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LENGTH OF STUDY:
24 Weeks

ACCREDITATION:
Certificate

CAMPUS:
Silver King Campus, Nelson

One of the in-demand jobs now and into the future is
plant operator.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This 24-week program (18 weeks on-campus +

6 week practicum) prepares you for entry level
positions as a plant operator. You will gain knowledge
and develop the skills required to operate, monitor
and troubleshoot control equipment and processing
units found in most industrial settings. You'll learn
about industrial plant functionality and gain a

critical understanding of plant systems, process
fundamentals, and plant operations.

TRAINING FACILITY PROVIDES

UNIQUE ADVANTAGE

You will engage in a variety of classroom, shop and
real-world activities. Learn the theoretical principles
of operations and processes in the classroom, and
apply your knowledge in our shop where you'll gain
valuable experience by practicing various operational
procedures.

During the 18 weeks of instructional time, you

will travel to 10 plant operations of various sizes
throughout the West Kootenay such as Nelson Hydro,
Teck, Zellstoff Celgar, Columbia Brewery, Selkirk
College, Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (Trail)
and the Nelson & District Community Complex.

The goal is by the end of the tours, you will have a
detailed record of the plants you have visited and a
broad awareness of the operator duties and tasks at
the various plants in our area.

GREAT PARTNERSHIPS WITH
REGIONAL INDUSTRY

The Plant Operator program usually has two intakes
each year. The provincial government has bolstered
funding in areas of trades that are anticipated to be
in-demand over the coming years. Plant operators
are considered one of those areas.

Upon completion of the on-campus component of the
program, you will embark on a practicum hosted by
regional employers where you will master operations
in real industrial environments.

172 Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2019-20

Plant Operator

selkirk.ca/plant-operator

Course Name Credit
PO 101 Introduction to Process Plant Systems On Campus 8
PO 102 Process Fundamentals On Campus 4
PO 103 Introduction to Process Plant Operations On Campus 2
PO 104 Plant Tours On Campus 3
PO 105 Work Practicum On Campus 6

Total 23

WHAT IS A PLANT OPERATOR?

Plant operators are responsible for overseeing the
production process of a plant facility. The goal of

a process operator is to monitor equipment and
improve the quality, efficiency and safety of the plant.

Plant operators supervise staff members and
coordinate maintenance efforts to ensure control
instruments are working properly. They also perform
other administrative tasks such as recording test
results and other data about the plant’s operation.
In addition, process operators are responsible for
reporting problems with the production process

or equipment to shift managers and maintenance
engineers. In some cases, plant operators may need
to carry out minor maintenance work and transport
various items for shipment.

A person does not need any particular qualifications
to become a plant operator. However, they do need to
have an understanding of math and be able to pass
an aptitude test, physical and medical exam at the
interview stage. A person can also become a plant
operator by completing an apprenticeship or taking
a college course related to the skills and knowledge
needed in the job. Plant operators usually work
full-time, sometimes shift-work, often with benefits,
for companies involved in the petroleum, agricultural
and pharmaceutical industry.

Careers

Graduates of the Plant Operator Program at Selkirk
College earn a Certificate of Completion and typically
find employment as plant operators in manufacturing
plants, production plants, processing plants, gas
plants, oil fields, smelters, mines, mills, refineries,
arenas, recreational complexes, or other industrial
facilities.

PLANT OPERATOR CAREERS
— Chemical plant machine operator

— Mineral and metal processing operator
— Cell operator

— Lime kiln operator

— Pulp and paper mill machine operator
— Assistant digester operator

— Sawmill machine operator

— Planer operator

— Resaw operator

— Process control and machine operator

— Food, beverage and associated
products processing

— Brewhouse operator

— Control room operator

— Winery-press operator

— Water and waste treatment plant operator

— Sewage plant operator

— Power engineers and power systems operators
— Auxiliary plant operator

— Building systems technician

— Control room operator —
electrical power systems

selkirk.ca/programs