Process Plant Operations/Technology

Do you want to become an engineering specialist in the well-paid field of automation, which is rapidly on the rise across the industries?

As leaders in the sector of implementing automated technology, SM TAFE was proud to launch this course as the very first of its kind in Australia, to ensure students are job ready for employment in remote operations centres and skilled in the latest advancements. The qualification was launched in partnership with Rio Tinto and the Western Australian government and is designed to give students the skills to work at some of Australia’s top tier automation facilities, such as Rio Tinto’s Remote Operations Centre in Perth. 

Industry 4.0 is known as the fourth industrial revolution and the next stage in manufacturing, whilst autonomous technology allows tasks to be performed without the control of a human. Automating processes is just one of the Industry 4.0 trends boosting the efficiency of organisations and you can be part of the curve as you ensure your path to a job of the future. 

Be guided and supported by our expert team of lecturers as you gain skills in working with our simulated remote operations centre – you’ll learn how to operate the equipment and software that control automation processes.

SM TAFE has key industry connections which give students strong employability opportunities and your in-demand skillset can lead to jobs in resources, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, automobiles and transportation. 
 

Become part of the wave of future technologies in automation

Automation is just one of the Industry 4.0 trends in accelerating the efficiency of organisations and utilising new and emerging technologies to automate production processes using machinery and state-of-the-art technologies. Be ahead of the curve and ensure your path to a job of the future.

A career in automation offers the opportunity to work in a field that is challenging, interesting, in-demand and well-paid.   

This course allows students to develop a good understanding of the emerging technologies in the resources sector. Learn how automation is innovating mobile and fixed plant operations, get an introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and process control operations. These skills are in high demand in the sector, so graduates will be well placed to pursue a traineeship or apprenticeship following this course. 

The course also provides an overview of the historical development of automation, an in-depth coverage of current automation and insight into some future extensions.

Study at Munster Campus three days a week with specialist simulation facilities available to allow students to develop real-world experience.

Are you working in the engineering industry and looking to advance your career further?

The Certificate IV in Engineering (Instrumentation) has been specifically designed for any qualified tradesperson such as unrestricted electricians, electrical fitters, engineers in the resource industry, refrigeration technicians, or for apprentices in their third or fourth year of study. Instrumentation is a collective term for measuring instruments that are used for indicating, measuring and recording physical quantities such as flow, temperature, level distance, angle, or pressure.

Learn to install, commission, calibrate and maintain modern instrumentation and control systems, as well as loop turning of multi controller or multi element systems. Our skilled staff and industry-standard facilities prepare you with job-ready skills. 

SM TAFE has developed this course in collaboration with the oil, gas and resources industry to meet demand for skilled workers in industrial electrotechnology. Our training and assessment strategies ensure the industry has the best talent available. We are also the only provider that runs this course in Australia.

Students will be taught the analytical, technical and practical skills required to become a competent electrical technician ready for the complex processes and systems encountered in industrial environments. They will learn how to select, set-up, install, test, commission, fault-find, repair and maintain electrical systems and equipment in oil/gas installations, process plants and mine sites. On completion, graduates will be eligible to apply for an unrestricted electrical licence from Energy Safety/Department of Commerce, enabling them to work as an electrician.

Kick start your career in process plant operations

Our Certificate II in Process Plant Operations offers students exposure to the fundamentals of process plant operations. You will learn to use and operate production equipment to directly produce particular materials and substances. 

This course forms part of the Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Oil Refining Training Package (PMA16) and offers a number of specialist unit streams. It is typically used to prepare new employees or develop existing workers performing an operational role in the following chemical, hydrocarbons or refining sectors.

Specialist facilities at Munster Campus 

Students study this course at our state-of-the-art engineering building at Munster campus, featuring a real-life operating plant, an attached control room and technical engineering workshop rooms. 

Our Certificate III in Process Plant Operations is a technical qualification for advanced operators and operations technicians who use production equipment to directly produce product. At this level, operators/ technicians will undertake more advanced operations, typically of integrated plant units in accordance with the operating procedures, and would apply their knowledge to anticipate problems. This qualification is customisable based on your company requirements and is typically used to develop employees performing a process plant operator’s role that includes the running of specific areas of a process plant. 

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.
• Traineeship consisting of specific units of competency chosen by your employer. This program will include two weekly, twice a year on-campus (ACEPT Munster) block release with all assignments completed in the workplace. To study as a trainee, you must be employed in a training contract by an appropriate organisation. 

Have a career dream to work on key oil and gas projects and reach your true potential in a supervisory role? Become a highly skilled operator in process plant technology with this advanced qualification.

SM TAFE is endorsed by Engineers Australia (EA) with accreditation for this course in line with consistently meeting national and international benchmarks for the program, including delivery and innovation in program design.

Be guided by our expert lecturers who are industry professionals, as you gain a specialised skillset to work on high level projects in process plant technology and manufacturing, such as plant modifications and risk management. You'll be equipped with knowledge to determine energy and mass transfer loads, perform plan start up and shutdown, analyse equipment performance and optimise productivity, whilst you further develop your leadership and problem solving skills.

If you're currently an industry professional, this course will assist you to advance your career standing, with the program being specifically designed to bolster the skills of recruits, existing workers and supervisors. SM TAFE also offers university pathway qualifications, providing students the opportunity to gain entry into second year Engineering programs at leading universities.

This course provides a direct pathway to employment opportunities across the exciting resources sector in chemical, oil and gas, hydrocarbons and refining fields. You'll be job ready for roles such as Person in Charge (PIC) and Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) in oil and gas or positions such as Superintendent and Project Coordinator in resources.

Study in specialist 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 an industry standard setting.

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.

This two day intensive face to face safety supervisors training is designed for supervisors and managers in the mining and construction industry who require an understanding of their obligations as part of the WHS Act and regulations in Western Australia.

In this skill set, training is made relevant to operational requirements on-site meaning safety supervisors are able to apply skills and knowledge learnt, as soon as they return to site.

This course has a been designed for supervisors and team leaders who work in the Western Australian mining industry.

The units delivered will work towards or will achieve the expected WorkSafe requirements for statutory supervisors under Schedule 26 of the WHS (Mines) Regulations (WA) 2022.