Co-op program details

Bachelor of Engineering - Power Systems Engineering

Program details

Credential: 4-Year Bachelor of Engineering

This four-year program provides a study of electrical power systems engineering, trans-disciplinary engineering of power systems, renewable energy generation, smart-grid, protection and control, automation and energy conservation technologies.

The curriculum provides a solid foundation in mathematics, science and engineering theory, building practical and engineering design skills.

Projects form the main and dominant component of the curriculum. The material studied is determined by the demands of a series of projects each with a different focus. As students progress, they develop and build on the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to succeed and advance in the power systems and industrial automation sectors.

Graduates are qualified to register as Engineers-in-Training (EIT) as part of the process to full licensure as practicing Professional Engineers (P.Eng.).

Student availability & wage data

Conestoga College facilitates recruitment on an ongoing basis - there are no hard deadlines. Typical time frames for work terms are listed below.

Postings are accepted beginning four months before the start of a term until all students have secured employment provided the minimum 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work is met.

Work/Study Sequence

Year Fall (Sept - Dec) Winter (Jan - Apr) Spring (May - Aug)
Year 1 Classes Classes
Year 2 Classes Classes Work Term 1: $17-25
Year 3 Classes Classes Work Term 2: $20-34
Year 4 Work Term 3: $20-34 Classes Classes

Conestoga College collects data on hourly wages of co-operative education students and offers suggested ranges as a service to employers for the purpose of establishing fair and competitive compensation.

Our experience has been that employers increase wages as skills increase, particularly when employing students for more advanced work terms. The Co-operative Education Office can provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate wage rates.

Work term capabilities

Work term 1

  • Work effectively as part of a team
  • Familiar with electrical and electronic component symbols
  • Prepare 2D engineering drawings using CAD software
  • Troubleshoot electrical and electronic equipment using a multimeter and oscilloscope
  • Identify and solve basic engineering problems related to electric power systems and industrial automation by applying advanced principles
  • Install, test and troubleshoot electrical and electronic equipment and components
  • Program PLCs for basic automation
  • Schedule and manage short term projects

Work terms 2 and 3

The following skills are in addition to those listed in work term 1:

  • Work independently and in diverse teams to analyze and solve problems
  • Develop specifications based on determined requirements for electric power systems
  • Evaluate, verify and validate electric power engineering systems against specifications and requirements
  • Design power systems and industrial automation solutions
  • Understand and communicate complex engineering and non-technical concepts using a variety of communication techniques including technical reports, design documentation and instructions
  • Design, analyze, research and extend resources to solve complex problems for electrical utilities and other electrical engineering applications
  • Perform research within an R&D capacity

Sample job titles

  • Electrical engineer
  • Power systems engineer
  • Substation maintenance engineer
  • Electrical maintenance engineer
  • Power quality engineer
  • Systems integrator - Automation - PLC’s
  • Substation design engineer
  • Protection and control engineer
  • Electrical engineer - Transformer testing
  • Electrical engineer - Transformer design
  • Electrical engineer - Energy systems design
  • Technical support engineer - Power systems
  • Technical support engineer - Industrial automation

Program courses

To see a typical course list for this program, see the current program course information.

Post a co-op job now

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Contact information

Do you need help developing a recruitment plan or job posting, accessing wage information, or connecting with a talented co-op student? Contact:

Hemant Chauhan
Employer Relations Consultant
hchauhan@conestogac.on.ca