The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

The paper mill operations certificate course from The eLearning Center offers the convenience and affordability of online learning.

In the United States there are hundreds of paper manufacturing facilities. These plants are operated by Paper Mill Operators. These operators are highly paid and enjoy a stable work environment. There is an ongoing need for entry-level personnel. Generally, paper mill operators enter the workforce in entry-level positions and work their way up - sometimes to senior management positions. Currently a large portion of the workforce is retiring - creating a critical shortage of technical workers for many years to come.

There are very few institutions that provide paper mill operations certificate courses entry-level operators. This is a unique user-friendly course designed for people who have minimal knowledge of industry, math, physics or chemistry. The necessary science concepts are built into the course modules.

Paper mill operators have the responsibility to make sure unit/process systems function properly. Their job includes the following:

• Consider personnel safety as the primary objective and ensure production processes are operating safely
• Continually monitor instrumentation and the operation of equipment
• Make adjustments to keep system process variables such as flows, temperatures and pressures within acceptable ranges
• Detect potential and actual problems and take corrective action to prevent the interruption of system operations
• Analyze operational trends and take corrective actions
• Use standard operating procedures to start/stop production equipment
• Maintain communication with other operators, maintenance and the management

Benefits of becoming a paper mill operator:

• High salary. Depending upon industry and location, generally entry-level paper mill operators make $13.00 to $20.00 per hour. After a few years of experience generally the pay range is $18.00 to $30.00/hr.
• Stable employment. Paper mill operators are rarely laid off.
• Employment portability. Paper mills are found in many regions of the United States.
• Career enhancement potential. Many entry-level paper mill workers eventually make their way into supervisory and management positions.
• Better benefits. Generally paper mills have above-average benefits for workers

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the paper mill operations certificate program, students should be able to:

• Operate a paper mill with safety as the prime consideration
• Monitor instrumentation and the operation of equipment
• Make adjustments to keep system process variables such as flows, temperatures and pressures within acceptable ranges
• Detect potential and actual problems and take corrective action to prevent the interruption of system operations
• Analyze operational trends and take corrective actions
• Use standard operating procedures to start/stop production equipment
• Maintain communication with other operators, maintenance and the management

This is a comprehensive course and consists of a number of learning modules. Each of the modules addresses a specific scope and consists of an on-line test. The pass mark for the tests is 70% - however the students are allowed to take the tests a number of times. This course consists of the following modules:

• Basic Hazard Communication
• Basic Safety
• Basic Lockout-Tagout
• Math 1000: Basic Math 1
• Math 2000: Basic Math 2
• Math2500: Basic Math 3
• Applied Physics 1
• Applied Physics 2
• Applied Physics 3
• Heat Exchangers
• Lubrication and Bearings
• Electrical Safety
• Electricity for Operators and Technicians
• Industrial Valves
• Compressed Air
• How to Read Process Drawings
• Basic Process Instrumentation and Control
• Pump Fundamentals
• Centrifugal Pumps - Operation
• Introduction to Pulp and Paper Manufacturing
• Wet End Operations 1
• Wet End Operations 2
• Dry End Operations
• Winder Operations
• Environment Protection