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Plastic Technology Engineering has recently gained high momentum in terms of institutes offering this course and students wanting to pursue the same. A career in plastic engineering majorly deals with processing, designing & manufacturing of plastic products.
As per a recent report by CIPET (Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology), the Indian Plastics Industry is yet in the nascent stage and moving rapidly towards realizing its full potential. There are a variety of universities offering this course and myriad opportunities lie for job opportunities in private industries, the public sector as well as teaching. Therefore if you thinking of pursuing a career in plastic engineering, then you should read about the job prospects and salary structure mentioned in the bog.
Education Required
To pursue a career in plastic engineering, you can go for a diploma in plastic engineering after 10th grade or a BE/B.Tech course after 10+2. You have to be good with Physics & Chemistry primarily; mathematical skills might prove as an added advantage. Various institutes offer M.Tech programs to BE/B.Tech degree holders from branches like chemical engineering, plastic-rubber technology, mechanical engineering as well as textile engineering.
Top Indian Institutes
Top International Institutes
Fee Structure
Almost all the top institutes in India offering plastic engineering are government-affiliated. The fees may vary from INR 10,000 to 80,000 depending on the institute/university. For overseas universities, the cost that a student would incur for the degree would vary from INR 15 lacs to 35 lacs.
Salary Structure
Starting salaries for plastic engineering graduates might vary in the private sector from INR 12,000 to 25,000 per month & in the public sector from INR 10,000 to 20,000 per month. For people with M.E./M.Tech degrees, starting salaries can go as high as INR 30,000 to 40,000 per month.
Job Opportunities
As a plastic engineer, you may find jobs and be a vital resource to various critical sectors of the economy like agriculture, infrastructure, consumer goods, telecommunication, medical, automobile, construction, packaging, healthcare, etc.
Some of the profiles that plastic engineers work on may include roles as:
Production Engineer
Safety Supervisor
Lecturer
Mold & Process Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Product Designer
Quality Control in-charge
R&D Officer
Extrusion Specialist
Future Prospects
A number of worldwide multinational companies involved in the production, manufacturing or R&D of plastics might provide wonderful job opportunities to plastic technology engineers. In the public sector corporations of India, plastic engineers might find employment opportunities in companies like Oil India Limited, Petroleum Conservation Research Association of India, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Oil & Natural Gas Limited, etc. Plastic Engineers may also find lectureship jobs in various colleges & universities with decent pay packages.
The most asserting fact of a career in plastic engineering is that career opportunities are not going to decline. Instead, the industry is growing at an enormous rate. So, one can be assured of a good career, handsome salaries & respectable designation.
Have you ever dreamt of sailing on board of a ship to distant ports across the oceans? Have you ever dreamt of living a life on-board of a cruise ship? Are you a technical type who loves Science and Mathematics but rather than pursuing a conventional Engineering degree, could settle for a life extraordinary? If yes, then you may think of a career in Marine Engineering.
Ships, perhaps are one of the most ancient modes of transport, have a charm for many that are unmatched even by the fastest aircraft of today. Modern-day ships are like mini-cities with resident quarters, kitchens, cafés, recreational facilities, and so on.
Especially luxury cruise ships. These have everything that you can imagine. From swimming pools to tennis courts and from fine dining restaurants to casinos, these cruise ships have it all. Oh yes, you would feel like you are living in a 5-star hotel.
Who manages the operations of these floating mini-cities? Deck Officers and Marine Engineers. Deck Officers lead the navigation of the ships and all other non-technical processes and services. At the top of the ladder is the Captain who is the head of all departments on board.
Marine Engineers take care of the smooth running of the engines as well as all the mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment, machinery, systems and processes. At the top of the Marine Engineering function is the Chief Engineer who reports to the ship Captain.
What is Marine Engineering?
Marine Engineering involves working on-board of large marine vessels such as cargo carriers, passenger carriers (ships are often referred to as carriers), cruise liners (luxury passenger ships), oil and CNG tankers, as well as military ships such as aircraft carriers, frigates, and submarines).
Onboard of a ship, Marine Engineers are responsible for making sure that all the mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment, machinery, and systems of the ship work smoothly without any fault or problem. They are responsible for operations, repair, and maintenance of all these equipment, machinery, and systems.
Mechanical equipment, machinery, and systems include:
The diesel engines, turbines, and various engine components which power a ship to navigate
Propulsion systems which are critical for a ship to navigate through water
Navigation systems to control a ship’s navigation
Various pumps, hydraulic machines, and pipelines for different functions
Boilers for various functions
Electrical equipment, machinery, and systems include:
Electrical power plant which generates the electricity required on board of a ship
All systems for electricity transmission and distribution including transformers, electrical hubs, wiring, switching systems, etc.
