Power Engineering Continuing Education

About Power Engineering

Power engineering isn’t an apprenticeship trade but is divided into levels of skill and training. These levels are referred to as classes, starting with 4th class power engineering and working up to a 1st class certification.

You progress from each class through work experience, completing courses and pass an interprovincial exam.

You must be certified in the previous class before you can start on the next one.

Both 3rd Class and 2nd Class power engineers are currently in high demand.

Lakeland College advantages

• Cut your training time. For 3rd class, it's 6 months instead of 12 months by taking all 4 sections of Lakeland’s online program.
• By choosing online, you can earn while you learn.
• Your online instructor is available for extra help.

Fired Process Heater Operator

This certification allows you to supervise:

• a power plant that uses thermal liquid under pressure of a blanketing gas, not exceeding 700 kPa between 20 kW to unlimited kW
• a power plant that does not produce steam and that uses thermal liquid under pressure of a blanketing gas, not exceeding 700 kPa or a water-glycol mixture with a minimum of 40% glycol between 20 kW to unlimited kW
• a thermal liquid heating system plant between 250 kW to unlimited kW

New courses start on the 20th each month. Please register by the 15th.   

Offered in partnership with Keyera.   

QTRA 350 - Fired Process Heater Operator

This online course is paperless. There are:

• 30 modules
  • includes basic math, elementary thermodynamics, combustion, legislation, piping and valves, thermal liquid heating systems, fired heater parts and fittings, operation, safety, and pressure, temperature, flow and level measurement.
• 30 quizzes
• 7 tests
• 1 midterm (must be proctored)
• 1 final examination (must be proctored)

Proctored exams:

You require a proctor for the midterm and final examinations. More details and forms will be available through the online course. Your proctor must be approved before the exams. Please allow at least 5 business days for proctor confirmation and exam set up.

After the course:

You will be emailed a completion letter after you successfully complete the course.

Once you have successfully completed the course and have your completion letter, you are ready to challenge the ABSA exam.

Follow these steps:

1. Check the detailed description of requirements on ABSA's fired process heater operator page.
2. This page also includes a link to form AB-66. Download this form.
3. The application included verifying your work experience.
4. Also include your Letter of Completion with your application.

Please note:

• There is a fee to write the ABSA exam.
• ABSA recommends submitting your application in advance of your examination. Please check the ABSA requirements and deadlines.
• The exam has 100 multiple choice questions. You have 3 hours to write it.
• 65% is the passing grade.
• If you require a replacement completion letter, there is a form to complete and a $30 replacement fee.

It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the requirements of your province's safety authority.

Course length: 5 months to complete
Total hours: n/a
Cost: $1340 + student fees and textbooks & resource materials  * fees are subject to change
Delivery: online
Prerequisite: none

REGISTER NOW

Note: you may request a one-time 3 month extension if needed. The extension request is $500.

Pre-engineering Mathematics and Applied Mechanics

Gain confidence in your math and physics skills before you start a 4th class power engineering program. What you learn will also help you in your continuing power engineering studies and when you write provincial licensing exams.

In three months you'll cover both applied math and applied mechanics (physics). 

• Courses run every month from August to May
• Registration opens July 1st for Fall course sessions
• Self-paced with instructor support

Elementary Thermodynamics for Power Engineers and Process Operators

This course is specifically designed to help students review topics in thermodynamics. 

Course content helps to prepare you to successfully challenge the thermodynamics portion of the fourth, third and second class power engineering exams. This course is geared towards power engineers and operators and covers the basic theory and operation of all heat transfer equipment (excluding internal combustion engines) found in power engineering and process plants.

Topics covered include:

• heat transfer

• thermal expansion
• combustion theory and firetube boilers
• watertube boilers
• steam tables and calculations
• condensate
• steam turbines
• gas turbines
• gas fire heaters
• heat exchangers
• introduction to refrigeration
• compressed refrigeration
• absorption refrigeration

This course is offered monthly through the academic year.

Course length: 4 months
Cost: $300  *fees subject to change
Delivery: online; instructor support through email
Prerequisite: none

Register now

4th Class Steam Time

Get accredited steam time through Lakeland College to complete your power engineering certification.

You’ll use our 4th class steam lab at the Lloydminster campus.

The lab is approved by the Alberta Boilers Safety Association as meeting the firing time requirements and practical experience to gain full certification.

Note: It's your responsibility to ensure you meet the requirements of the appropriate provincial safety authority

QTRA 231 - 4th class steam lab

This 200 hour course is a combination of hands on training and on-site assignments. 

The course is pass/fall. To pass, you must complete the following:

• 200 hours in the Lakeland College steam lab.
• A schematic and straight line drawing of relevant system(s) chosen by the instructor.
• Completion of each lab lesson assignments as determined by the instructor.

Course length: 5 weeks
Total hours: 200 hours
Cost: $5,500  *fees subject to change
Delivery: onsite at Lakeland College's Lloydminster campus
Prerequisite: Please provide proof of completion of an approved post-secondary power engineering 4th class course. The minimum is completion of the Part A course.
Required supplies: You will receive detailed information about supplies and requirements before the course starts.
Next course: Next course will start May 8, 2023.  Registration is now open.  Limited seats are available.

Register Now