Table Of Content

You’re a what? Automation technician Many people think of automation as If part of the process isn’t working laborsaving technology. But it sure correctly it can be an alarming experience— keeps Jim Duffell busy. literally. When a piece of equipment begins Jim is an automation technician. For the functioning outside its assigned tolerance, past 9 years, he has spent his workdays moni- an alarm sounds. A first alarm makes Jim toring production equipment for a food manu- aware of a problem but allows production to facturing company in San Antonio, Texas. continue while Jim goes through a logical The company’s products—mixes for biscuits, sequence to isolate, and fix, the problem. He enchiladas, and gravy—are manufactured must complete this process before a second using fairly typical automation processes. alarm sounds, which indicates a more severe Defined simply, automation is a technique problem and shuts down production. Many for making a device run or a process occur manufacturing companies operate 24 hours with minimal direct human intervention. But a day. Shutdowns are costly, so automation the functions and technologies involved in technicians must be able to identify and solve automated manufacturing are complex. Nearly problems quickly. John Mullins all functions, from orders coming in to prod- Automation technicians may have a ucts going out, are subject to automation. The variety of job titles, depending on their technologies include mechanical, electrical, specific duties and the industry in which they and computer, among others. work. Jim’s title is “lead production support And it is the job of automation techni- technician.” Other common titles include cians like Jim to monitor, troubleshoot, and “control technician” and “instrumentation repair these complex systems. “I go from one technician.” But whatever they are called, piece of equipment to another,” says Jim. “I’m automation technicians need certain skills to on my feet most of the day.” perform their jobs. In the company where Jim works, ingre- Critical thinking and problem-solving dients for the mixes are blended, stored, and skills are a must, as is the ability to work packaged by machines that are controlled by well under pressure. Automation technicians computerized devices. These devices, known are sometimes asked to prepare reports for as programmable logic controllers, regu- managers or other nontechnical audiences, so late the weight and quantity of ingredients, they should be able to write well. And because transmission of mixes to storage areas, and their job may involve training junior staff, au- packaging and shipment of final products. tomation technicians need good interpersonal John Mullins is an Additionally, customer order information is and communication skills. “Nine times out of economist in the automated to reduce excess inventory. ten, the work I’m doing is more complicated Office of Occupa- When production runs smoothly, Jim than the trainees have been prepared for,” says tional Statistics concentrates on preventative maintenance and Jim. “It’s my job to explain the information in and Employment upkeep. He uses a variety of instruments to a way that’s clear enough for those new to this Projections, BLS. ensure that all equipment is operating within work to understand.” He can be reached a given tolerance, or range. For example, he Above-average proficiency in computers at (202) 691–6547 may use standardized weights to make certain is also critical for these technicians, because or mullins.john@ that the appropriate amount of each ingredient much of their job involves minor program- bls.gov. in the biscuit mix is being dispensed. ming. And nearly all automation technology 58 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2010 involves measurement, so aptitude in math- automation technology, and many others offer ematics is important. coursework that can be tailored to duplicate Many automation technicians have a such programs. Two-year programs are avail- background in either mechanics or electron- able at some community colleges. Vocational- ics. Jim, for example, started out as a mainte- technical schools, unions, and industry trade nance electrician for another food manufac- associations also offer training. turer. There, he learned programmable logic Formal training should cover four basic controller electronics—and when that com- areas: mechanics, electronics, computer pany downsized, Jim’s knowledge gave him science, and process control. These disci- an edge in applying for his current position. plines—known together as mechatronics— Like Jim, many automation technicians are the core of automation technology. build their skills through years of on-the-job The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics training. But that training is usually supple- (BLS) does not collect employment or wage mented with additional preparation, such as data on automation technicians. Industry completing certification programs that are sources suggest, however, that the annual conducted by producers of automation equip- wage is about $50,000, an amount similar to ment. Jim has completed four such courses the May 2008 wage for closely related engi- related to equipment he oversees at work. neering technician occupations for which BLS Jim advises prospective technicians today does collect data. The annual median wage for to get a postsecondary degree. “It’s possible U.S. workers across all occupations in May to get a job if you have a lot of experience,” 2008 was $32,390. he says, “but these days, most companies are Jim’s job can be demanding; he’s often looking for people with an associate degree.” required to put in overtime and to be on call. That advice is echoed by industry sources, But he finds his work gratifying. “Every day, who stress the importance of education. there’s a different challenge,” he says, “and Some institutions offer training specifically in every day I learn something.” Automation technicians monitor, troubleshoot, and repair complex manufacturing systems. Spring 2010 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 59