REGINA — Starting this fall, Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre (Sask DLC) will partner with SaskPower to provide high school students and adults online fourth- and fifth-class power engineering courses.
Within Sask DLC's fifth-class program, students take two online courses within the same school year. These courses provide an introduction to power engineering including boiler operations and maintenance. Each course includes a 50-hour work study allowing students to obtain the steam time requirements for their certification. Fifth-class courses are ideal for students wishing to be introduced to the career. Students who complete their fifth-class are also eligible to upgrade to their fourth class certification by taking an additional two upgrade courses.
Through the fourth-class program, students take four online classes, each including 50 hours of online theory and 50 hours of work-study time, providing practical experience and preparing them for industry exams. This program is ideal for students interested in pursuing power engineering as a career after high school and upon completion, students are eligible to be employed as a fourth-class engineer.
These courses have been offered in Saskatchewan high schools since 2014, and have been administered by Sask DLC since its inception in 2023. The programs are accredited by the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK).
A new memorandum of understanding between Sask DLC and SaskPower will see the Crown power utility co-ordinate and promote student STEAM lab time and scholarship opportunities for continued education and advancement in the field. SaskPower also provides students with hands-on experience at its portable steam lab.
"Industry support for work experience programs like power engineering are key to providing students with meaningful experience and insight to possible career paths, allowing them to make informed decisions about their future," Sask DLC CEO Darren Gasper said.
To date, 327 Saskatchewan students have completed the fourth-class, and 141 have completed the fifth-class power engineering program.
For more information on the program or to register, visit: .
