What is Process Technology?
Building materials, jet fuel, metals, and plastics - all are products of process technology. Process technology involves every aspect of chemical processing: extracting and refining chemicals such as oil and natural gas, refining them, and carefully monitoring the process that makes it happen. Special instrumentation, pumps, turbines, and compressors are designed to monitor and separate the chemicals that make up countless products we use everyday.
Process technology spans many industries. Power plants depend on it to maximize output and minimize emissions. Waste- and water-treatment plants use it to monitor industrial waste, environmental impact, and human health and safety. In the pharmaceutical industry, it's even used to develop the coating on aspirin.
The Need
Local industry is predicting a large turnover of Process Technicians in the near future. Over the last 20 years, the Process Technician's job has become very demanding. The equipment is complex and is now mostly controlled by computers. The Process Technician must be able to work in teams, react to situations rapidly, and handle stressful situations. There are currently about 2000 people enrolled in Process Technician training programs on the Gulf Coast, with a demand in the tens of thousands of jobs in the next 5 years.
The Opportunity
Current starting pay rates for a Process Technician with an associate degree is about $55,000 - $65,000 per year, or about $25/hour. An operator can make as much as $85,000 - $90,000 per year with overtime and holiday pay. The College of the Mainland closely partners with the local industry to insure the right competencies are being taught in the classroom. College of the Mainland students have been extremely successful in their new jobs. Several of the students have set new records on entrance exams given by the local industry. Data from the State of Texas shows that the COM PTEC program has the highest placement rate after graduation of all PTEC programs in Texas.
COM is a partner with the Center for the Advancement of Process Technology (CAPT).
Process Technology
COM PTEC Student Videos
Jason Canales
Yanique Messitho
Zachary Bundy
Contacts
Kimberly Davis
Administrative Assistant
Room TVB-1118
409-938-1211, Ext. 536
Mike Cobb
Associate Professor
Room TVB-1583D
409-938-1211, Ext. 494
Jerry Duncan
Associate Professor
Room TVB-1583A
409-938-1211, Ext. 607
Steve Wethington
Assistant Professor
Room TVB-1583B
409-938-1211, Ext. 196
Larry Purswell
Laboratory Technician
Room TVB-1583C
409-938-1211, Ext. 556