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Power engineers

OaSIS code 92100.01

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 buildings and other work sites. Apprentices are also included in this occupation.

Overview

Also known as

  • Power plant operator
  • Stationary engineer

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Power engineers
  • Operate automated or computerized control systems, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment such as reactors, boilers, turbines, generators, pumps, compressors, pollution control devices and other equipment to generate electrical power and to provide light, heat, ventilation and refrigeration for buildings, industrial plants and other work sites
  • Start up and shut down power plant equipment, control switching operations, regulate water levels and communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate transmission loads, frequency and line voltages
  • Monitor and inspect plant equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, meters and other instruments to measure temperature, pressure and fuel flow to detect leaks or other equipment malfunctions and to ensure plant equipment is operating at maximum efficiency
  • Analyze and record instrument readings and equipment malfunctions
  • Troubleshoot and perform corrective action and minor repairs to prevent equipment or system failure
  • Respond to emergency situations if required
  • Clean and lubricate generators, turbines, pumps and compressors and perform other routine equipment maintenance duties using appropriate lubricants and hand, power and precision tools
  • Maintain a daily log of operation, maintenance and safety activities, and write reports on plant operation and non-compliance
  • May assist in the development of operation, maintenance and safety procedures.

Additional information

  • There is little mobility between nuclear power generation station operators and other classic or alternative power generation station operators.
  • Progression from lower to higher classes for power or stationary engineers is dependent on further training and experience.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Nuclear power station equipment mechanic (in 72400.01 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics)
  • Civil engineers (21300.00)
  • Mechanical engineers (21301.00)
  • Electrical and electronics engineers (21310.00)
  • Computer and telecommunications hardware engineers (21311.01)
  • Network system and data communication engineers (21311.02)
  • Chemical engineers (21320.00)
  • Industrial and manufacturing engineers (21321.00)
  • Metallurgical and materials engineers (21322.00)
  • Aerospace engineers (21390.00)
  • Agricultural and bio-resource engineers (21399.01)
  • Biomedical engineers (21399.02)
  • Engineering physicists and engineering scientists (21399.03)
  • Marine and naval engineers (21399.04)
  • Textile engineers (21399.05)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

92 – Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and utilities operators and controllers

Sub-major group

921 – Utilities equipment operators and controllers

Minor group

9210 – Utilities equipment operators and controllers

Unit group

92100 – Power engineers and power systems operators

Occupational profile

92100.01 – Power engineers

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
5 - Highest Level
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
5 - Highest Level
Clerical Activities
4 - High Level
Electronic Maintenance
4 - High Level
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance
4 - High Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
3 - About half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
1 - Very little time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Electric power utilities
  • Government and commercial establishments
  • Hospitals
  • Manufacturing plants
  • Power generation plants
  • Universities

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Selective Attention
5 - Highest Level
Auditory Attention
4 - High Level
Deductive Reasoning
4 - High Level
Multitasking
4 - High Level
Pattern Identification
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
5 - Highest Level
Troubleshooting
5 - Highest Level
Operation and Control
4 - High Level
Coordinating
3 - Moderate Level
Critical Thinking
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
5 - Extremely important
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Analytical Thinking
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Innovativeness
4 - Highly important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RIC

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Power engineers require a provincial or territorial power engineering certificate according to class. There are five classes in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia while there are four classes in Newfoundland/Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut territories.
  • Trade certification is available, but voluntary for power systems operators in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Power engineers require a college training program in power engineering and several years of work experience. An exam is mandatory to move from one class to the other.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Electrical and Electronics
3 - Advanced Level
Technical Design
3 - Advanced Level
Clerical
2 - Intermediate Level
Languages
2 - Intermediate Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
2 - Intermediate Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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