Process operator

As a process operator you maintain and control the systems that manufacture everything from food and medicine to chemistry and energy. You ensure production runs stably safely and in the right quality. It is a trade for those who like technology overview and having responsibility for large machinery and systems.

A typical day involves monitoring systems from a control room and screens adjusting temperature, pressure and flow and keeping an eye on that production meets requirements. You take samples troubleshoot when something deviates and work with colleagues to keep the system running around the clock.

• 01You learn to operate and monitor automated production systems.
• 02You learn to control processes such as temperature, pressure, and flow.
• 03You learn to take samples and ensure the right quality.
• 04You learn to troubleshoot and respond quickly when something is wrong.
• 05You learn to work according to strict safety and hygiene requirements.

You start with a basic course at a vocational school and then find an apprenticeship at a company with process production. You get apprentice wages throughout the course and alternate between school and practice so you learn both the theory behind the processes and take responsibility in real production.

As a fully trained process operator you can work in pharmaceutical food chemistry and energy industries. You can specialise in certain types of systems become a team leader or further education towards for example process technologist and get responsibility for even larger parts of production.

“When the system runs perfectly it is because someone knows exactly what they are doing – it is you.”