
Power Engineering certification requirements and transfer provisions vary by province and territory across Canada. Check with the regulatory authority where you plan to work:
- Planning to work in Alberta? Contact ABSA.
- Planning to work elsewhere in Canada? Contact the local boiler branch in that jurisdiction.
Costs
This certificate program consists of six courses with varying fees. Please review the individual course pages for this certificate program to determine costs and to learn more about additional learning materials, including textbooks.
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 Productivity Grant.
Careers and opportunities
With this program and all other ABSA certification requirements met, you’ll be prepared to pursue opportunities as a Second Class Power Engineer in large industrial and utility-scale power and heating facilities. The program also supports senior operational, supervisory, technical, and plant management roles that require advanced Second Class–level power engineering knowledge.
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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.