The Plant Operator Technology Certificate is designed to prepare students with comprehensive and manipulative skills and technical knowledge to become proficient in plant operations and work in industrial operations/settings, such as geothermal plants, mineral extraction plants and industrial operations.
Estimated 10-15 completers per year.
The Plant Operator Technology Certificate program intends to develop a prepared workforce for new and existing industries in the Imperial Valley, such as, a significant expansion of geothermal operations, lithium extraction, and battery storage and manufacturing. The overall goals for the program are to provide the professional training and development of in‐demand skills for employers to prepare well qualified technicians/Plant Operators. The County of Imperial prepared a LMI report showing that demand for Plant Operators is expected to increase by 60%. Additionally, two lithium extraction companies submitted letters of endorsement and projected workforce needs.
1. At the completion of the program, students will be able to understand and manage the operations and processes of an industrial plant.
| Course | Title | Units | Year/Semester (Y1 or S1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLDC 010 | HAZMAT Cal OSHA | 1 | Y1 Fall |
| CIS 120 | Microsoft Word I | 1 | Y1 Spring |
| CIS 124 | EXCEL I | 1 | Y1 Spring |
| MATH 105 | Integrated Math for Technical Fields | 3 | Y1 Fall |
| PLNT 080 | Plant Operator I | 3 | Y1 Fall |
| PLNT 085 | Plant Operator II | 3 | Y1 Spring |
| PLNT 090 | Plant Operator III | 3 | Y1 Spring |
| WE 220 | Internship | 1 | Y1 Spring |
Dr. Al Taccone · 02/10/23
MiraCosta College supports. Thank you, Efrain, for the additional information.
Cassandra Storey · 02/09/23
Based on the industry support and local need SDCCE supports the program.
Susan Wyche · 02/09/23
This is great and is anticipating future need pro-actively. Palomar supports!
Jennifer Lewis · 02/07/23
Southwestern supports.
Dr. Javier Ayala · 02/07/23
GC supports. Only question, is this enough education.
George Dowden · 02/07/23
Based on Efrain's comment, Cuyamaca supports.
Efrain Silva · 02/07/23
IVC has been collaborating with the three primary lithium extraction companies in the development of the curriculum as well as the workforce projections. Mineral extraction is a new industry with extraction facilities currently being built, and limited existing LMI gaps; however, the three primary companies expect to hire 68 Plant Operators within the first two years and 10-12 per year beginning in year three. Additionally, Ormat just announced a major expansion of their geothermal operations and will also hire Plant Operators. IVC Supports the program.
Monica Romero · 02/04/23
Mesa Supports. Letters of endorsement from local employers indicate their growing need for this occupation to meet the new lithium industry needs, as well as others.
Dr. Al Taccone · 02/03/23
This is an interesting dilemma. I shall wait to see if Efrain responds before I weigh in again.
John Edwards · 01/31/23
Imperial Valley College submitted the appropriate LMI from the COE. Because there was no data for Imperial County for the selected occupations, the area was expanded to San Diego-Imperial. We suggest using employer letters to address the lack of data for Imperial County. For this reason, the COE defers to the region because 1) there is a potential supply gap; and 2) entry-level earnings are above the living wage. The colleges should also note that employers typically require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum educational requirement for these occupations.
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