Process Assistant

Course Description

ETI0484 – Process Assistant is a 150-contact-hour Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) certificate course offered under Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) within the Engineering Technologies > Industrial Systems Technology taxonomy. The course is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as process assistants, process technicians, or production support workers in manufacturing, chemical processing, utility, and related industrial environments. Students develop foundational knowledge of industrial processes, equipment operation, workplace safety, quality systems, and team-based production support. Instruction integrates classroom theory with hands-on laboratory practice to build job-ready technical skills aligned to Florida workforce needs.

This course is a component of Florida's PSAV certificate pathway and may articulate into Associate in Science (A.S.) degree programs in Industrial Systems Technology or Engineering Technology at participating Florida colleges.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of workplace safety regulations, including OSHA standards, lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, hazard communication (HazCom), and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
• Identify and describe the fundamental components of industrial process systems, including piping, valves, pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, vessels, and instrumentation.
• Read and interpret process diagrams, including Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Perform routine monitoring and data collection tasks on process equipment, including reading gauges, meters, and control panel indicators.
• Apply quality control principles to production processes, including inspection techniques, documentation, and basic statistical process control (SPC) concepts.
• Demonstrate proper startup, shutdown, and normal operating procedures for assigned process units in a safe and efficient manner.
• Identify common process upsets and deviations, describe their causes, and apply corrective actions under supervision.
• Practice teamwork, communication, and documentation skills appropriate to a process operations environment, including shift logs, work orders, and incident reports.
• Recognize and comply with environmental regulations relevant to industrial process operations, including waste handling and emissions awareness.

Optional Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes may be included based on institutional program emphasis and available equipment:

• Demonstrate basic industrial maintenance skills, including preventive maintenance tasks, lubrication, and minor equipment adjustments.
• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement concepts (e.g., 5S, Kaizen) to process work areas.
• Operate and monitor a distributed control system (DCS) or programmable logic controller (PLC) interface at a basic level.
• Demonstrate knowledge of process chemistry fundamentals relevant to the specific industrial sector (e.g., petrochemical, water treatment, food processing).
• Perform basic laboratory sampling and analysis procedures to support process quality assurance.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are standard across Florida institutions offering this or equivalent Process Assistant coursework:

• Industrial Workplace Safety – OSHA regulations, LOTO, HazCom/GHS, PPE selection and use, emergency response, fire prevention, confined space awareness.
• Process Industry Overview – Types of process industries (petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, utilities, water/wastewater); roles and responsibilities of process assistants; plant organization and shift operations.
• Process Equipment Identification and Function – Pumps (centrifugal and positive displacement), compressors, heat exchangers, distillation columns, reactors, tanks, and vessels; valves (gate, globe, ball, butterfly, check); piping systems and fittings.
• Process Instrumentation and Measurement – Temperature, pressure, flow, and level measurement; gauges, transmitters, and sensors; reading and recording instrument data; control loops (basic PID concepts).
• Process Diagrams and Technical Documentation – Reading PFDs and P&IDs; equipment numbering systems; standard symbols and notation; safe work permits; operating procedures and logs.
• Normal Operating Procedures – Equipment startup and shutdown sequences; round sheets and operator logs; monitoring parameters and set points; shift handover communication.
• Process Upsets and Troubleshooting – Recognizing deviations from normal operation; alarm response; reporting abnormal conditions; basic root cause awareness; escalation procedures.
• Quality Assurance in Process Operations – Quality standards and specifications; inspection and sampling techniques; documentation and traceability; introduction to statistical process control (SPC).
• Environmental Compliance – Environmental regulations overview (EPA, state FDEP); spill prevention and response; waste minimization; emissions monitoring basics.
• Workplace Communication and Teamwork – Written and verbal communication in industrial settings; incident and near-miss reporting; work orders; interdepartmental coordination; professional conduct.

Optional Topics

The following topics may be included at institutional discretion or to align with local industry needs:

• Introduction to Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement – 5S workplace organization, Kaizen events, waste identification (TIMWOOD), visual management.
• Basic Preventive Maintenance – Maintenance schedules, lubrication practices, filter replacement, packing and seal inspection, equipment checklists.
• Introduction to Automation and Control Systems – Overview of PLCs and DCS; reading control panel displays; basic operator interface navigation.
• Applied Process Chemistry – Acids, bases, and pH; corrosion fundamentals; chemical compatibility; basic reaction types relevant to specific industry sectors.
• Laboratory Sampling and Analysis – Sample collection protocols; chain of custody; basic bench testing (pH, conductivity, turbidity); recording and interpreting lab results.
• Utility Systems – Steam systems, compressed air, cooling water, nitrogen blanketing, and plant electrical distribution basics.

Resources & Tools

• Textbooks: Process Technology Equipment and Systems (Speegle, Cengage); Process Technology Safety, Health, and Environment (Speegle, Cengage); OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training materials.
• Standards and References: OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry Standards); EPA and Florida DEP environmental compliance guides; ISA (International Society of Automation) instrumentation references; MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) study materials.
• Laboratory Equipment: Process simulation trainers; piping and valve demonstration panels; pressure, temperature, and flow instrumentation kits; PPE stations; safety equipment (eyewash, fire extinguishers).
• Software/Digital Tools: Process simulation software (e.g., AVEVA, Aspen HYSYS introductory modules where available); digital P&ID reading tools; Microsoft Office for documentation tasks.
• Florida Resources: Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE) industry-aligned curriculum materials; CareerSource Florida labor market data; FloridaShines articulation resources.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the ETI0484 Process Assistant course are prepared for entry-level positions in Florida's manufacturing, chemical, utility, and processing industries. Common job titles include:

• Process Assistant / Process Operator Trainee – Entry-level plant operations support under supervision of licensed operators.
• Production Technician – Monitoring and supporting production lines in manufacturing and processing facilities.
• Manufacturing Associate – Supporting operations in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or consumer goods manufacturing.
• Utility Operator Trainee – Assisting in power generation, water treatment, or wastewater facilities.
• Quality Control Technician (entry-level) – Inspection and documentation support in regulated manufacturing environments.

This certificate provides a foundation for advancement into full process operator roles, supervisory positions, or further education. Students may apply completed hours toward articulated credit in an A.S. in Industrial Systems Technology or A.S. in Engineering Technology at participating Florida state colleges.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

• MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT): Core safety, quality, manufacturing processes, and maintenance awareness content in this course aligns directly with the MSSC CPT credential, a nationally recognized manufacturing certification widely sought by Florida employers.
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Card: Students completing the workplace safety module may be eligible to receive the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry outreach card, a valued credential in process and manufacturing industries.
• NCCER Core Curriculum: Students intending to enter craft or construction-related process industries may pursue NCCER Core Curriculum credentials as a complementary stackable certificate.

Program Notes

• This is a PSAV (Postsecondary Adult Vocational) clock-hour course; the 150 contact hours are instructional hours, not semester credit hours.
• Students must meet Florida's basic skills requirements or demonstrate exemption prior to enrollment, per Florida Department of Education PSAV program requirements.
• Industry externships or worksite learning experiences may be incorporated by individual institutions to provide applied workplace exposure.
• Articulation agreements between Florida technical centers and state colleges may allow students to convert clock hours into college credit toward an A.S. degree.