Trades and Industrial
Process Operation Technician
NOC-9241
Program Description
Do you enjoy working with control systems? Are you interested in pursuing a career in utilities? If so, SIIT’s Process Operation Technician Program may be the first step in a rewarding career.
This two year diploma program completes all components of SIIT’s Power Engineering 4th Class Program at a more comfortable pace. Because this program is math-heavy, it is ideal for those who have been out of school for a number of years. In the first year of this program you will write your “A” exam, while in the second year, you will write your “B” exam. If you feel that you wish to move at a faster pace, the Power Engineering 4th Class Program might be a better fit for you.
SIIT Process Operation Technician students develop the knowledge and skills to operate and maintain- in a safe and efficient manner- equipment found in industrial settings and steam generating facilities. Employment in this field requires a college training program in power engineering and several years of work experience, and a provincial or territorial power engineering certificate according to class. Students in this program will challenge 4th class of Power Engineering through a combination of work experience, course completions, and rigorous inter-provincial exams. This program is delivered at SIIT’s Steam Lab- located at the Northwest Regional College Campus in Meadow Lake, SK.
Graduates of this program can expect to find work as power engineers and power systems operators (NOC 9241). They are employed by power generation plants, electrical power utilities, manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities and government and commercial establishments.
Admission and Apprenticeship Requirements
- Regular Grade 12, Adult 12, or GED
- 1 of Math 20 Level
- Workplace and Apprenticeship Math 20
- Foundations of Mathematics 20
- Pre-Calculus 20
- Note: Some employers may require a grade 12 or equivalent to advance in management roles.
- Good eyesight, hearing, manual dexterity and physical mobility
- Able to work at heights and in confined spaces
- Class 5 driver’s license (preferred)
Mature Admission
- 21 years of age or older
- Any applicant under special admission is subject to a CAAT Assessment
Acceptance Policy
Strong preference is given to applicants who are Status First Nations, but SIIT programs are open to anyone.
English Language Benchmark
SIIT is not currently legislated to accept International Students. You must be a Canadian/ Permanent Resident to apply.
To be admitted into this program you must be able to understand and communicate in English (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment of six – CLB6).
Courses
Year 1
- POAM 100 – Applied Math Contact
- POCB 102 – Computer Basics
- POPH 103 – Applied Mechanics
- POCO 104 – Communications
- POTH 106 – Intro. to Thermodynamics
- POSA 110 – Safety and the Workplace
- POWT 114 – Water Treatment
- POSM 116 – Shop Maintenance
- POBL 118 – Boilers
- PODR 124 – Drafting
- POIE 148 – Industrial Experience I
Year 2
- POCI 108 – Controls, Instrumentation and Process Flow
- POSM 116 – Shop Maintenance
- POEB 120 – Electricity Basics
- POHB 122 – Heating Boiler Systems
- POPL 126 – Plant Operation
- PORA 128 – Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- POLA 130 – Power Boiler Lab
- PONI 134 – Non-industrial Systems
- POPO 138 – Process Industry I
- POPO 140 – Process Industry II
- POPO 142 – Process Lab I
- POPO 146 – Process Lab II
- POIE 149 – Industrial Experience II
Tuition and Fees
Year 1
Tuition | Textbook | Compulsory Fees |
Total* |
---|---|---|---|
$4,430 | $1,020 | $1,580 | $7,030 |
Please note: All tuition and fees are subject to change. *Compulsory fees may include: student fees, field trip and/or practicum fees, laboratory fees, apprenticeship fees, PPE & other equipment, exam fees, online fees, consumables, safety and first aid training, and tools. |
Year 2
Tuition | Textbook | Compulsory Fees |
Total* |
---|---|---|---|
$4,430 | $1,020 | $780 | $6,230 |
Please note: All tuition and fees are subject to change. *Compulsory fees may include: student fees, field trip and/or practicum fees, laboratory fees, apprenticeship fees, PPE & other equipment, exam fees, online fees, consumables, safety and first aid training, and tools. |
Funding
Depending on your status, different forms of financial assistance are available to you. Please click here to explore options for funding. If you require assistance finding funding, please contact supportservices@siit.ca.
What to Expect
Day to Day
Delivery Method
- 80% hours in-class theory and 10% hours hands on practical training in the lab. Class is held Monday to Friday, 6 hours per day.
- 10% of this program is spent in a work placement.
- A few hours per week of independent (homework) learning.
- Personal Protective Equipment needed for shop training and employment is provided by SIIT.
- Industry Exams and Certificates are paid by SIIT and include:
- WHMIS
- TSASK Exams
Work Integrated Learning
- Work placements are available for Process Operation Technician students. Students must adhere to attendance and academic performance standards to participate.
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Each program has specific attendance requirements that must be adhered to in order to graduate.
For Process Operation Technician students, an attendance rate of 90% or better is required to graduate.
If you have been approved for funding, you must maintain the attendance required by your sponsoring agency to remain eligible to receive payment.
Graduation Requirements and Credential
Students must earn a 65% in each course to complete the Process Operation Technician Program. Graduates of each level will receive a diploma, an SIIT Process Operations Technician Diploma.
Career Path
Career Opportunities & Salaries
Graduates of this program can expect to find work as power engineers and power systems operators (NOC 9241).
Power engineers operate and maintain reactors, turbines, boilers, generators, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment to generate electrical power and to provide heat, light, refrigeration and other utility services for commercial, institutional and industrial plants and facilities. Power systems operators monitor and operate switchboards and related equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution of electrical power in transmission networks. They are employed by power generation plants, electrical power utilities, manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities and government and commercial establishments.
Power engineers require a college training program in power engineering and several years of work experience, and a provincial or territorial power engineering certificate according to class. In Saskatchewan, these exams are written with the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan. Please click here for more information.
In Saskatchewan, the average annual salary for power engineers and power systems operators is $ 125,600 (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/hire-train-and-manage-employees/labour-market-information).
For assistance finding employment, please contact your local SIIT Career Centre.
Licensing Requirements
Following graduation from SIIT programs, additional licensing requirements for Power Engineers (click here) in Saskatchewan are as follows:
- Power Engineering 4th Class – Will have successfully completed the SIIT 4th Class program and both “A” and “B” TSASK Exams.
- Power Engineering 3rd Class – Will have successfully completed the SIIT 3rd Class program (includes 6 months operating credit) plus 6 months additional operating experience and all four 3rd Class TSASK Exams
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Administration Office
Suite 118-335 Packham Avenue
Asimakaniseekan Askiy Reserve
Saskatoon, SK S7N 4S1
306-244-4444