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QUICK FACTS*: School Subjects: Computer science; Mathematics Personal Skills: Communication/ideas Technical/scientific Work Environment: Primarily indoors; Primarily one location Minimum Education: Level Associate’s degree Salary Range: $26,800 to $40,970 to $73,320+ Certification or Licensing: Voluntary Future Outlook : About as fast as the average DOT: 012 GOE: 05.03.06 NOC: 2233 O*NET: 17-3026.00 OVERVIEW Industrial engineering technicians assist industrial engineers in their duties: they collect and analyze data and make recommendations for the efficient use of personnel, materials, and machines to produce goods or to provide services. They may study the time, movements, and methods a worker uses to accomplish daily tasks in production, maintenance, or clerical areas. Industrial engineering technicians prepare charts to illustrate work flow, floor layouts, materials handling, and machine utilization. They make statistical studies, analyze production costs, prepare layouts of machinery and equipment, help plan work flow and work assignments, and recommend revisions to revamp production methods or improve standards. As part of their job, industrial engineering technicians often use equipment such as computers, timers, and camcorders. HISTORY Industrial engineering is a direct out growth of the industrial revolution, which began in England in the 18th century and later spread to the United States. By linking a power source, such as a steam engine, to simple mechanical devices, early mechanical and industrial engineers were able to design and build factories that produced a variety of goods rapidly and economically. Today, factories in the United States and around the world produce almost all our consumer goods. This tremendous growth led to a need for industrial engineers, who evaluate not only the machines that go into the factory but also the raw materials, the people who run the machines, the costs and efficiency of operations, and other factors that affect the success of an industrial operation. Industrial engineering as a separate specialty emerged during the 20th century. For as long as there have been industrial engineers, however; there have been skilled assistants who work with them and handle tasks that do not require the engineer’s direct involvement. Today’s industrial engineering technicians are the direct descendants of those assistants. As the years have gone by, the number, variety, and complexity of industrial engineering technicians’ responsibilities have increased greatly. In the past, assistants could rely purely on common sense and on-the-job experience, but today’s industrial engineering technicians must be specially trained and educated before entering the workplace. Today, the scope of industrial engineering goes far beyond the factory. The principles of work flow and quality control are now applied to other work environments, including corporate offices and retail stores. The industrial engineering technician is recognized and respected as a team member in evaluating and improving production and working conditions. THE JOB The type of work done by an industrial engineering technician depends on the location, size, and products of the company for which he or she works. Usually a technician’s duties fall into one or more of the following areas: work measurement, production control, wage and job evaluation, quality control, or plant layout. Industrial engineering technicians involved in methods engineering analyze new and existing products to determine the best way to make them at the lowest cost. In these analyses, methods engineering technicians recommend which processing equipment to use; determine how fast materials can be processed; develop flowcharts; and consider all materials-handling, movement, and storage aspects of the production. The materials-handling technician studies the current methods of handling material, then compares and evaluates alternatives. The technician will suggest changes that reduce physical effort, make handling safer, and lower costs and damage to products. Work measurement technicians study the production rate of a given product and determine how much time is needed for all the activities involved. They do this by timing the motions necessary for a complete operation, analyzing tapes of workers, and consulting historical statistics collected in the factory. Time study technicians analyze and determine elements of work, their order and the time required to produce a part. The engineering technicians in production control often work in scheduling departments, where they coordinate many complex details to ensure product delivery on a specified date. To do this, production control technicians must know the products and assemblies to be made, the routes to be used through the plant, and the time required for the process. These technicians also issue orders to manufacture products, check machine loads, and maintain constant surveillance of the master schedules. Production control technicians also work in dispatching offices, where they issue orders to the production areas, watch department machine loads, report progress of products, and expedite the delivery of needed parts to avoid delays. Inventory control technicians maintain inventories of raw materials, semifinished products, completed products, packaging materials, and supplies. They ensure an adequate supply of raw materials, watch for obsolete parts, and prevent damage or loss to products. In quality control, technicians work with inspection departments to maintain quality standards set by production