In the United States there are thousands of chemical manufacturing facilities. These plants are operated by Chemical Plant Operators. These operators are highly paid and enjoy a stable work environment. There is an ongoing need for entry-level personnel. Generally, chemical plant operators enter the workforce in entry-level positions and work their way up - sometimes to senior management positions. Currently a large portion of the workforce is retiring - creating a critical shortage of technical workers for many years to come. There are very few institutions that provide training for entry-level operators.
This is a unique user-friendly course designed for people who have minimal knowledge of industry, math, physics or chemistry. The necessary science concepts are built into the course modules.
Chemical plant operators have the responsibility to make sure unit/process systems function properly. Their job includes the following:
- Consider personnel safety as the primary objective and ensure production processes are operating safely
- Continually monitor instrumentation and the operation of equipment
- Make adjustments to keep system process variables such as flows, temperatures and pressures within acceptable ranges
- Detect potential and actual problems and take corrective action to prevent the interruption of system operations
- Analyze operational trends and take corrective actions
- Use standard operating procedures to start/stop production equipment
- Maintain communication with other operators, maintenance and the management
Benefits of becoming a chemical plant operator:
- High salary. Depending upon industry and location, generally entry-level chemical plant operators make $13.00 to $20.00 per hour. After a few years of experience generally the pay range is $18.00 to $30.00/hr.
- Stable employment. Chemical plant operators are rarely laid off.
- Employment portability. Nearly all regions of the United States have some chemical manufacturing facilities.
- Career enhancement potential. Many entry-level chemical workers eventually make their way into supervisory and management positions.
- Better benefits. Generally chemical plants have above-average benefits for workers.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Operate a chemical plant with safety as the prime consideration
- Monitor instrumentation and the operation of equipment
- Make adjustments to keep system process variables such as flows, temperatures and pressures within acceptable ranges
- Detect potential and actual problems and take corrective action to prevent the interruption of system operations
- Analyze operational trends and take corrective actions
- Use standard operating procedures to start/stop production equipment
- Maintain communication with other operators, maintenance and the management
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