Power Plant Operations

If you want a career with high pay and a stable work environment, this online Power Plant Operations course will get you on the right track. Now is an excellent time to start an exciting career as a power plant operator—there are thousands of power plants in the United States alone, and a large portion of the workforce is retiring, creating open power plant operator jobs for many years to come. Power plant operator training will prepare you to fill the ongoing need for entry-level positions in...

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12 Months / 400 Course Hrs
Open Enrollment
Offered in partnership with your preferred school

Butler Community College

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Power Plant Operations

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Course code: GES709

What you will learn

  • Power Plant Operations
  • Basic safety protocols and best practices
  • The mathematics and communication skills you will need to be successful in your new position
  • How to monitor instrumentation and operate equipment
  • How to prevent potential problems and troubleshoot actual problems
  • Standard operating procedures for starting and stopping production equipment

How you will benefit

  • You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course that indicates your comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered
  • You will be prepared for an entry-level job as a power plant operator
  • Enrolled students are invited to attend our exclusive annual virtual National Apprenticeship Week events, featuring live webinars, workshops, and employer interactions

How the course is taught

  • Self-paced, online course
  • 12 Months to complete
  • Open enrollment, begin anytime
  • 400 course hours
  1. Basic Safety
  2. Basic Hazard Communication
  3. Basic Lockout-Tagout
  4. Math 1000: Basic Math 1
  5. Math 2000: Basic Math 2
  6. Math 2500: Basic Math 3
  7. Applied Physics 1
  8. Applied Physics 2
  9. Applied Physics 3
  10. Heat Exchangers
  11. Lubrication and Bearings
  12. Electrical Safety
  13. Electricity for Operators and Technicians
  14. Industrial Valves
  15. Compressed Air
  16. How to Read Process Drawings
  17. Basic Process Instrumentation and Control
  18. Pump Fundamentals
  19. Centrifugal Pumps: Operation
  20. Power 1000: Steam Generation
  21. Power 2100: Basic Boiler Systems
  22. Power 3000: Fuels and Combustion
  23. Power 3100: Boiler and Auxiliaries 1
  24. Power 3200: Boiler and Auxiliaries 2
  25. Power 3300: Boiler and Auxiliaries 3
  26. Power 3500: Cogeneration and HRSG

Max Ansari

Max Ansari is currently the Partner/Training Program Development Manager at Houston Industrial Training Institute (HITI), which focuses on development of web-based training programs for complex industrial processes such as power plants, oil refineries, and chemical manufacturing plants. His past experience includes 15 years of operational experience in a large refinery/power plant complex including three years as Manager of Operations. He holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, and is a certified Professional Engineer and First Class Steam Engineer.

Prerequisites:

To enroll in this course, you should have basic keyboarding and computer skills, and be comfortable navigating the Internet and using email. You should have a high school diploma or the equivalent. This course is for you if you seek entry-level employment in a power plant.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course must be taken on a PC. Macs are not compatible.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge is also compatible.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. You're encouraged to print the on-screen course material for your reference.

No.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

For those wondering how to become a power plant operator, a great first step is to sign up for a class to learn the basics. Completing a course shows motivation and desire to be the best, and gives you an advantage over other job seekers. Once you obtain an entry-level job, you'll get to show off your knowledge and skills, and work your way up to even better salary and benefits.

Generally, power plant operators enter the workforce in entry-level positions and work their way up, sometimes to senior management positions. Depending on industry and location, entry-level power plant operator salaries can range from $13.00 to $20.00 per hour. After a few years of experience, generally the pay range is $18.00 to $30.00 per hour. Benefits are usually above-average for workers, and operators are rarely laid off.