engineers. They check all incoming materials and forecast the quality of obtainable materials. Quality control technicians use a variety of techniques to perform duties that include part-drawing surveillance, checking of parts with inspection tools, identifying trouble, and providing corrective procedures. Cost control technicians compare actual product costs with budgeted allowances. These technicians investigate cost discrepancies, offer corrective measures, and analyze results. Budget technicians gather figures and facts to project and graph break-even points. They help prepare budgets for management and present the effects of production schedules on profitability. Technicians working in the area of wage and job evaluation gather and organize information pertaining to the skill, manual effort, education, and other factors involved in the jobs of all hourly employees. This information helps management set salary ranges and establish job descriptions. The plant layout technician works with materials-handling personnel, supervisors, and management to help make alterations in manufacturing facilities. These technicians study old floor plans; consider all present and future aspects of operations; and revise, consult, and then propose layouts to production and management personnel. REQUIREMENTS High School In high school, take classes in algebra, geometry, calculus, chemistry, physics, trigonometry, and English. Mechanical drawing, metal shop, and communications will also be helpful. Computers have become the most used tools in industrial engineering, so computer science classes are critical if you are considering a career in this field. Also recommended are courses in shop sketching, blueprint reading, mechanical drawing, and model making, if available. Postsecondary Training Most employers prefer to hire someone with at least a two-year degree in engineering technology although it is possible to qualify for some jobs with no formal training. Training is available at technical institutes, junior and community colleges, extension divisions of universities, public and private vocational-technical schools, and through some technical training programs in the armed services. Most two-year associate programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) include first-year courses in mathematics, orthographic and isometric sketching, blue print reading, manufacturing processes, communications, technical reporting, introduction to numerical control, and introduction to computer-aided design (CAD). Typical second-year courses include methods, operation, and safety engineering; industrial materials; statistics; quality control; computer control of industrial processes; plant layout and materials handling; process planning and manufacturing costs; production problems; psychology and human relations; and industrial organization and institutions. Since the type and quality of programs and schools vary considerably, prospective students are advised to consider ABET-accredited programs first. Certification or Licensing To give recognition and encouragement to industrial engineering technicians, the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies has established a certification program that some technicians may wish to consider. Although certification is not generally required by employers, those with certification often have a competitive advantage when it comes to hiring and promotions. Certification is available at various levels, each combining a writ ten examination in a specialty field with a specified amount of job related experience. Other Requirements You should be adept at compiling and organizing data and be able to express yourself clearly and persuasively both orally and in writing. You should be detail oriented and enjoy solving problems. EXPLORING Opportunities to gain experience in high school are somewhat limited. However, you can obtain part-time work or summer jobs in industrial settings, even if not specifically in the industrial engineering area. Although this work may consist of menial tasks, it offers firsthand experience and demonstrates interest to future employers. Part-time jobs often lead to permanent employment, and some companies offer tuition reimbursement for educational costs. Insights into the industrial engineering field can also be obtained in less direct ways. Professional associations regularly publish newsletters and other information relevant to the technician. Industrial firms frequently advertise or publish articles in professional journals or in business and general interest magazines that discuss innovations in plant layout, cost control, and productivity improvements. By reading these articles, you can acquaint yourself with and stay informed on developments in the field. EMPLOYERS Industrial engineering technicians most often work in durable goods manufacturing, such as electronic and electrical machinery and equipment, industrial machinery and equipment, instruments, and transportation equipment. Some technicians are employed by engineering and business services companies that do contract engineering work. The U.S. Departments of Defense, Transportation, Agriculture, and Interior are also major employers, along with state and municipal governments. STARTING OUT Many industrial engineering technicians find their first jobs through interviews with company recruiters who visit campuses. In many cases, students are invited to visit the prospective employer’s plant for further consultation and to become better acquainted with the area, product, and facilities. For many students, the job placement office of their college