HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A typical path may start with high school courses in math, physics, and computer-related subjects. Some students then take postsecondary training in power engineering, electrical technology, or a related field, depending on the employer and province. Others may enter through employer-specific training and gain experience in electrical control centres, stations, or utilities. Early work often focuses on learning procedures, watching control systems, reading meters and alarms, keeping records, and assisting with routine testing and maintenance. Requirements can vary by employer and role, and some positions may favour or require additional experience.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Monitor and operate computerized switchboards and auxiliary equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution and to regulate the flow of electrical power in the transmission network
- Co-ordinate, schedule and direct generating station and substation power loads and line voltages to meet distribution demands during daily operations, system outages, repairs and importing or exporting of power
- Monitor and visually inspect station instruments, meters and alarms to ensure transmission voltages and line loadings are within prescribed limits and to detect equipment failure, line disturbances and outages
- Issue work and test permits to electrical and mechanical maintenance personnel, and assist maintenance and technical personnel to locate and isolate system problems and assist during routine system testing
- Complete and maintain station records, logs and reports.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Communication SkillsComputerized equipmentMonitoringTaking Directions