Program Overview
A Plastics Manufacturing Certificate prepares the individual to setup and maintain injection molding processes, plastics testing processes and ensure quality control. Individuals may also be skilled in various processes such as blow molding, extrusion, and thermoforming. Typically these individuals report to manufacturing supervisors, receiving daily objectives from them.
Technicians work on assignments and tasks with minimum supervision and guidance, often requiring the technician to interface and pass down information to personnel on incoming and outgoing shifts. It is expected by employers that technicians demonstrate excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Coursework (100 level or higher) completed in this certificate directly applies toward the associate degree in plastics engineering technology.
Career Outlook
Graduates of this program may find employment as entry-level mold technicians, mold setters, job setters or material handlers working under the direction of the manufacturing department. Some of the typical duties of these technicians will include performing: mold insert changes, material color changes, press start-ups and shut downs, mold changes and planned maintenance (PMs) on the molds, performing product inspections to verify conformance to specifications, ensuring quality control, directing and performing adjustments of molding equipment, and working closely with the production and the quality control departments.