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- Requires observation and recording skills, to be thorough and pay attention to detail and knowledge of chemistry
- With further study, option to become a process technician
- You'll normally work in a chemical processing plant and wear protective clothing
The chemical plant operator works within a processing facility and is tasked with maintaining a safe working environment for everyone in the facility. They will need to operate machinery and perform routine inspections of equipment to ensure they are in proper working order.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Setting up production machinery
- Mixing and loading raw materials into tanks
- Reading instruments and making adjustments to settings
- Taking samples and recording data to monitor quality
- Packing and storing finished batches
- Stock control
- Cleaning and maintaining machinery
- Reporting problems and following strict health and safety guidelines
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
As a chemical plant operator you could work in an office, in a laboratory or at a manufacturing plant.
You'll need
There are no set requirements to become a Chemical plant operator, you can apply directly for jobs however some employers may ask for GCSEs in Maths, English, IT and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications.
You may be asked to take a maths test along with other assessments, and pass a medical at the interview stage.
Previous experience in the manufacturing and processing industries would be an advantage. A forklift truck certificate may be useful.
You can also get into this job through a science manufacturing process operative intermediate apprenticeship, or you could take a college course, which would give you some of the skills and knowledge needed in the job, for example a level 1 Certificate in Applied Science and a level 2 Diploma in Process Technology.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could move into quality control, lab work, maintenance or shift management.
With further study, you could become a process technician.