Diploma of Process Plant Technology

The Diploma of Process Plant Technology has been developed as a technical qualification for use in the Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining Training Package (PMA08). This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to perform advanced technical and para-professional operations within the chemical, hydrocarbon and refining industries

Job roles/employment outcomes

The Diploma of Process Plant Technology is intended for technologists or para-professionals who may have worked their way up through the chemical, hydrocarbons or refining certificate qualifications or who have entered the industry at this level, either from another industry or trade occupation.

The technologist will analyse performance and failure in equipment and products and will assist in the development on new and modified products.

The Diploma of Competitive Manufacturing MCM50104 is available for team leaders and managers at this level where the job requires sophisticated manufacturing practice skills rather than technical skills.

This qualification is typically used to develop employees performing a highly technical role that includes an ability to lead others and conduct technical problem solving according to the needs of the work in the chemical, hydrocarbons or refining industries.

People with this qualification may be expected to work in one of the following sectors:

fine chemicals

heavy chemicals

petrochemicals

polymer manufacture

hydrocarbon extraction

hydrocarbon transmission

hydrocarbon processing/refining

minerals processing/refining

metals smelting/processing

other related areas.

Training programs for this qualification are suitable to be undertaken as part of a formal training contract with an employer under an Australian Traineeship or Apprenticeship arrangement.

Pathways into the qualification

This qualification may be accessed by direct entry. The Diploma of Process Plant Technology also offers advanced technical training to people who have completed PMA40110 Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology or other relevant qualifications, or who have significant relevant industry experience without formal qualifications. Credit for this qualification may include units contained within relevant skill sets.

Pathways from the qualification

Further training pathways from this qualification include PMA60110 Advanced Diploma of Process Plant Technology, MSA60108 Advanced Diploma of Manufacturing Technology, MSA61108 Advanced Diploma of Competitive Manufacturing or other relevant qualifications, including appropriate vocational graduate qualifications.

Additional qualification advice

MSA51108 Diploma of Competitive Manufacturing is available for team leaders and managers at this level who already possess technical skills and who require additional manufacturing practice skills above those available in this qualification.

Licensing considerations

There are no specific licences that relate to this qualification. However, in some jurisdictions some units of competency in this qualification may have licensing or regulatory requirements. Local regulations should be checked for details.


Subjects

Packaging Rules

To be awarded the Diploma of Process Plant Technology competency must be achieved in ten (10) units of competency:

four (4) core units of competency

six (6) elective units of competency from Groups A and B, chosen as specified below.

Note

Where prerequisite units apply, these must be considered in the total number of units chosen.

Core units of competency

Code

Title

Prerequisite/s

add topic MSAENV272B

Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

add topic MSAPMOHS200A

Work safely

add topic MSAPMSUP200A

Achieve work outcomes

add topic MSAPMSUP210A

Process and record information

Elective units of competency

Select six (6) units from Groups A, B and C, as specified below:

A minimum of two (2) from Group A

The remainder may be chosen from Groups A, B and C (with a maximum of two (2) from Group C) to bring the total number of electives to six (6).

Note that two (2) elective units can be chosen from other qualifications in this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses as specified in Group C.

Group A - Specialist electives

Code

Title

Prerequisite/s

add topic PMAOPS500A

Optimise production systems

add topic PMAOPS501A

Provide operational expertise to a project team

add topic PMAOPS505A

Control the process in abnormal situations

add topic PMAOPS511B

Determine energy transfer loads

add topic PMAOPS512B

Determine mass transfer loads

add topic PMAOPS520C

Manage utilities

add topic PMAOPS521C

Plan plant shutdown

add topic PMAOPS522A

Coordinate plant shut down

add topic PMAOPS550B

Develop a colour formulation

add topic PMAOPS350B

add topic PMAOPS450B

Up to one (1) specialist elective unit may be chosen from Group A in PMA60108 Advanced Diploma of Process Plant Technology

