Job Trends - Canada - Power Engineer

The job of power engineers is to operate and maintain machines like generators, boilers, turbines, reactors, engines and equipment used to generate light, heat and other utilities. Power engineers can find employment in power generation plants, electrical power utilities, manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities, government institutions and commercial establishments.

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Job prospects for power engineers Power engineers-NOC 9241

All jobs available in the labour market in Canada are classified as per the National Classification Code (NOC). Each of the occupation groups has a unique NOC code assigned. In Canada, an individual working in an occupation with NOC 9241 can expect to earn somewhere between CAD 21.62/hour and CAD 57.70/hour. The median wage for this profession is approximately CAD 38.85 per hour and the maximum wages for this profession is in the Canadian province of Alberta where it is CAD 45.00 per hour.
 

Prevailing Hourly wages for NOC 9241 in Canada
	Low	Median	High
CANADA	21.62	38.85	57.70
Province/ Territory	Low	Median	High
Alberta	26.07	45.00	63.00
British Columbia	27.20	38.12	57.00
Manitoba	25.27	37.20	49.70
New Brunswick	18.75	25.98	43.00
Newfoundland and Labrador	20.50	32.00	45.00
Northwest Territories	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nova Scotia	15.00	32.50	43.00
Nunavut	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ontario	23.08	41.00	58.00
Prince Edward Island	21.00	25.00	43.27
Quebec	17.00	27.00	52.00
Saskatchewan	23.57	44.58	58.50
Yukon	N/A	N/A	N/A

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Skills/Knowledge required for NOC 9241 in Canada

Generally, the following essential skills will be required for working in Canada as an power engineer –

Essential skills	·         Reading ·         Document use ·         Writing ·         Numeracy ·         Oral communication ·         Thinking ·         Digital technology
Other essential skills	·         Working with others ·         Continuous learning

 
3-year job prospect-

The job prospect in the next three years for this profession is fair in most of the provinces of Canada. Future job prospects for NOC 9241 in Canada, by province and territory.

Job prospects	Location in Canada
Good	New Brunswick
Fair	·         Alberta ·         British Columbia ·         Manitoba ·         Newfoundland and Labrador ·         Nova Scotia ·         Ontario ·         Prince Edward Island ·         Quebec ·         Saskatchewan ·         Yukon
Limited	Northwest Territories
Undetermined	Nunavut

 
10-year predictions

There will be more job openings than job seekers for this position in the next ten years. Vacancies may not get filled due to skill shortage.
 

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school education.
• A college training program in stationary or power engineering and several years of work experience in the field.
• Power engineers require, according to class, a provincial or territorial power engineering or stationary engineering certificate.
• In Nova Scotia and Quebec, stationary engineering trade qualification according to class (4th, 3rd, 2nd or 1st class) is mandatory and available, but is voluntary in New Brunswick.
• Power system operators are required to complete a three- to five-year apprenticeship program for power system operators or more than three years of industrial work experience and other electrical and electronic technology college or industry courses.
• Trade certification is available, but is voluntary for Newfoundland and Labrador power system operators.
• Nuclear power plant control room operators need a license from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Professional license requirements

Before you can start practicing, you may need to get a professional license from a regulatory authority. Depending upon the specific profession, licensing may be compulsory or voluntary.

• You must get a license before you can practice the profession and use the professional title if the license is compulsory.
• You don’t need to be licensed to practice this profession if the certification is voluntary.

Do find out if your occupation is regulated in the specific province or territory in Canada.
 

Provincial regulation requirements in Canada for NOC 9241  (Note. NOC 9241 is regulated in all the provinces listed below.)
Location	Job Title	Regulatory body
Alberta	Power Engineer	Alberta Boilers Safety Association
British Columbia	Boiler Operator	Technical Safety BC
	Power Engineer
	Refrigeration Operator
Manitoba	Power Engineer	Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner
Newfoundland and Labrador	Power Systems Operator	Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division, Department of Advanced Education and Skills of Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia	Power Engineer	Technical Safety Division, Labour and Advanced Education
Ontario	Facilities Mechanic	Ontario College of Trades
	Facilities Technician
	Process Operator (power)
	Operator	Technical Standards and Safety Authority
	Operating Engineer
Prince Edward Island	Power Engineer	Department of Communities, Land, and Environment, Prince Edward Island Government
Quebec	Distribution System Controller	Emploi Québec
	Stationary Engine Mechanic
Saskatchewan	Power Engineer	Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan

Responsibilities of power engineers

• Clean and lubricate machines and machinery
• Analyze and document readings of instruments and malfunctions of devices
• Service of hydro, thermal and nuclear power plant equipment
• Regulate and coordinate the loads, frequency and line voltage of the transmission
• Write documentation of plant or building activities
• Assist in finding and isolating issues with the device
• Issuing jobs and checking licenses for workers in electrical and mechanical maintenance
• Assist in the development of procedures for service, repair and protection
• Operate computerized or automatic control systems
• Perform scheduled maintenance of equipment
• Troubleshooting, taking corrective steps or minor repairs
• Assist during routine testing of systems
• Track and inspect plant equipment and systems to identify malfunctions of equipment and to ensure that plant systems normally operate
• Keep a regular record of operations, repairs and security activities

Permanent residence in Canada can be acquired through various pathways. The most sought-after Canada immigration routes for a foreign skilled worker are – the Express Entry system, and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

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