Production Equipment Operation

Program objectives

The Production Equipment Operation vocational training program prepares students for the trade of production equipment operator.

Operators operate industrial equipment with single or multiple functions and automated to varying degrees. Adjusting equipment, adjusting operating parameters and solving problems during production is an integral part of their work. These activities are generally performed from a workstation, through interfaces (control panels, touch screens, etc.). The operator also performs quality control during the various stages of the industrial process and minor preventive maintenance work on equipment. Eventually, the operator may be called upon to contribute to the improvement of various facets of production.

The operator operates the equipment of a production sequence, a series of equipment or multifunction equipment (performing several production operations). This trade consists mainly of operating production equipment during industrial processing or an industrial manufacturing process. Work is performed individually with a co-worker and occasionally as part of a team of operators. The work requires collaboration with other trades (industrial mechanics, electromechanics, etc.), technical staff (quality control, instrumentation and control, etc.) and other departments of the company.

Targeted professions (find out more about a trade or an occupation on Québec.ca)

Machine operators, mineral and metal processing (9411)
Other metal products machine operators (9418)
Other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors (9537)
Plastic products assemblers, finishers and inspectors (9535)
Plastics processing machine operators (9422)
Process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing (9461)
Rubber processing machine operators and related workers (9423)
Sawmill machine operators (9431)
Woodworking machine operators (9437)

Job titles

plastics assembler
furnace charger – mineral and metal processing
metal cable maker operator
cutter operator – other products manufacturing
machine operator – food and beverage processing
machine operator – plastics processing
woodworking machine operator
mould machine operator – rubber products manufacturing
trim saw operator – sawmill

Admission conditions

To be eligible for admission to this program, candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

Persons holding an Secondary School Diploma (SSD) or its recognized equivalent, for example, an Attestation of Equivalence of Secondary Studies, or a post-secondary diploma such as the Diploma of College Studies or a Bachelor’s degree
OR
Persons who are at least 16 years of age on September 30 of the school year in which their training is to begin and have earned the Secondary III credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in the programs of study established by the Minister, or have been granted recognition of equivalent learning
OR
Persons who are at least 18 years of age upon entry into the program and have the following functional prerequisites: the successful completion of the General Development Test (see the following table), or have been granted recognition for equivalent learning

Specific conditions:
Persons who are at least 16 years of age on September 30 of the school year in which their vocational training is to begin in a specific program of study, who hold a Training Certificate for a Semiskilled Trade (TCST), and who earned the required credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in Secondary Cycle One in general education in the youth sector or in Secondary II in general education in the adult sector
OR
Persons who are at least 15 years of age on September 30 of the current school year, who have attained vocational maturity and who have earned their Secondary II credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics are eligible for admission to a pilot project for concurrent admission. By means of concurrent admission with an integrated schedule, they will continue their vocational training and their general education in the youth sector to complete the Secondary III prerequisites they need to obtain their vocational training diploma. Authorization by the Ministère is required for the concurrent admission of a student in Secondary III

Functional prerequisites

This section identifies the modules or course codes for the actual programs of study in adult general education that are specific prerequisites in language of instruction and mathematics. Functional prerequisites includes the successful completion of specific prerequisites as well as the general development test (TDG). When a DVS doesn't require specific prerequisites in language of instruction or in mathematics, a dash ( - ) is displayed in the appropriate cell. For programs that lead to an AVS, specific prerequisites and the TDG do not apply (N/A).

Program content