Sometimes it can be difficult to show students that what's taught in the classroom is relevant to their future careers. English, math, chemistry and other subjects can be tied into process technology and what goes on behind the gates of a chemical plant. Most kids don't know that chemical plants produce and process chemicals that are used to make almost everything around them - the tires on their parents' cars, the CDs they listen to and the computers they use to surf the Internet. They're also unaware that the average Louisianian makes a yearly salary of about $28,000, while a process operator starts at almost $35,000 and raises to $40,000 within 30 months.


PTEC (Process Technology) is the standardized curriculum for a two-year associate of applied science degree that prepares people to work as process technology operators in the Louisiana chemical industry. The chemical industry and the state of Louisiana invested more than $3 million in glass lab equipment at the campuses offering PTEC.

The PTEC degree program is offered at seven Louisiana colleges.


In Louisiana, a PTEC degree can land your students jobs as process operators in the chemical industry. A PTEC degree can also prepare them to work in the oil refinery and pharmaceutical industries as well as for other heavy industrial manufacturers. Once they get a PTEC degree and become a process operator, their career options are open. Your students can become a laboratory technician or a safety technician or work in ordering and shipping, training or quality control. Most companies will pay for their education if they want to continue with college. Many of the credits your students will earn with a PTEC degree are transferable to four-year-institutions.


Click here to find PTEC scholarships available to students in your parish.


Students are more likely to relate to real people from their area. See what PTEC students, scholarship recipients, process operators and employers have to say.


Show your students what a process operator does on a typical workday.


Click here to get lesson plans for download that will help you incorporate process technology into your classroom.


The PTEC Ambassador program allows local chemical company employees the opportunity to talk to high school students about what they are taught in the classroom and how it can be used in the workplace.

This program allows students who are interested in a career in the chemical industry to find out first-hand what courses and skills they need to enter into the PTEC degree program and obtain a career in process technology. If you would like a PTEC ambassador to visit your school or classroom, please contact Career Builders.

Think process technology and PTEC is just for guys? Think again. Listen to what one woman has to say about PTEC and being a process operator.

PTEC…Just for Girls Summer Camp is a camp that emphasizes process technology concepts to upcoming junior and senior girls.

During this fun camp, high school girls will get a first-hand look into process technology by working on real-world projects with PTEC instructors, touring plants and talking to female process operators and managers. After the camp is over, these young women will have a better understanding of the skills and knowledge needed for a career in process technology. The one-week camp is funded by local business and industry. If some of your female students show a special interest in science and you would like to share this information with them, please contact Career Builders, for the Just for Girls Summer Camp information and application.

PTEC 101 gives interested high school students hands-on experience with process technology, something these students wouldn't normally get until after they received their diploma.

PTEC 101 is a high school course designed for seniors interested in pursing a PTEC degree and a career as a process technology operator. Through company sponsorship of PTEC 101, seniors learn first-hand about careers as process technology operators. During the course, students receive an overview of an operator's job that includes studying job responsibilities and duties, personal and environmental safety, workplace safety and equipment. Please contact Career Builders. If you would like to establish a PTEC 101 course at your high school.