Certificate II in Process Plant Operations

PMA20116

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

The PMA20116 Certificate II in Process Plant Operations is a technical qualification for operators in the hydrocarbons, petrochemical, chemical, metal/ore processing and related process manufacturing industry sectors. It is intended for competent operators who operate production equipment or undertake similar roles directly producing products. The operator would apply a breadth and depth of knowledge to a defined range of situations and would be expected to apply this knowledge to solve a defined range of problems by applying known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.

Other non-technical Certificate II qualifications are available for production support employees at this level, such as MSM20116 Certificate II in Process Manufacturing.

  • Financial help

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    This traineeship is available:

    • Chemical Plant Operator
  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Apply workplace context to own job Core
Communicate in the workplace Core
Follow emergency response procedures Core
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices Core
Work safely Core
Achieve work outcomes Elective
Apply 5S procedures Elective
Apply cost factors to work practices Elective
Apply Good Manufacturing Practice requirements Elective
Apply offshore facility abandonment and sea survival procedures and practices Elective
Apply quality standards Elective
Bake carbon anodes Elective
Break and make flanged joints using hand tools Elective
Cast ingots Elective
Clean and strip anode rods Elective
Clean workplace or equipment Elective
Collect routine site samples Elective
Conduct hazard analysis Elective
Conduct screening operations Elective
Contribute to the application of a proactive maintenance strategy Elective
Control evacuation to muster point Elective
Control gas odourisation Elective
Control minor incidents Elective
Control the risks of falls Elective
Deliver molten metal Elective
Disconnect and reconnect non-flared tube fitting joints Elective
Enter confined space Elective
Follow WHS procedures Elective
Follow work procedures to maintain Good Manufacturing Practice requirements Elective
Form carbon anodes Elective
Gas test atmospheres Elective
Handle goods Elective
Identify and minimise environmental hazards Elective
Interpret process plant schematics Elective
Interpret product costs in terms of customer requirements Elective
Interpret technical drawing Elective
Maintain pipeline easements Elective
Manage conflict at work Elective
Monitor and control work permits Elective
Monitor and maintain pipeline coatings Elective
Monitor and operate flare systems Elective
Monitor and operate low pressure compressors Elective
Monitor chemical reactions in the process Elective
Monitor continuous process plant Elective
Monitor pipeline civil works Elective
Monitor process capability Elective
Monitor wells and gathering systems Elective
Monitor, operate and maintain pipeline stations and equipment Elective
Move materials Elective
Observe permit work Elective
Operate a forklift Elective
Operate and monitor gas production plant Elective
Operate and monitor prime movers Elective
Operate and monitor pumping systems and equipment Elective
Operate and monitor valve systems Elective
Operate and troubleshoot gas turbine system Elective
Operate as a team member to conduct manufacturing, engineering or related activities Elective
Operate breathing apparatus Elective
Operate bulk solids loading equipment Elective
Operate cell tending equipment Elective
Operate chemical separation equipment Elective
Operate crushing equipment Elective
Operate digestion equipment Elective
Operate equipment Elective
Operate equipment to blend/mix materials Elective
Operate filtration equipment Elective
Operate fluid flow equipment Elective
Operate fluid mixing equipment Elective
Operate grinding equipment Elective
Operate heat exchangers Elective
Operate Joule-Thomson effect device Elective
Operate local control system Elective
Operate melting furnaces Elective
Operate powered separation equipment Elective
Operate reduction cells Elective
Operate separation equipment Elective
Operate solids handling equipment Elective
Operate solvent extraction equipment Elective
Operate vehicles in the field Elective
Operate vertical direct casting process Elective
Operate wet milling equipment Elective
Pack products or materials Elective
Package product/material Elective
Participate in continuous improvement Elective
Perform routine manual metal arc welding Elective
Perform tasks to support production Elective
Prepare and isolate plant Elective
Prepare equipment for emergency response Elective
Process and record information Elective
Provide First Aid Elective
Provide fluids for utilities and support Elective
Read dials and indicators Elective
Sample and test materials and product Elective
Select and prepare materials Elective
Select and use utilities and services Elective
Spray carbon anodes Elective
Start up reduction cells Elective
Store fluids in bulk Elective
Supply product from reduction cells Elective
Sustain process improvements Elective
Transfer loads Elective
Undertake crane, dogging and load transfer operations Elective
Undertake fire control and emergency rescue Elective
Undertake first response to fire incidents Elective
Undertake first response to non-fire incidents Elective
Undertake helicopter safety and escape Elective
Undertake manual handling Elective
Undertake minor maintenance Elective
Undertake root cause analysis Elective
Use equipment Elective
Use organisation computers or data systems Elective
Use planning software systems in operations Elective
Work in a team Elective
Work in accordance with an issued permit Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate II in Process Plant Operations sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Chemical Plant Operator

    ANZSCO 399211

    Chemical Plant Operators control the operation of chemical production plant.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Gas and Petroleum Operator

    ANZSCO 399212

    Gas or Petroleum Operators operate equipment to pump oil and gas from wellheads, and refine and process petroleum products.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Plastic Cablemaking Machine Operator

    ANZSCO 711511

    Plastic Cablemaking Machine Operators operate extruding machines to encase wire, cord, cable and optic fibre in plastic or rubber.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operator

    ANZSCO 711512

    Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operators operate mixing and grinding machines to prepare plastic powders and liquid blends, and recycle waste plastic materials from factory operations.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Plastics Fabricator and Welder

    ANZSCO 711513

    Plastics Fabricator or Welders operate machines to measure, cut, shape, fit and assemble plastics materials to produce plastic products.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Plastics Production Machine Operator (General)

    ANZSCO 711514

    Plastics Production Machine Operators (General) operate extruding, injection moulding and blow moulding machines to produce finished plastic products.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker

    ANZSCO 711515

    Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Workers operate machines to apply gelcoat, colouring and fibre reinforced plastic to moulds, in order to produce fibreglass and laminated products.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Rubber Production Machine Operator

    ANZSCO 711516

    Rubber Production Machine Operators operate machines to manufacture rubber products, such as tyres.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Hide and Skin Processing Machine Operator

    ANZSCO 711712

    Hide and Skin Processing Machine Operators operate machines to convert raw hides and skins into finished leather for use in clothing, footwear and upholstery.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Other Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operator

    ANZSCO 711799

    Other Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operators includes jobs like Feltmaker, Net Maker, Rope Making Machine Operator, and Tufting Machine Operator.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Chemical Production Machine Operator

    ANZSCO 711911

    Chemical Production Machine Operators operate machines to produce chemical goods such as soaps, detergents, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and explosives.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

Training providers delivering Certificate II in Process Plant Operations

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 3 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.