Power your career forward with this nationally recognised qualification which will equip you with a specialised skillset in process plant problem solving, helping you move towards a supervisory role.
At the heart of the production industry, process plants are essential to sectors such as such as oil and gas and manufacturing. The skilled teams that run the plants play a key role in providing many of our daily conveniences, such as petrol to fuel our car.
Be guided by our team of lecturers who are industry experts as you take your current knowledge of process plant operations to the next level, gaining a solid understanding of the entire production process and equipment across the plant. You'll sharpen your technical problem solving and troubleshooting skills and devise solutions based on theoretical knowledge, contributing to overall optimisation and improvement of processes.
This qualification is customisable based on your company requirements, and will prepare you for work as a Plant Technician at a wide-range of processing plants. The course offers a direct pathway to employment opportunities across the resources sector in chemical, oil and gas, hydrocarbons and refining fields. WA is home to major petroleum and minerals projects with more than 900 companies servicing this area, making it an exciting industry with high job prospects for those with the right technical skillset!
The course is ideal for advanced operators or technicians who wish to become a qualified Process Plant Technician or advance to positions such as Team Leader. You'll be job ready for roles such as Advanced Process Plant Technician/Operator or Process Plant Supervisor.
Study in specialised facilities
Learn in SM TAFE’s Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training (ACEPT), located at Munster Campus. The Centre offers a world-class, specialist training facility aligned with training requirements of the oil and gas, processing and resources industries, featuring a real-life operating plant, a control room and an office space for industry partners to allow direct participation with students, as well as technical engineering workshop rooms.
SM TAFE works closely with industry partners such as Shell, Chevron and Woodside to ensure our training meets industry practice. Students can gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies and equipment, and be trained in integral skills such as managing plant shutdowns and taking on a leading role in the establishment of systems to prevent or enable responses to incidents or emergencies. Learn about safety case preparation, plant documentation and environmental impacts of the process.
- fine chemicals
- heavy chemicals
- petrochemicals
- hydrocarbon extraction
- hydrocarbon transmission
- hydrocarbon processing/refining
- minerals processing/refining
- metalliferous processing/refining
- metals smelting/processing
This qualification is directly aligned with priority industry areas where the jobs are today, and into the future. As part of the state government Lower fees, local skills initiative, from 1 January 2020 through to 31 December 2025 you'll only pay half the course fees, capped for each year at $1,200; or $400 (plus resource fee) if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession. Find out more
| School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
|---|---|---|
| C Grades in Year 11 WACE General English, and OLNA; or NAPLAN 9 Band 8 | C Grades in Year 11 English and Maths or equivalent | Certificate II or Certificate III |
Your industry skills and experience could count towards recognition of prior learning (RPL)(opens in a new tab) which is available for this course
This course is available as a traineeship.
Entrance requirements for traineeships
You must be employed in a training contract by an appropriate organisation to study an apprenticeship or traineeship.
In a traineeship you also gain hands-on skills and work experience, and improve your employment prospects, while earning a wage. On successful completion you will gain a nationally recognised qualification which can lead to rewarding career options. The difference between a traineeship and an apprenticeship is that a traineeship can be either a full time or part time employment based training arrangement, usually for a nominal duration of 12 months or more, generally in a non-trade related area.
To find out how to arrange a traineeship and study at South Metropolitan TAFE, please contact the Jobs and Skills Centre closest to you.
There are a number of delivery options to complete this qualification:
- Through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) only; this program is suited to existing workers in the chemical, hydrocarbons or refining sectors, or similar industries. Completion will require third party verification and submission of workplace evidence.
- Company based Traineeship consisting of units of competency chosen by your employer. This program will include a total of eight (8) weeks spent on campus (ACEPT Munster), split into two week block releases, twice a year, over two years. All assignments are to be completed in the workplace. Please see the Apprenticeships/Traineeships section for more information.
Online study
Students completing this qualification via online learning are required to be employed by industry in an operational role prior to enrolling in this course. Students work at their own pace to complete assessments, usually over a one year enrolment.
You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
Work placement
There is no work placement required for this course as students are required to already be employed in industry.
- Process plant supervisor
- Chemical Plant Technician
- Plant Technician (Emergency Response)
- Hydrocarbons Plant Technician
- LPG Plant Technician
- Oil Refinery Plant Technician
Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
Work placement is mandatory for completion of this course. SM TAFE will arrange a suitable work placement within industry for you which will involve your attendance at a workplace.
To access free career planning and job search assistance, visit the Jobs and Skills Centres page.
Select your preferred campus and apply
Click on your preferred campus and study mode below to get started with your application.
All year round
Traineeship
| When | All year round |
| How | Traineeship |
Indicative fees and charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of fee disclaimers.