Apprenticeship training course

Process automation engineer (degree) (level 7)

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Information about Process automation engineer (degree) (level 7)

Designing, developing, deploying and supporting the types of instrumentation, control and automation systems as used in the chemicals and process industry sector.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • knows the principles of design and operation of a variety of unit operations and the principal features of construction of related items of process plant.
  • understands a range of relevant strategies and techniques for the control of both batch and continuous plant, and the knowhow for translating them into designs.
  • knows about modern instrumentation for measurement of common process variables, actuation (valves & motors), signal transmission and protocols, intrinsic safety and segregation.
  • knows about modern control technology including hardware and infrastructure (power & air supply, trays & trunking, cabling and marshalling), and interfacing to third party equipment.
  • knows about with the topology (hardware, its organisation and layout), system software, communications and networks, and operator interface of at least one ICSS or equivalent.
  • is familiar with the essential functionality of the real-time languages, structures and tools provided for the development of application software for at least one ICCS or equivalent.
  • understands the organisation of alarm systems, the need for alarm management and the quantitative analysis and design of Safety Integrity Level (SIL) rated protection systems.
  • knows about the use of control systems as a platform for higher level tasks, such as optimisation and statistical process control, and of the database techniques (eg, querying and reporting) used for the integration of control and enterprise management systems.
  • is familiar with key international standards, codes of practice and industry guides, etc, and mandatory requirements, especially regarding protection systems, safety and human factors.
  • understands the life cycle of control systems in terms of feasibility, specification, design, development, acceptance, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance and support.
  • appreciates the contractual nature of relationships between suppliers, contractors & end users.
  • knows about general management practice and, in particular, project management and software engineering methods.
  • appreciates the contribution of automation to improved safety, sustainability and reduced environmental impact of operations.

  Skills

  • able to analyse complex automation problems of a process nature, reducing them to their underlying issues, and can synthesise solutions subject to constraints.
  • able to develop, from first principles, qualitative and/or quantitative models and simulations of systems in terms of the functionality of their components and signals and can interpret their input-output relationships.
  • able to develop dynamic models based upon commercially available simulation packages.
  • able to adapt and apply control theory, related techniques, technology and knowhow to the solution of process automation problems, open ended or otherwise.
  • able to interpret requirements for automation and can articulate them in terms of user and functional design requirements, testing and acceptance specifications, and operating procedures.
  • able to translate those requirements into designs, especially of application software, and can realise them using the standard functionality of a proprietary ICSS or otherwise
  • can manage automation projects in terms of the planning and deployment of human and physical resources for activities such as design, development, testing, documentation, etc.
  • able to handle the commercial and/or financial aspects of an automation project in terms of costs, resources, overheads, cash flow, margins, profit, etc.
  • can make judgements about and take responsibility for technical issues, such as operability, productivity, quality, reliability, safety, security, sustainability and viability, in an industrial context.

  Behaviours

  • works independently, demonstrating self-discipline, self-motivation, self-sufficiency and self-development, requiring little supervision, if any
  • works effectively and with enthusiasm as a member of one or more teams, interacting with and supporting other team members, whilst being committed to delivering on agreed targets for deliverables.
  • communicates effectively, especially in the written form, with other persons, technical or otherwise, using terminology correctly according to context.
  • accepts corporate beliefs and objectives and complies with company rules and guidelines, subject to the broader ethical responsibilities of a professional working in the industry.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Engineering and manufacturing
• Qualification level: 7; Equal to master’s degree
• Course duration: 60 months
• Maximum funding: £27,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

View more information about Process automation engineer (degree) (level 7) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.