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Overview
From power plants to manufacturing facilities, power engineers keep critical systems running efficiently and safely. SAIT’s Fourth Class Power Engineering Certificate of Achievement provides the energy systems, safety protocols, and equipment operation knowledge you need for a key role in the energy industry and in industries that rely on steam and power systems.
Start the program with this Fourth Class Part A theory course, which prepares you to write the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) Fourth Class Part A theory certification exam. This course will also prepare you for the next theory course: PWEN 112 - Fourth Class Power Engineering Part B.
Learn part-time online with instructor support on your schedule. The curriculum covers essential topics including boiler construction, combustion, refrigeration, HVAC fundamentals, turbines, and compressors to build both theoretical knowledge and practical insights for career success. Your learning experience combines textbook study with interactive online chapter assessments that reinforce key concepts, while instructor consultation ensures you fully understand the material. The course concludes with a final proctored online exam taken at a physical testing centre of your choice.
This course is ideal if you:
- want to earn your ABSA Fourth Class certification and grow in a high-demand industry
- are looking to strengthen your expertise in boiler systems, plant operations, and energy management
- want practical, job-ready skills that employers look for in power engineering
- need flexible online learning that fits your work and personal schedule.
To be successful in this program, we recommend you have a minimum 50% in Grade 10 Math, English, and Science (Physics). If you haven't completed these courses, consider taking Academic Upgrading courses first.
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- perform preparatory math topics for power engineering
- perform basic calculations related to elementary mechanics and dynamics
- understand elementary physical, chemical, and thermodynamic principles
- describe power engineering and its governance in Canada
- explain basic plant and fire safety describe plant operations and the environment
- explain the elements of material science and welding
- describe fluid handling technology
- describe basic concepts in electrotechnology
- describe energy plant instrumentation and controls
- use fundamental industrial communication tools
- describe the fundamentals of boiler design
- describe various elements of boiler systems.
To request a course outline, contact ConEdAdvising@sait.ca.
Successful completion of PWEN 002 Fourth Class Part A prepares you to write ABSA's Fourth Class Part A exam.
To receive the ABSA Fourth Class Certificate of Competency (license to work as a Fourth Class Power Engineer), you'll also be required to complete the PWEN 112 Fourth Class Part B theory course and write ABSA's Fourth Class Part B exam. Operational experience/steam time in a power or heating plant will also be required. If you cannot obtain this supervised experience through current work/employment, consider taking our PWEN 005 Fourth Class lab course, which will qualify you for ABSA’s six-month experience requirement.
SAIT's passing grade is 50%, while the ABSA Certificate of Competency exams require 65%.
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.
Upcoming dates
Select an available section and add it to your cart. When you're ready, proceed to check out to sign into your student account and complete your registration.
Don't have a student account? Let's set one up!
Registration closes seven days before the start date for on-campus, online scheduled, and blended courses, and one day before the start date for online self-paced courses.
After you've completed this course
Upon successful completion of this course, SAIT will issue you an official result letter for you to submit with your ABSA Fourth Class certification exam application.
Costs
Textbook and supplies
Included in the purchase of this course, you'll receive access to online course content in Brightspace (D2L).
You are required to purchase the following reading materials from the SAIT Bookstore website:
- Power Engineering Fourth Class Textbooks Part A, Ed. 3.5
- Academic Supplement, Ed. 2.0
- Preparatory Math Topics for Power Engineering, Ed. 2.0
Technology
To be successful in this course, you’ll need:
- Access to your own computer or laptop with standard hardware/software requirements.
- Internet access
Additional information
An additional proctoring fee applies to write the final exam at your chosen testing centre.
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.
Applicable certificates
This course applies to the following certificate programs:
- Certification type
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Certificate of Achievement
Train your team
Interested in group training opportunities for this course? Tell us about your organization's needs, and one of our training consultants will contact you within one business day.
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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.