any power engineers on the board?
 

Hi everyone!

Just wondering if there are any power engineers on the board. I am on my way to completing my 4th class ticket. I will most likely carry on to my power and process but I just wanted to get a feel for what it's like in terms of difficulty seeking employment out there and what are some things to keep in mind? ie, go to the union meetings to network? tips, pointers, ANYTHING is greatly appreciated!

cheers!

4 of my friends are PE's. They are all 3rd class and above. 1 works at Chevron making the big bucks, the other is up north making even bigger bucks, the other is working in Abbotsford in a prison joint, and the other one, I am not sure where he is at now. But they all pay them good bank. They got their jobs through school, really. They got them the placement. However, the one that works at Chevron had a friend who got him in there. Tight nit group that pays out the ass. But the other two had to take shitty jobs in Abbotsford at a Turkey slaughter house to get where they are now.

Yo are you general or technical?

I'm in the technical program (t2)

are you doing in the program too slifer?

Yeah, I'm in T1..

4th PE here going for my 3rd soon.

also have my jet propulsion aswell....okay money in gvrd, way WAY better money if you want to relocate...going to the island and find a pulp mill to work in...add a lvl3 OFA to make even more bucks...:thumbsup:

How much are we talking?

easily 60+ for really noob work....checking dials and keeping up with maintenance...if you work overtimes you can bank 80+ for a noob.
go find the right employer...and you can make really decent money.

where bcit or....

where bcit or....

and If I applied now what kind of wait times are there?

DOuble post....

Is there physical labor involved with this career ???

yes....some jobs get really shitty...cleaning out boilers/carbon etc..
you start from the bottom and work your way up...somedays are really shitty.

Some boilers are a 100 ft tall and bigger and you're suspended from a cable winch.

I got my 4th class ticket in 2005. Yes, its true. You have to work your way up. Take anything your offered, you need to get experience (unless you already have some). Their are many different ways you can go.

1. Industrial (Chevron, Central Heat etc.)
2. Building Engineer ( property management company)
3. Refrigeration (ice rinks , swimming pools)
4. Hospitals

Personally ive worked all of these, and being a Building Engineer is best. Pay is average $25-$30 hr . Hours are more regular and less dirty.

is there any big differences between the general and technical course at bcit?
i know with the technical it covers prerequisites for higher classes, but don't you need to gain experience and go to school again anyway to get the higher classes?

At the end of technical you get a 3rd class ticket. In general you get the 4th class ticket.

The technical class will set you up with some experience during the summer. Yes you do need firing time before you can take your last 3rd class exam. They will help you get that.

Personally I would take the technical program. Its much harder but its worth it because you will make more money ($30-$35 hr)

how hard is it to find jobs? I have a couple buddies who work at Central Heat located downtown. They told me it was kinda difficult to find jobs once they were finished. They finished with the 3rd level too

I am not a power engineer but I encounter them all the time in my work.

There is generally demand for power engineers, though you might have to move around to find work.

Work is always availiable, some jobs are worst then others. Good Jobs are hard taken up by experienced guys.

I know power engineers that have went on to be become Department managers, Superviors, Property Managers, Project Managers and so on. So, its not as limited as some people think. If your willing to learn, things will happen for you.

It's a job for a person who likes to be hands on and mechanically inclined. The trade has changed a lot in the past 15 years. Everythings on DDC now, which is barely covered in school. Customer Service is big as well.

PM me if you anyone has more questions.

Does the power engineering technical program at BCIT include boiler time or not?

Both courses include firing time
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Thanks for replying, need2speed.

How hard is it to find a job after graduation with a 4th class certification?

Pretty hard for me i graded when we were in a recession. Most companys want you to have some prior expierence.. Might be different now.
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Do you think it would be easier to find a job if you have a 3rd class ticket but with no experience upon graduation?

Anyone taking the General Program at BCIT?