The University of the Virgin Islands has announced that the associate of applied science degree in process technology is being offered on UVI’s Albert A. Sheen campus on St. Croix. Applications are being accepted for the fall 2012 semester.
Process technicians are individuals who have acquired the skills and knowledge to startup, operate, shutdown, analyze and troubleshoot industrial processes. These professionals are employed in process industries that include rum distilleries, power generation, water and wastewater treatment, oil and gas, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals. The skills developed as a process technician are transferable nationally and globally. Starting salaries for process technicians range from $40,000 to $50,000 per year, with excellent benefits. UVI Process Technology Program graduates are gainfully employed at local process industries.
AccordingtotheAmericanChemicalSociety(ACS)thereareapproximately800,000process techniciansintheUnitedStatesand80 percent ofthemare“babyboomers”whowillretireinthe next10to15years. This translates into tremendous job opportunities for young people who decide to pursue this field of study.
The end of the spring 2012 semester will mark the culmination of 10 years of continuous sponsorship of the UVI Process Technology Program by HOVENSA LLC, which has resulted in 97 students having obtained their associate’s degree in process technology. UVI is pursuing strategic collaborations with several local industrial partners such as the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, Cruzan Rum, Diageo USVI LLC and Seven Seas Water to enhance the viability of the program.
Theprogramisanintegralpartofanationaleffortandstrategyto addresstheneedtoproduceprocess techniciansforprocess industries. TheUVI programismodeled aftersimilarprogramsofferedatcommunitycolleges anduniversitiesthroughout theGulfCoastregionoftheUnitedStates. UVI thanks HOVENSA LLC for its sponsorship and support of the UVI Process Technology Program for the last 10 years.
In order to obtain information about the UVI Process Technology Program or to apply, contact Prof. Eric Douglas at 692-4153 or by e-mail atedougla@uvi.edu
