Certificate III in Process Plant Operations - PMA30120

---

This qualification reflects the role of advanced operators and operations technicians who use production equipment to directly produce products. 

At this level, operators/technicians undertake advanced operations, typically of integrated plant units in accordance with the operating procedures and apply their knowledge to anticipate problems. They are expected to solve a range of foreseen and unforeseen problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems that do not have a known solution or a solution recorded in the procedures. 

 To be awarded the PMA30120 Certificate III in Process Plant Operations, competency must be achieved in twenty-one (21) units of competency - 5 core units and 16 elective units.    (as per Training.gov.au) 

Blended Course pathway 

This process offers companies the chance to have workers attend face-to-face training and/or assessment onsite using course material provided by PKD Training and workplace documentation and job specific tasks. Knowledge material can be completed with face-to-face training or self-paced completion; practical assessments require a structured approach to evidence gathering.  

PKD Training blends industry-based knowledge with site specific procedures and processes, so students develop a broad base of topic specific knowledge. Practical knowledge links the theory to workplace applications, so students learn industry best practice and workplace safety for job specific tasks.  

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway 

This process will formally recognise the existing skills, knowledge, and experience of workers in the resource sector. This process enables participants to achieve competency without unnecessary retraining by demonstrating their capability against industry standards. 

• Assessment of existing skills and knowledge against relevant units of competency 
• Recognition of experience gained through workplace roles across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations 
• Consideration of prior qualifications, accredited training, and informal workplace learning 
• Evidence gathered through site documentation, supervisor reports, and practical demonstrations 
• Validation that skills and knowledge are current and aligned with industry best practice 
• Granting full or partial credit where competency requirements are met, supporting accelerated qualification completion 

Gaps in knowledge can be fixed through:  

• Blended Training - theory assessments with Face-to-Face practical assessment 

                     - Self-paced theory assessments relating to Industry Standards 

                     -  Demonstrated practical assessment at worksite verified by Assessor site visit or Supervisor                  

                         sign-off  

A skill set in PMA30120 is a defined group of units focused on specific skills and knowledge required for targeted job roles or tasks within the resource sector. It provides a flexible way to build or refresh skills specific to your worksite.  

PKD Training has selected units that are widely relevant across the resource sector, making it easier for more workers to connect new knowledge and skills with existing workplace experiences. We can tailor skill sets by changing units to suit your site, if our trainers are qualified and have current industry experience. This keeps training relevant, high quality, and aligned with how work is actually done in the field.

A copy of our current Skill Set is listed below. All Units of Competence can be viewed in detail at training.gov.au. 

•  Practical assessment requires participants to be working on-site within the Resource Sector industry.  
• Applicants engaging in a Training and Assessment pathway will participate in a 2-year program designed to prepare students to be experienced Operators/ Technicians within their job role.  
• Applicants engaging in the RPL process will have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working in advanced operations, typically of integrated plant units in accordance with the operating procedures and apply their knowledge to anticipate problems.  
• Applicants are expected to have access to workplace documentation required to complete workplace tasks reflected int the Skill Set. This will require access to SCADA and Control Room for some components of the units of competency.

 Statement of Attainment in PMA30120 Certificate III in Process Plant Operations 

Training and assessment are delivered in partnership with Tectra Australia, RTO 40889 

This course is accredited by Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)