Professionals who posses a wide range of knowledge across mechanical, electrical, electronic and automation engineering fields can find jobs as energy systems engineering technicians. In the utility sector innovative energy projects are using small-scale sources such as solar, wind, hydro, fuel cells, gas turbines and biomass to feed electricity, heat and air conditioning to our homes and businesses. Meanwhile, the construction industry has adopted a host of new green building initiatives that are quickly increasing awareness and the use of sustainable, integrated architecture and engineering practices for new buildings. Energy Systems Engineering Technicians are responsible for taking on the challenge of integrating and using these modern sustainable energy technologies in a manner consistent with our urban environments.
Through the Energy Systems Engineering program at Centennial College, students learn fundamental skills to understand energy and its uses in modern society. Once students complete the Energy Systems Engineering Technician program, they may enter year three of the Energy Systems Engineering Technology program to complete a further credential.
The two-year program is challenging, but offers a unique blend of technical, managerial and entrepreneurial skills that are highly sought after in modern energy and sustainable building companies. Students learn all about: implementing energy solutions for commercial and residential buildings using knowledge of energy systems, energy efficiency and renewable/distributed energy systems; operating power plants of various sizes; designing and maintaining heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration units; and working with architectural companies to integrate energy technologies into the latest green buildings.
The Energy Systems Engineering Technician program places a strong focus on practical labs with the opportunity for students to work on state-of-the-art energy systems. Applied research and development projects promote students’ innovation skills while technician curriculum is complemented by project management skills. Courses covered in the Energy Systems Technician undertaking, include: Physics, Electric Circuits, Applied Statistics, Chemistry Application and Climate, Boilers and Auxiliaries, Mechanics and Materials, Wind and Solar Energy and many others.
In order to apply, student must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They must also have the credits for compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent.
Successful energy systems technicians enter a field in which a widening skilled-labour shortage and quickly advancing technology in the energy sector are creating huge demand for technicians who possess a breadth of knowledge. In their varied positions, energy systems technicians work with industries that include moulding and casting, integrated circuit packaging, heat exchanger/ boiler design and manufacture and petrochemical processing.
