West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Process Technology Certificate program is the recipient of nearly $500,000 in state grants.

“This represents a strong commitment that process technicians are vitally important to the Mid-Ohio Valley,” noted Dr. Rhonda Richards, senior vice president for academic affairs, noted.

“Our goal is to provide area residents with the opportunity to become part of a workforce of highly trained technicians who are second to none,” she added.

Beginning this fall, WVU Parkersburg is offering a Certificate in Process Technology which leads to a two-year Associate in Applied Science specialized degree in Engineering Technology which can be applied toward a career pathway Bachelor of Applied Science degree.

“Process technicians monitor and control equipment and processes in such industries as petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, oil and gas production, and power generation,” explained Richard Love, instructional specialist in process technology.

The college received $220,000 from the WV Council for Community and Technical Education to develop the Certificate. WVU Parkersburg also received $250,000 in WV Advance monies for cutting-edge equipment and facilities.

“Regional employers have indicated that there is a growing need for process technicians who can operate valves, pumps, compressors, furnaces and boilers in a plant environment,” Dr. Richards noted.

In the plastics industry alone, there are more than 75 companies in 33 of West Virginia’s 55 counties.

“Preparation of skilled process technicians is instrumental in keeping the region’s industries competitive and strong,” noted Karen Facemyer, president of the Polymer Alliance Zone.

Underscoring the importance, WVU Parkersburg’s Process Technology program is housed in the Polymer Technology Park at 1 Polymer Way.

Students in the Process Technology program will gain hands-on experience with a range of new industry-specific equipment, including process stimulators and trainers that create process variables such as pressure, flow and temperature and provide training in the devices and programs used to control manufacturing processes; motor, generator and power trainers for demonstration and experimentation in variable frequency motor speed control, power distribution and generation; programmable logic controller trainers for input/output processing; a mechanical trainer to provide instruction in machine coupling, laser alignment, gearing and machine installation, temperature control simulators/trainers, electrical trainers, and similar other training devices.

Love noted the college’s Process Technology curriculum is based on curricula and instructional materials developed by the Center for the Advancement of Process Technology of which WVU Parkersburg is a partner institution.

Additional information about the Certificate is available by contacting Love at 304 422-1031.

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