When a raw material enters a processing facility and undergoes continuous changes from heat, pressure, flow, distillation, or by adding chemicals before it exits the plant, we say is has been processed. This includes the preparation and preservation of food, the manufacture of medicines and cosmetics, and the production of fuels. The people that.
Make sure the production process is continuous
Control and manipulate the equipment and machines
Make sure the equipment is working the way it should, and
Repair and maintain the components in good working condition
. are called process technicians.
Depending upon different industry conventions, there are many job titles associated with these jobs. However, the most common entry-level job descriptions are:
Process Operator or Plant Operator
Process Operators start, monitor, control, and stop equipment in continuous processing operations- in other words, the process operator runs the machinery that changes the raw materials into useable products.
Instrumentation Technician and/or Electronics Technician
Instrument technicians are responsible for the computerized components that receive and send signals and messages to other equipment; they locate problems, and know how to make the various components and control equipment work the best.
Electronics technicians maintain, repair, calibrate, tune, and adjust all electronic equipment used in manufacturing and processing industries.
Electro Mechanical Technician
Electro Mechanical Technicians (or Industrial Maintenance Technicians) repair and install mechanical or electrical devices or equipment when necessary; they keep the devices working, prevent problems, and attend to emergency breakdowns so the production process remains continuous.
Demand for all these technical professionals is worldwide and growing, and wages are typically very good ($17-$25/hr. to start). There are numerous career opportunities in a variety of industries that produce the following products:
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Oil and Gas Processing
Food and Beverages
Power Generation including Alternative Energy
Paper Products
Pharmaceuticals
Chemicals
Clean Water
And others!
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These entry level jobs can lead to supervisory positions such as Shift Supervisor, Production Planner, Process Unit Manager, Maintenance Supervisor and other management roles.
To learn more about Process Manufacturing, and why you may find a career in this field exciting and practical, check out the online InDemand publications on working with Energy and in Advanced Manufacturing.
The Center supports the network of technical and community colleges in Washington State in providing quality process and control technology training for their students and the best possible workforce for the processing industries in their area. |
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