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Career Opportunities
The process industry plays a
significant role in U.S. businesses and our
economy, serving the pharmaceutical, food and
beverage, textile, chemical and petroleum
processing, power production, plastic, paint,
cosmetic, and other sectors.
What is their work environment?
Process technicians work in
chemical manufacturing or power plants ranging
from small pilot plants to very large
facilities. In many cases, processes are
monitored and controlled from a unit control
room staffed by process technicians.
What skills do companies expect
them to have?
Employers expect process
technicians to possess and practice the
technical skills that are required for optimum
performance. Employers often provide additional
in-plant training to supplement their formal
training. In addition to technical knowledge,
employers look for an individual's adaptability;
personal motivation; customer focus; and
communication, organizational, problem-solving,
and teamwork skills.
What kind of education do they
need?
The best preparation is a
two-year associate of applied science (AAS)
degree program. Since a significant portion of
the workforce in process industry will be
retiring in the next decade, there is a large
and growing demand for process technicians. As
a result, pay scales are very competitive with
those offered for most entry-level jobs for B.S.
degree holders.
What do they do?
Process technicians team with
engineers to operate and maintain the equipment
used to conduct plant processes. Taking care of
the equipment and controlling continuous and
batch processes are their key responsibilities.
Process technicians play a critical role in all
aspects of manufacturing in the process
industry. They are very skilled technicians with
a high level of responsibility. |
Process Technology
The
National Center for the Advancement of Process
Technology (CAPT), funded in part by the National
Science Foundation, has accepted Calhoun Community
College into its Mentoring Program to help establish a
Process Technology Degree Program (AAS). Interest
surfaced when workforce development initiatives brought
local industry and education representatives together to
look at critical skills for the workforce of tomorrow.
NEW COMPETENCIES FOR PROCESS TECHNICIANS
Doer and Thinker Roles:
-
Advanced Process Control Systems and Instrumentation
- Process Troubleshooting
- Incidental Maintenance
Paraprofessional Skills:
- Teamwork
- Effective Communication and Presentation Skills
- Technical Skills
- Computer Skills
Local companies involved in this initiative
include BP, Bunge, Cargill, Solvay, Solutia,
Nova Chemicals, 3M, Hexcel, Toray, Calpine,
TVA, and others. Nationwide, CAPT membership
includes 26 community colleges, 3
universities, 150 industrial companies, 9
states and the U.S.V.I. and various
government and professional organizations.
See the
Program Brochure that contains the curriculum for this program.
For more information about this program, call or write:
Roberta Sommerville
(256) 306-2666
E-mail:
rls@calhoun.edu
Calhoun Community College
Technology Department
P.O. Box 2216
Decatur, AL 35609
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