[crazie_gsr]

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!

[Preemo]

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.

[Slifer]

Yo are you general or technical?

[crazie_gsr]

I'm in the technical program (t2)

are you doing in the program too slifer?

[Slifer]

Yeah, I'm in T1..

[Supafly]

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:

[raygunpk]

How much are we talking?

[Supafly]

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.

[brentwoodbc]

where bcit or....

[brentwoodbc]

where bcit or....

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

[brentwoodbc]

DOuble post....

[teddyah]

Is there physical labor involved with this career ???

[Supafly]

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.

[C5_Ryder]

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.

[jack_dangerous]

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?

[C5_Ryder]

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)

[MASTER_J]

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

[Blinky]

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.

[C5_Ryder]

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.

[mky777]

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

[need2speed]

Both courses include firing time
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[mky777]

Thanks for replying, need2speed.

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

[need2speed]

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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[mky777]

Do you think it would be easier to find a job if you have a 3rd class ticket but with no experience upon graduation?

[JSilver]

Anyone taking the General Program at BCIT?

[C5_Ryder]

We are looking for guys at the City of Vancouver

Job Posting Title
Maintenance Technician I
Company
Our employees help Vancouver consistently rank as one of the world's most livable cities. We are one of BC's Top 55
Employers, and Canada's Top 100 Employers.
Vancouver is striving to become the greenest city in the world by 2020. You too can make a difference by applying for
the following opportunity.
STOC-0248 Correction
Close Date
Open until filled
Reporting to the Chief Engineer, this position is responsible for maintaining, operating and troubleshooting physical
plant equipment used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning of our buildings.
The successful candidate inspects components, checks gauges and monitors fluid levels; maintains, repairs and/or
replaces filters, pulleys and belts; replaces gaskets, pumps and bearings; refits and packs valves; oils, greases and
cleans components and adds chemicals and conducts operational tests to ensure optimal equipment operation. Makes
set point adjustments to physical plant equipment and related systems, and other duties as required by the Chief
Engineer.
Requirements
Fourth Class Power Engineering Certificate with sound related experience in HVAC equipment maintenance including
testing, operation and servicing of electronic, pneumatic and computerized direct digital control systems as well as
proven ability to work independently and as part of a team. A valid BC Driver's license is required. Good working
knowledge of a Windows environment is an asset. Good working knowledge of DDC and good knowledge of WCB
indoor air quality regulations is an asset.
An Enhanced Reliability Check security clearance is a requirement of this position.
The City of Vancouver is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Employment Type
Auxiliary/Casual
Number of Positions
4
Affiliation
CUPE Local 15 Bargaining Unit (VMECW)
Salary Information
Pay Grade 19: $25.96 per hour plus a percentage in lieu of benefits (16%)

[DavidYeh]

Hey Ryder, you seem like you've been in the industry for a while now. I've got a couple questions.

Im currently working in a recreational facility as a building operations worker. To move up I'll need at least my class 4 power engineering. I currently work full time, and my company would be willing to pay for my education, but they dont really want me to take time off work.

With that being said, I would need to take distance education. How hard is the material to learn by distance education? Im not that strong in math but everything else I'm confident I can pick up releativly easily.

For your 4th class exam, is there any practicum time you are required to complete? to my understanding its just for the 3rd class?

Assuming that I finish my 4th class in a years time, I would have had 3 years in total of related work experience, what should I be expecting in terms of average wages?

Thanks in advance!

[nubb]

You need 6 months firing time with distance ed may i ask where you work at??
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[DavidYeh]

If i take the 1 year general program, it includes firing time? sorry for the noob questions. I checked the BCIT courses and it does not specifically mention a boiler lab or fire time or steam time. But it does mention that it will get me ready for the 4th class power engineer exam which I assume already includes the practicum part.

nubb, check pm.

[nubb]

Yes, general course will include the firing time.
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[C5_Ryder]

Hey Ryder, you seem like you've been in the industry for a while now. I've got a couple questions.

Im currently working in a recreational facility as a building operations worker. To move up I'll need at least my class 4 power engineering. I currently work full time, and my company would be willing to pay for my education, but they dont really want me to take time off work.

With that being said, I would need to take distance education. How hard is the material to learn by distance education? Im not that strong in math but everything else I'm confident I can pick up releativly easily.

For your 4th class exam, is there any practicum time you are required to complete? to my understanding its just for the 3rd class?

Assuming that I finish my 4th class in a years time, I would have had 3 years in total of related work experience, what should I be expecting in terms of average wages?

Thanks in advance!

You need firing time for fourth class, your work should be able to give you the firing time since you been working there for three years. However if its not a fourth class plant then you would be out of luck and need to find firing time.

Math was hard for the older guys because its been so long since theyve taking it. Most guys take the math refresher course before they enroll. If youve taken grade 12 math , this should not be a problem. The mechanical things are straight foward and yes you do need to be mechanically incline to understand it.

Wages are from 18-35 bucks an hour. Like i said before, 18 is for people right out of school, if you have 3 years and have DDC experience, your looking at 25-30. Wages are rising every year so this could change.

[DavidYeh]

Thanks, that gives me a good idea of what I need to be prepared for when I take it next year. I think I will end up going for the 10 month course since I rather be prepared. Math also isnt my strongest area so I'll need extra help and I dont think distance will cut it. Grade 11 principals was all I have and that was a long time ago. Im pretty mechanically inclined so I think I'll be okay for the rest of it.

[SpuGen]

If I take the General Program, then switch to Technical, would it be a big waste of time?

How long was the Waitlist for the Technical Course?

Course load for school? Hard/Easy Homework?

And for those of you with jobs already, how hard is the job when you first start out? Do you work alone, or in a team?

[Blinky]

Nobody's answered you Spugen, so I'll answer with the only thing I know about your Qs:

There is demand for power engineers, especially in Alberta. Are you willing to move? There are more modest-paying jobs in the city as well, though I would assume that there is more competition there.

As for working alone vs in a team, it depends on the work environment. There are some cases where you might be operating a small or medium office building with little interface with coworkers (but perhaps dealing with building tenants). On the other hand, you might be firing a recovery boiler at a pulp mill with a half-dozen other people at your side.