Process Operator or Process Technician

Plant operators are responsible for monitoring all stages of the production process. Their usual tasks include those of the operation and control of the devices, equipment or facilities for the various industrial processes and product manufacturing phases, in accordance with the specifications established in the relevant technical documents and respecting the safety, product quality and process efficiency standards, also being responsible for the basic maintenance of the work area equipment. They are integrated into a work team that depends on an intermediate command (manager or plant technician) and interact with professionals of equipment maintenance and quality control and with the workers who supply raw materials.

• Prepare and condition plant machines, equipment and facilities.
  Prepare process machines that need to be repaired or reconditioned, and prepare them to be connected or integrated into the process.
  Prepare a section, process area or plant for reparation or reconditioning, and get it ready for operation in line with the established procedures.
  Provide the thermal conditions, obtain steam and purified water and provide oxygen or other gases in the processes in the conditions required.
• Perform industrial process operations.
  Keep the machines and area for which they are responsible clean and in suitable condition.
  Perform basic maintenance operations on machines and fill in incident forms.
  Distribute materials in the process in the conditions required, through solid and/or liquid transportation.
  Undertake or take part in the start-up and stoppage of processes, whether continuous or non-continuous, synchronising operations where necessary.
  Pack industrial products using the packaging material described and accepted by the quality assurance programme, in conjunction with the plant labourers.
• Perform local control in the plant.
  Oversee the supply and replenishment of auxiliary products and materials.
  Use local control instruments to achieve and maintain the operational system.
  Measure the process variables with the tools and frequency established.
  Regulate and control the established manufacturing processes, whether using control centres or manually and following the production plan, making any necessary adjustments.
  Take samples of the product during the process, in order to support the quality control operations, to obtain products of the quality required.
  Carry out periodic quality control tests on the product and process.
  Record the measurement and control results in line with established procedures, timeframes and sequences.
• In chemical and similar companies, it prepares and tests raw materials.
  Receive and store chemical raw materials and packaging material in the specified conditions and with the security required.
  Take samples for quality assurance, in the conditions specified and using suitable instruments.
  Perform simple tests within the established time frame and using the specified methods and safety conditions.
  Record the results and notify any incidents that occur.
• Comply with good manufacturing practices and safety and environmental standards.
  Comply with internal safety and environmental standards when operating machines in all facilities and areas.
  Prevent personal risks through the use of protective equipment.
  React quickly and appropriately to emergencies.
  Effectively coordinate with shift handover staff and with other departments.
  Actively participate in exercises, drills and emergency scenarios in line with the established procedures and plans. It is responsible for keeping these files of workers updated and expanding them.

Regulated training and graduates

• Minimum compulsory education
• A-levels
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Instal·lació i manteniment: Manteniment i muntatge mecànic d'equip industrial (Nivell 2)
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Instal·lació i manteniment: Planificació, gestió i realització del manteniment i supervisió de maquinària, equip industrial i línies automatitzades de producció (Nivell 3)
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Professional d'Instal·lació i Manteniment: Neteja en espais oberts i instal·lacions industrials (Nivell 1)

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Analytical thought: Level 2

Initiative: Level 2

Concern for order and quality: Level 2

Team work and cooperation: Level 1

Flexibility and change management: Level 1

Scientific research

Individuals who have an affinity for the field of scientific research focus their interest on activities that study different types of organisms and substances in order to obtain valuable products for human beings. A key part of performing this task is the planning and verification of scientific hypotheses through the use of different research designs and techniques. The objective of these searches is the development of new medicines and medical techniques, technological innovation based on the manipulation of cells, molecules and biological agents, as well as the study of cultures in order to improve the characteristics and properties of plants and food.

Logistics

The planning, organisation, control and carrying out of logistics and administrative tasks are the focus of people who work in the field of logistics. Activities in the field of logistics include the organisation and planning of supply, storage, production and distribution systems, taking inventories, controlling stock and estimating production, as well as the organisation and/or carrying out of the administrative tasks necessary for the implementation of these activities. Knowledge of organisation, control and management techniques is essential for carrying out these activities.

Mechanical handling

People related to the field of mechanical handling are interested in the assembly, maintenance, repair and use of machines, tools and installations. Some good examples of professional activities in the field of mechanical handling are adjusting and configuring machines, reviewing technical equipment to detect incidents in their operation, handling machinery in production processes and driving specialised vehicles.

Industrial Labourer

Food handler on fishing vessels

Farmhand

Clothing production operator

Facilities Maintenance Technician

• Work hours

  Split-shift, intensive or, most commonly, shift-based. Plants normally function in continuous operation, 24 hours a day throughout the year, which means that the operators at these plants normally work full-time, in rotating eight-hour shifts (morning, afternoon and night) which change monthly or fortnightly. As such, an important entry requirement for this occupation is flexibility in terms of time, including being available to work at weekends and on public holidays, known as the "fourth shift", and to adapt to variations due to production circumstances. At pilot plants, split shifts are most common, depending on the trials being carried out and the study of their conclusions.

• Salary

  The average salary for this occupation depends on the location, the type of industry and its international presence. The salary ranges from 17.322 to 24.982 euros per annum gross. Median: 20.801 euros annum gross. Intensive shifts usually include the incentive of a cantine which is subsidised by the company.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.

• Professional category

  Non-specialist staff