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems
Lighting systems
Electronic equipment, devices, and systems include:
Various electronic control panels, hardware, and software for operating and piloting a ship
Communication systems, all hardware, and software
Various other electronic systems used for different purposes on board
Onshore Work in Marine Engineering
You may also find work opportunities onshore after a few years of experience as an onboard Marine Engineer. You may find work at different dockyards or shipyards where ships are built and repaired. However, these opportunities are very few.
In onshore work, you will be involved in design, development, construction, installation, repair, and maintenance of the various mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment and systems of marine vessels. You will oversee the installation and inspection of the various mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment and systems.
How’s Life as a Marine Engineer?
As a Marine Engineer you will work on-board of a large marine vessel such as a cargo carrier, passenger carriers, oil tanker, CNG tanker, and luxury cruise liner.
When on duty, you will sail with a ship and work in shifts to ensure that all the mechanical, electrical and electronic systems of the ship work smoothly.
You will often have to do things hands-on and spend time in the engine compartment which is hot and stuffy. As Junior Engineers, at the beginning of your career, such hands-on work will be more. You will have technicians to do most of the dirty works, but you will have to be hands-on too.
You will stay in living quarters on board. Living quarters are very comfortable and most important is that you will have an Internet connection! Sounds great, right? Most modern ships have communication systems which allows you to communicate with anyone anywhere in the world.
Although you will have to work in shifts of 8-12 hours, you will often have to be on guard for the most part of your day. There are a lot of facilities for the Marine Engineers and other officers onboard such as the dining room, gymnasium, recreation room, indoor games room etc.
Well, all these hard work and life on-board, sailing for many months, doing the same work every day do have the rewards. You make a lot of money. On joining as a Junior Engineer – approx. Rs. 35,000 per month.
As a Fourth Engineer (Marine Engineering Officer IV) – Rs. 1.5 to 2 lac a month. As a Second Engineer (Marine Engineering Officer II) – Rs. 2.75 to 3.5 lac or even more a month.
As the Chief Engineer (Marine Engineering Officer Class I)– Rs. 3.5 lac to 5 lac or even more a month. Foreign carriers pay in US Dollars and their pay is higher than Indian carriers’ pay.
And well, all your boarding and lodging expenses on-board of a ship are taken care of by the shipping company. You spend almost nothing on-board unless you are sailing on a luxury cruise and you are spending for spa treatment. The Internet is also free for you!
How do you build a career in Marine Engineering and how do you progress in the job?
Study Class 11-12 in Science Stream with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English – you will require at least 60% marks in aggregate in your final board examination and at least 50% marks in English.
Step 02: Graduation in Engineering OR Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering
Option i) B.Tech. in Marine Engineering
Appear for the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET) and on qualifying, take admission to the 4-year B.Tech. in the Marine Engineering program at the Chennai/ Kolkata/ Mumbai campus of the University or at a Marine Engineering College affiliated with IMU.
Appear for the JEE Mains examination or any other engineering entrance examination, qualify, and then take admission to a 4-year B.E./B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering / Naval Architecture/ Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering.
Remember, for admission to IITs and a few other premier engineering institutions in India, you will have to qualify in the JEE Mains and be selected for appearing in the JEE Advanced examination.
You can do B.Tech. in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from the Visakhapatnam campus of the Indian Maritime University after qualifying in the IMU CET.
Option iii) Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering
You can enroll for a 2-year Higher National Diploma course in Marine Engineering from an institute approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India.
Step 03: Pre-Sea Training
Option i) If you have done a B.Tech. in Marine Engineering, then you will not have to do this training. The 4-year course is considered as Pre-Sea Training.
Option ii) If you have done a B.E./ B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering / Naval Architecture / Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering
If you have successfully completed a 4-year B.E./B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering / Naval Architecture / Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering and obtained at least 50% marks in aggregate in the final examination, then you will have to undergo a compulsory 1-year Pre-Sea Training Course for the Graduate Mechanical Engineer (GME).
Remember that to be eligible for the 1-year Pre-Sea Training Course for Graduate Mechanical Engineer (GME), you must have scored at least 50% marks English in Class 11-12 final board examination.
You must do this 1-year Pre-Sea GME training course at an institution approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India.
Option iii) If you have done a Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering, then you will not have to do this training. The 2-year course is considered as Pre-Sea Training.
Pass your Class 10 Board Examination with Science, Mathematics, and English (along with other subjects). You must have passed English with at least 50% marks.