Group B

Code

Title

Prerequisite/s

add topic MSAPMOHS503A

Maintain the workplace OHS management system

add topic MSAPMOHS510A

Manage risk

add topic MSAPMOHS401A

add topic MSAPMOHS601A

Establish workplace OHS management system

add topic MSAPMOHS503A

add topic PMAOHS502B

Contribute to safety case

add topic PMAOHS511A

Manage emergency incidents

add topic PMAOMIR320B

add topic PMAOMIR512B

Establish incident response preparedness and response systems

add topic PMAOMIR523B

Manage corporate media requirements in a crisis

add topic PMAOMIR575B

Coordinate welfare support activities in response to an incident

add topic PMASUP520B

Review procedures to minimise environmental impact of process

add topic PMASUP540B

Analyse equipment performance

Group C

Code

Title

Prerequisite/s

add topic MSACMC411A

Lead a competitive manufacturing team

add topic MSACMC413A

Lead team culture improvement

add topic MSACMS401A

Ensure process improvements are sustained

add topic MSACMT430A

Improve cost factors in work practices

add topic MSACMT440A

Lead 5S in a manufacturing environment

add topic MSACMT441A

Facilitate continuous improvement in manufacturing

add topic MSACMT450A

Undertake process capability improvements

add topic MSACMT452A

add topic MSACMT451A

Mistake proof a production process

add topic MSACMT452A

Apply statistics to processes in manufacturing

add topic MSACMT460A

Facilitate the use of planning software systems in manufacturing

add topic MSACMT260A

add topic MSACMT481A

Undertake proactive maintenance analyses

add topic MSACMT482A

Assist in implementing a proactive maintenance strategy

add topic MSAENV472B

Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices

add topic MSAPMOHS400A

Contribute to workplace OHS management system

add topic MSAPMOHS300A

add topic MSAPMOHS401A

Assess risk

add topic MSAPMOPS400A

Optimise process/plant area

add topic MSAPMSUP390A

add topic MSAPMOPS401A

Trial new process product

add topic MSAPMOPS404A

Co-ordinate maintenance

add topic MSAPMOPS405A

Identify problems in fluid power system

add topic MSAPMOPS406A

Identify problems in electronic control systems

add topic MSAPMPER400A

Coordinate permit process

add topic MSAPMPER300C

add topic MSAPMSUP400A

Develop and monitor quality systems

add topic MSL954001A

Obtain representative samples in accordance with a sampling plan

add topic PMAOHS420B

Develop first aid procedures and manage resources

add topic PMAOMIR320B

Manage incident response information

add topic PMAOMIR407B

Audit incident preparedness and established response system

add topic PMAOMIR418B

Coordinate incident response

add topic PMAOMIR424B

Develop and maintain community relationships

add topic PMAOMIR430B

Conduct and assess incident exercises

add topic PMAOMIR444B

Develop incident containment tactics

add topic PMAOMIR449B

Monitor legal compliance obligations during incidents

add topic PMAOPS350B

Match and adjust colour

add topic PMAOPS402A

Respond to abnormal process situations

add topic MSAPMSUP390A

add topic PMAOPS405A

Operate complex control systems

add topic PMAOPS410B

Monitor remote production facilities

add topic PMAOPS411B

Manage plant shutdown and restart

add topic PMAOPS450B

Solve colour problems

add topic PMASUP410B

Develop plant documentation

add topic PMASUP420B

Minimise environmental impact of process

add topic PMASUP432B

Coordinate pipeline projects

add topic PMASUP440B

Commission/recommission plant

add topic PMASUP441C

Decommission plant

add topic PMASUP445A

Participate in HAZOP studies

add topic PMAOPS280A

add topic TAEASS401A

Plan assessment activities and processes

add topic TAEASS402A

Assess competence

add topic TAEASS403A

Participate in assessment validation

Up to two (2) relevant units may be chosen from this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses where those units are available at Certificate IV or above.


Pathways...

    Not applicable.


Entry Requirements

Not applicable.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

QUALIFICATION SUMMARY

Employability Skill

Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification include:

Communication

communicate with stakeholders

complete all required reports and records

advise stakeholders of the outcome

interpret workplace procedures and work instructions

communicate information about tasks/processes/events

identify and communicate with all relevant personnel

communicate with all relevant personnel, management and administration

undertake interactive workplace communication

undertake verbal and/or written reports where required

Teamwork

working with technicians as part of a larger project

work autonomously or as part of a team

identify own role and responsibility within a team

undertake appropriate and effective communication with team members

Problem-solving

evaluate and modify as required

apply knowledge of materials, product purpose and processes

check performance of equipment and make approved adjustments

make adjustments to remedy faults and non-conformity

clarifying and addressing potential issues

use material and process knowledge to solve problems

Initiative and enterprise

make adjustments to improve equipment/plant performance

anticipate the impact of the process on the product

determine problems needing action

recommend required action

recognise problems in systems and documentation

critically analyse information

develop continuous improvement strategies

investigate, rectify and report non-conformance

use analytical and decision making skills

recommend corrective and/or optimization actions

monitor and adjust schedules in response to operational variations

Planning and organising

implement within appropriate time constraints and relevant to the job

organise trials

develop and monitor quality systems

monitor and maintain product quality

recognise hazards and follow appropriate hazard control methods

identify requirements for materials, quality, production and equipment checks

identify most efficient and appropriate equipment

analyse equipment performance

Self-management

operate within appropriate time constraints and work standards

select and use appropriate equipment, materials, processes and procedures

identify resource requirements, document and monitor

consistent performance should be demonstrated

Learning

research and evaluate equipment and plant

ask questions to gain information

identify sources of information to expand knowledge and understanding

recognise limits of own professional expertise and consult specialists as necessary

participate in improvement procedures

access manufacturer's manuals/specifications to expand knowledge

Technology

differentiate between products and materials based on their properties and uses

analyse response to changes in process conditions

apply the results of the analyses to typical applications

analyse equipment performance

determine theoretical performance

determine variation between theoretical and actual performance.

application principles to the design and use of equipment.