Building Operations/ Power Engineering

[tenyardrambo]

Like every other 'trade' every company wants experience. Does anyone know how to start in this field? I am taking my 5th Class Power Engineering but can't find anything. I attempted a placement agency but it seems like they are dragging their feet all the time.

I know that this field is in desperate need of qualified workers in the next 5 years.

Any advice? I pounded almost every property management company with my resume and phone call.

[BEANZ]

Apply at Talisman. I know for a fact that they are currently looking. PM me if you want additional details.

[Matata]

I'm not sure why your fixated on property management companies, it sounds like your skill set would fit the entire HVAC field.

The best place to network would be with the local ASHRAE chapter and join their YEA program (young engineers in ASHRAE). Unfortunately, they had their YEA night last night . When I talked with the chapter president, he told me "as long as you keep coming to these meetings, you can do anything you want in this city", so don't get discouraged, people from nearly every HVAC company in the city routinely attend these dinners and are always happy to speak with students (also, everything is free for students).

Is there an area you want to specialize in? (I specialize in green building design and would highly recommend that speciality) The engineers at Stantec and Dialog always seem happy with their lot, so those are some good places to try.

[tenyardrambo]

Originally Posted by Matata

I'm not sure why your fixated on property management companies, it sounds like your skill set would fit the entire HVAC field.

The best place to network would be with the local ASHRAE chapter and join their YEA program (young engineers in ASHRAE). Unfortunately, they had their YEA night last night . When I talked with the chapter president, he told me "as long as you keep coming to these meetings, you can do anything you want in this city", so don't get discouraged, people from nearly every HVAC company in the city routinely attend these dinners and are always happy to speak with students (also, everything is free for students).

Is there an area you want to specialize in? (I specialize in green building design and would highly recommend that speciality) The engineers at Stantec and Dialog always seem happy with their lot, so those are some good places to try.

The reason I am fixiated on the property management companies is because I was told thats where the majority of the jobs are. Like you posted I will look into all options for sure. Thanks!

[guzzy]

Move to fort Mac o Edmonton. The refineries are always looking. Mcmurray will take anyone they can. A lot of places are flying charter in and out of conklin area and doing 7 on 7 off while living in camp. It's good money.

[MrMastodonFarm]

5th class?

That's probably why.

[tenyardrambo]

Originally Posted by BEANZ

Apply at Talisman. I know for a fact that they are currently looking. PM me if you want additional details.

Is that the Talisman center?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by tenyardrambo

Is that the Talisman center?

Oh boy.

[Rerun]

My cousin is a power engineer for Sask Energy..

He makes mucho dinero and gets a ton of holiday time off every year


P.S.... Talisman = Taliman Energy

[Svartsengi]

I have been in Power Engineering for over 12 years and love it. Do you want to be a Building Operator or a Power Engineer?. Yes the certificates all say Power Engineer but that was not always the case. 5th class is a building operator. That is really all you can do.

If you want to work in a power plant, gas plant, oil refinery, etc. you will want to get your 3rd class. It can be done at SAIT here in Calgary. Two year program full time and then you will be able to write your 3rd class papers.

Most jobs in this industry that pay well are not located in the Calgary area. You will need to move. Fort McMurray has been mentioned and yes that is one place to start. Sending resumes won't do a thing. You need to go up to Fort McMurray.

Another thing. This industry is all about shift work. 12 hour rotating shifts is the norm. If you don't like shift work stay as a Building Operator. You will have opportunity to work just during the day but the pay for a Building Operator is not very good.

I have alot more information about the industry. PM me if interested.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by guzzy

Mcmurray will take anyone they can.

No, they won't. If you want to work up north in a refinery/extraction plant (as a power engineer), you're not going to do it with a 5th.

To the OP, Svartsengi made some good points. I'll add a few thoughts of my own:

Even if all you're looking for is building operations, I'd still recommend taking the full 2 year course at SAIT or NAIT (or see if they still have the one year course that offers a 4th class). While yes, a 5th class is a bare minimum for building operations, most places in the city (YYC, hospitals, offices buildings, breweries) want at least a 4th class.

If you have your third, there's a number of gas plants around the city that you can make good money at (not phenomenal, but definitely good), but you'll need your third.

If you're taking your 5th by correspondence, it's a kind of a double edged sword. You need steam time to get a job, but you're going to need a job to get steam time.

It sounds like I was in the same boat as you 8 years ago. I tried the 5th class route (when the steam time regulations were a bit more relaxed than they are now) and after a year of getting nowhere, I made the sacrifice to do the full time course. I don't regret it one bit. Any questions feel free to PM.

[tenyardrambo]

I contacted a few places in Ft McMurray today and found out that the 5th Class is difficult to get(like you stated), most people in Ft McMurray have at least a 4th and a 3rd.

Some industries/plants in Calgary are always looking for 4th's and 3rds.
The problem I have is the $$$, 5th was only 1400 and the 4th is near triple that. I might have to save up to take those courses at SAIT and work a graveyard shift part time.

Thanks everyone for the replies, very helpful.

I know another route I was told to go through is the bigger property management companies who offer free education but you usually have to sign for 18months so they get their value out of you.

decisions decisions

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by tenyardrambo

The problem I have is the $$$, 5th was only 1400 and the 4th is near triple that. I might have to save up to take those courses at SAIT and work a graveyard shift part time.

Take a good look at student loans. It's not an easy course to work graveyards through. Due to steam time requirements you actually have to show up to almost all of your classes.

Keep in mind you should be able to find summer work that will pretty much take care of the dollars for the second year.

[maverickstruth]

You can get your 4th completely through distance ed (via SAIT) and then just need your hands on time -- which you can also do through SAIT as a standalone 200hr lab. Might be an option.

http://sait.ca/pages/cometosait/cont...ineering.shtml Has the info.

[8sPOT]

Bumping this as I have a question for you guys.

I've completed the SAIT Part A and B exams now, and if all goes according to plan by the end of the summer I'll have my 4th Class ticket.

Question is, once I get on somewhere as an Operator I'd like to start on my 3rd class.

Any of you do the 3rd class by correspondence? I've done the 4th that way so far and while it took me about 8 months it wasn't too bad.

Ok, so maybe I have two questions. Any of you work as an Operator within say 100km of Calgary? I work at camp now and while its not horrible, I'd much rather be home every night.

[lucky1]

Once you have your fourth and are working, I believe you can write the part 'A' of your third right away....when you have enough steam time, you can write the part 'B'...... There is no correspondence involved.
If your workplace is fairly big, there will be a library of old test questions floating around that you can practice on. Also, buy the 3rd class module package from SAIT, and get to know this website
http://www.sopeec.org/

Good to see some fellow power engineers on this board!

[8sPOT]

Thats good to know.

I'll check out that module package.

Thanks!