In most places, to become a 3rd class power engineer you must complete either a series of certifications, a complete program of study, or an approved apprenticeship. Third class power engineers are expected to have all the knowledge and experience of fifth and fourth class power systems engineers, which means at least a couple years of formal training, as well as hands-on work experience in a power systems engineering environment. In addition, to become a 3rd class power engineer, you'll need to pass an examination that includes comprehensive testing on regional or country-specific acts and codes.
To get to the point where you're ready to consider testing to become a 3rd class power engineer, you can follow several different paths. You can complete an intensive technical program of study that includes everything you might learn for power systems engineering in the class four and five stages, which will most likely take at least one year, after which you'll need to study for the class three examination. You can accumulate experience working as a power engineer, most likely obtaining one or more certifications along the way until you are ready to prepare for specific class three advancement; or, after several years of working, you can complete a government-approved apprenticeship agreed upon with your employer that includes supervised work experience combined with study.
Power systems engineering at the class three level is fairly advanced, so you'll need to know a lot about every aspect of thermally driven utility systems. This generally includes extensive knowledge of thermodynamics, applied science and mechanics, fuels and combustion, pressure and control systems, electro-technology, prime movers, cogeneration, and much more. To become a 3rd class power engineer, you'll also be tested on specialized industrial equipment and many government codes and regulations related to each aspect of the industry you work in. In some cases, these codes and regulations will the main component of new knowledge you're expected to learn.
Usually those who become a 3rd class power engineer have already been working in the field for at least several years. They have been helping to operate power plant facilities or have been working in other large commercial, residential, and industrial buildings that have their own power utility systems. There can be a lot of differences between what one third class power engineer needs to know versus another, with specific work environment playing a large role in what you'll need to learn.
To become a 3rd class power engineer, you'll need extensive safety expertise and familiarity with code. At this level, you might be moving into a more advanced role that focuses on maintenance, procedural, and administrative issues within the work environment. You will be expected to be an authority on most aspects of operations and will usually play a management role.
