Industrial Measurement and Control

What is Industrial Measurement and Control (IMC)?

Industrial measurement and control is a crucial discipline ensuring accuracy and efficiency in various industrial processes. It involves:

Measurement: Precisely capturing physical parameters like temperature, pressure, flow rate, and chemical composition. This involves utilising sensors and transducers that convert physical quantities into electrical signals.
Control: Applying the measured data to regulate and optimize industrial processes. This often involves utilising control systems like PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems to adjust valves, pumps, and other actuators.

IMC plays a vital role in ensuring:

Product quality: Consistent product characteristics are achieved through precise monitoring and control of production processes.
Safety: Maintaining safe operating conditions through accurate monitoring and timely interventions.
Efficiency: Optimising resource utilisation and minimising waste by maintaining optimal process parameters.
Environmental compliance: Adherence to environmental regulations through monitoring and control of emissions and pollutants.

IMC Technicians

These skilled professionals are the backbone of successful IMC systems. Their responsibilities include:

Installation and commissioning: Setting up and calibrating sensors, controllers, and other equipment.
Maintenance and troubleshooting: Ensuring proper operation of the system through regular maintenance and repair of equipment.
Data analysis and interpretation: Monitoring and analyzing process data to identify trends and potential issues.
Reporting and documentation: Maintaining accurate records of system performance and activities.

Skilled IMC technicians are in high demand across various industries, including:

Chemical and petrochemical industry: Monitoring and controlling production processes in refineries and chemical plants.
Food and beverage industry: Ensuring food safety and product quality through temperature and pressure control.
Power generation industry: Maintaining safe and efficient operations of power plants.
Water and wastewater treatment: Monitoring and controlling water quality throughout treatment processes.
Pulp and paper industry: Optimising paper production processes through precise control of variables.
Metal refining industry: Ensuring quality and safety in metal smelting and refining processes.

The New Zealand Certificate in Industrial Measurement and Control (Practice) Level 4 [2251]

EarnLearn offers an industry recognised practical qualification, the NZC Industrial Measurement and Control (Practice) (Level 4). It is intended for people that are working in an IMC workplace and it is assessed entirely on the job. It will take 13 months to complete, producing qualified IMC technicians who can apply Industrial Measurement and Control (IMC) knowledge and practical skills.

This qualification should be taken concurrently or after completing the New Zealand Certificate in Industrial Measurement and Control (Theory) (Level 4) [Ref: 2252] as it recognises the practical application of the knowledge and skills required to safely and competently install, commission, service, and maintain industrial measurement and control equipment and systems.

Training Delivery Model

EarnLearn’s practical programme is assessed entirely on the job. All learners must have a workplace verifier to verify their on-job assessments before being sent to an EarnLearn assessor. This verifier must hold a relevant qualification or demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge. They must also hold a current EWRB practicing license and have done so for a minimum of 3 years.

Note the following points:

• The unit standard assessments should be completed over a 12 month period and can be done in an order that suits the work the trainee is involved in. Consideration should also be given to aligning the sequence with the theory training that is being undertaken at Wintec, where applicable. Wintec offer two intakes per year for the theory qualification.

• On enrolment trainees will receive a Welcome Email, which will include instructions for setting up their My Portal log-in. The trainee will also receive a resource pack comprising their on-job assessments and the trainee handbook.

For more information on these assessments, please see the IMC Handbook.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry, learners must be in employment and engaging in work related to the scope of the programme. Many learners have completed their electrical apprenticeship prior to beginning this programme.

It is recommended that candidates hold NCEA Level 2, with a course endorsement in English, Mathematics, and either Physics or General Science. Candidates should have completed a course of study covering fundamental electrical theory.

It is recommended that this qualification is undertaken concurrently with or consecutively to the New Zealand Certificate in Industrial Measurement and Control (Theory) (Level 4) (Ref: 2252).

This is delivered by Wintec.

For more information see the Wintec IMC course page or check out this video about it or email imcadmin@wintec.ac.nz.

For more information check out the PDFs in the links below.

IMC Handbook

IMC Info Flyer

Workplace Verifier brochure