Best Refinery Operator Training Programs in South Carolina
Refinery operator training programs in South Carolina prepare workers for careers in the state’s petroleum, chemical, and manufacturing industries.
These programs help professionals develop skills for managing boilers, steam systems, and refinery equipment. With major employers like BP, Savannah River Site, and Nucor Steel operating in the region, trained refinery operators are in demand. This guide details top training options, eligibility, course content, locations, enrollment, financial aid, and career prospects.
Who Should Attend?
These programs are for engineers, technicians, and supervisors managing boilers and fire pressure equipment. They help professionals improve skills in boiler operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Newcomers to process engineering can gain essential knowledge for refinery operations.
Course Overview
The Basic Steam Boiler Operator Training is a five-day program combining theory and hands-on learning. Topics include boiler safety, maintenance, troubleshooting, and environmental impact. Participants can take certification exams from Entry Level 3rd Class to Chief Engineering Level.
Key Topics
- Boiler safety procedures
- Electrical hazard prevention
- Environmental regulations
- Boiler functionality and upkeep
- Water treatment methods
- Process control systems
- Hands-on troubleshooting
Orangeburg‑Calhoun Technical College — Electronics Engineering Technology: Electronic Instrumentation (A.A.S.)
- Address: 3250 St Matthews Rd, Orangeburg, SC 29118, United States
- Tel: +1 803-536-0311
This degree builds the core skills operators and technicians use to measure and control process variables in complex facilities—calibrating instruments, integrating PLCs, and troubleshooting systems used across chemical plants, power plants, and other automated environments.
Program highlights
- What you’ll do: Configure, program, calibrate, install, and troubleshoot industrial instrumentation that governs pressure, flow, level, temperature, pH, and related variables.
- Plant context: Curriculum ties directly to maintaining the precision instruments that keep production within spec in process‑controlled systems.
- PLC integration: Dedicated course EIT‑244: Computers & PLCs in Instrumentation links pneumatic/electronic instruments with PLCs for control and data acquisition.
- Work‑based learning: The program includes a co‑op option (EIT 240 – Supervised Work Experience) with partners such as Dominion Energy and Sylvamo.
Trident Technical College — Mechatronics (A.A.S. & Certificates)
- Address: 7000 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406, United States
- Tel: +1 843-574-6111
Hands‑on mechatronics training that prepares technicians to install, test, align, troubleshoot, and repair automated and process‑control systems—the same integrated electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and instrumentation platforms found in large process plants.
Program highlights
- Process‑control focus: The mechatronics track explicitly develops skills for automated and process control systems, including work with sensors and plant instrumentation.
- Controls & instrumentation coursework: Examples include EIT 110 – Principles of Instrumentation, EIT 244 – Computers & PLCs in Instrumentation, and EGR 234 – Control Principles.
Enrollment Process
Enrollment is online. Applicants submit personal details and payment, and support staff assist with the process via live chat or phone.
Financial Assistance
Funding options include state vocational aid, workforce development grants, and employer tuition reimbursement. Federal assistance does not cover non-credit courses; some institutions provide financing plans.
Course Requirements
Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent. Basic math skills are required. The curriculum covers:
- Boiler operation and maintenance
- Pump and valve management
- Process instrumentation
- Safety compliance
- Energy efficiency techniques
Career Prospects
High retirement rates in the industry create job opportunities. Graduates can secure entry-level positions with competitive salaries, and with experience, salaries increase significantly.
Refinery Operator Salaries in South Carolina
| Area | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean annual wage | Hourly wage 10th percentile | Hourly wage 25th percentile | Hourly wage 75th percentile | Hourly wage 90th percentile |
| South Carolina | $33.13 | $68,920 | $12.09 | $23.48 | $42.80 | $42.80 |
Self-Paced Learning
Online programs allow students to progress at their own pace. Features include recorded lectures, quizzes, and discussion forums for better understanding.
Support and Resources
Advisors help with course selection and requirements. Students can get assistance via phone and email during business hours.