or technical school is the best source of possible jobs. Local manufacturers or companies are in constant contact with these facilities, so they have the most up-to-date job listings. ADVANCEMENT As industrial engineering technicians gain additional experience, and especially if they pursue further education, they become candidates for advancement. Continuing education is fast becoming the most important tool for advancement. Many employers encourage their employees to pursue continuing education and will reimburse education costs. The typical advancement path for industrial engineering technicians is to become a supervisor, an industrial engineer, or possibly a chief industrial engineer. Here are some examples of positions to which technicians might aspire: Production control managers supervise all production control employees, train new technicians, and coordinate manufacturing departments. Production supervisors oversee manufacturing personnel and compare departmental records of production, scrap, and expenditures with departmental allowances. Plant layout engineers supervise all plant-layout department personnel, estimate costs, and confer directly with other department heads to obtain information needed by the layout department. Managers of quality control supervise all inspection and quality control employees, select techniques, teach employees new techniques, and meet with tool room and production people when manufacturing tolerances or scrap become a problem. Chief industrial engineers supervise all industrial engineering employees, consult with department heads, direct departmental projects, set budgets, and prepare reports. EARNINGS Salaries for industrial engineering technicians vary according to the product being manufactured, geographic location, and the education and skills of the technician. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that industrial engineering technicians earned salaries that ranged from less than $26,800 to more than $67,840 in 2001, with a median salary of $40,970. Industrial engineering technicians who work in computer and data processing services earned an average salary of $73,320 in 2000. Technicians employed in the electric components and accessories industry earned a median salary of $36,300 in 2000. In addition to salary, most employers offer paid vacation time, holidays, insurance and retirement plans, and tuition assistance for work related courses. WORK ENVIRONMENT Industrial engineering technicians generally work indoors. Depending on their jobs, they may work in the shop or office areas or in both. The type of plant facilities depends on the product. For example, an electronics plant producing small electronic products requiring very exacting tolerances has very clean working conditions. Industrial engineering technicians often travel to other locations or areas. They may accompany engineers to technical conventions or on visits to other companies to gain insight into new or different methods of operation and production. Continuing education plays a large role in the life of industrial engineering technicians. They may attend classes or seminars, keeping up-to-date with emerging technology and methods of managing production efficiently. Hours of work may vary and depend on factory shifts. Industrial engineering technicians are often asked to get jobs done quickly and to meet very tight deadlines. OUTLOOK As production processes become more technically demanding, competitive pressures will force companies to improve and update manufacturing facilities and product designs. Thus, the demand for well-trained industrial engineering technicians will stay about aver age over the next several years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Opportunities will be best for individuals who have up-to-date skills. As technology becomes more sophisticated, employers will continue to seek technicians who require the least amount of additional job training. The employment outlook varies by area of specialization and industry. For example, changing and increasing numbers of environ mental and safety regulations may lead companies to revise some of their procedures and practices, and new technicians may be needed to assist in these changeovers. Technicians whose jobs are defense- related may experience improved opportunities because of recent increases to the defense budget. Prospective technicians should keep in mind that advances in technology and management techniques make industrial engineering a constantly changing field. Technicians will be able to take advantage of new opportunities only if they are willing to continue their training and education throughout their careers. FOR MORE INFORMATION… For information about membership in a professional society specifically created for certified engineering technicians, contact American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians P0 Box 1348 Flowery Branch, GA 30542 Tel: 770-967-9173 Email: General_Manager@ascet.org For information on careers and training as an industrial engineer, contact Institute of Industrial Engineers 3577 Parkway Lane, Suite 200 Norcross, GA 30092 Tel: 800-494-0460 Visit the JETS website to read the online brochure, Engineering Technologists and Technicians. Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) 1420 King Street, Suite 405 Alexandria, VA 223 14-2794 Tel: 703-548-5387 Email: jetsinfo@jets.org For information on certification, contact National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies 1420 King Street Alexandria, VA 223 14-2794 Tel: 888-476-4238 |
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