Operators....how long did it take to qualify

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On your first unit? What kind of unit were you running? What is a reasonable time to learn something like utilities?

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I illegally practiced around the neighborhood in my siblings' cars and my parents' cars for about a year before I sat for the written test at age 14 1/2. Mom* had a '70 Sedan deVille, dad had some kind of GM shitbox (Regal or something), sibs had a '73 Impala and a '74 Maverick. I took Driver's Ed and got my unrestricted license following passing that class and the practical at the end of the class.

I would think a year is reasonable to learn to operate a motor vehicle, I'm not familiar with it being called "utilities" but whatever.

*No pics, think Heddy Lamarr in the mid '40s.

I got on with a small refinery and qualified in the FCC (Fluidized Catalytic Cracking) unit in 6 months I think. I was in the process of qualifying on my second unit when I decided I couldn't take the shift work anymore. Plus the people on my shift were miserable old farts and I was afraid the plant was going to blow up at any moment. I quit and went back to school. Not sure if all plants are like that one but you could qualify in as little as 6 months but you had a deadline to qualify. Can't remember if it was a year or 18 months.

2years associate plant tech
2years plant tech
Sr plant tech after 4 years
After retirements Lead equipment operator in year 14. (similar to a shift supervisor)

This is in a steam turbine power plant.

I work In a vinyl unit, our unit is broken down to 4 outside jobs and 2 board jobs. It takes 6-9 months to qualify in an outside job and probably about a year to qualify each board. You get your raise every 9 months so you have to be qualified in a new outside job within 9 months.

You should qualify before you reach 6 months. But it may take less time, depending on the unit. Why are you worried about the time limit?

1 year to acquire an F250, bass boat, and Baw-fabulous house in the LP. Another year to acquire an ex-wife. 6 more months for your alimony and truck/house/boat notes to put you under water. So 2.5 years max.

Utilities
Great unit to be in, I enjoy my utilities job. It's busy but that makes the day go by faster. I'm sure you can do it in 3 mos, do a little reading on your off days and ask questions if you don't understand something. Good luck!

Every unit is different. It took me 6 months in a chem plant.

Be able to answer troubleshooting questions and explain instrumentation.

I would ask to go on rounds of the unit you're qualifying for and stay out there extra long to walk out the lines.