Step 02: Diploma
Diploma in Marine Engineering / Naval Architecture / Mechanical Engineering / Electrical Engineering / Electronics Engineering / Electrical & Electronics Engineering / Electronics & Communication Engineering / Ship Building Engineering
Appear for the Polytechnic Entrance Examination in your State and on qualifying, take admission to a 3-year Diploma in Marine/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics/ Electrical & Electronics / Electronics & Communication Engineering or to a 4-year Diploma in Ship Building Engineering at a Polytechnic.
Step 03: Pre-Sea Training
If you have successfully completed a 3-year Diploma in Marine/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics/ Electrical & Electronics / Electronics & Communication Engineering or a 4-year Diploma in Ship Building Engineering and obtained at least 50% marks in aggregate in the final examination, then you will have to undergo a compulsory 2-year Pre-Sea Training Course for the Diploma holders.
You must do this 2-year Pre-Sea training course at an institution approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India.
Career Progression for Marine Engineers
Step 01: Joining as a Junior Engineer or an Engineering Cadet on board of a ship (sometimes designated as a Fifth Engineer)
After the completion of your Pre-Sea Training program, you will be able to join on board a ship for a further 6-months on-board training.
After passing the MEO Class IV Examination (MEO stands for Marine Engineering Officer), you can join on-board of a ship as a Fourth Engineer. You may work for 1 year or more in this position and also prepare for the next level of examination. 1 year of on-board experience is essential for the next promotion.
Step 03: Work as a Second Engineer
After at least 1 year of on-board experience as a Fourth Engineer, you will be eligible to sit for the MEO Class II Examination conducted by MMD. On passing this examination as well as after completion of various mandatory training courses, you can join on-board of a ship as a Second Engineer.
Some marine vessels which navigate in the coastal region require passing the MEO Class III Examination conducted by the MMD. But for this too, one has to have at least 1-year of experience as a Second Engineer.
Step 04: Work as a Chief Engineer
After at least 1 and 1/2 years of on-board experience as a Second Engineer, you will be eligible to sit for the MEO Class I Examination conducted by MMD. After passing this examination and a few more years of experience as well as completing various other mandatory training programs, you can join on-board of a ship as the Chief Engineer.
Step 05: Further progression
After becoming a Chief Engineer, you may undergo various competency training programs approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). You may obtain various certificates after completion of such training programs. Then, you can apply for the certification as the Extra First Class Engineer.
Remember that you will have to continuously undertake various competency training programs approved by the DGS. Continuous training and certification are mandatory to keep your job on-board of a ship.
Top Marine Engineering Colleges in India
Indian Maritime University, Kolkata
Indian Maritime University, Chennai
Indian Maritime University, Mumbai Port
Indian Maritime University, Visakhapatnam
Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune
Coimbatore Marine College
Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training, Chennai
International Maritime Institute, Delhi
Samudra Institute for Maritime Studies, Mumbai
Euro Tech Maritime Academy, Cochin
School of Maritime Studies, Vels Institute of Science, Technology, and Advanced Studies, Chennai
Seamanship, Elementary Navigation & Survival at Sea
Mathematics – I
Mathematics – II
Basic Thermodynamics
Applied Thermodynamics – I
Basic Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Strength of Materials – I
Engineering Mechanics – I
Computer Science
Workshop Technology
Engineering Mechanics – II
Geometrical Drawing
Engineering & Machine Drawing
Basic Electrical & Electronics Laboratory
Applied Mechanics Laboratory
Workshop Practical – I
Workshop practical’s – II
Communicative English Lab
Computer Laboratory – I
Semester III
Semester IV
Computational Mathematics
Marine Boilers
Analog Electronics & Communication
Digital Electronics & PLC
Applied Thermodynamics – II
Mechanics of Machines – II
Strength of Materials – II
Electrical Machines – II
Mechanics of Machines – I
Fluids Mechanics
Electrical Machines – I
Marine Heat Engine & Air Conditioning
Marine Engineering Drawing
Applied Marine Control & Automation
Electronics Laboratory
Heat & Boiler Chemical Laboratory
Heat & Chemical Laboratory
Computer Microprocessor & PLC Laboratory
Workshop practical – III
Workshop practical’s —IV
Control Engineering Laboratory
Semester V
Semester VI
Material Science
Ship Fire Prevention & Control
Ship Structure & Construction
Marine Internal Combustion Engine II
Marine Internal Combustion Engine – I
Marine Electrical Technology
Fluid Mechanics
Marine Auxiliary Machines – II
Marine Auxiliary Machines – I
Naval Architecture – II
Naval Architecture – I
Management Science & Economics
Elementary Design & Drawing
Marine Steam Engineering
Material Science Laboratory
Fire Control & Life Saving Appliances Laboratory
Vibration Laboratory & Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
Marine Power Plant Operation —II
Marine Power Plant Operation – I
Electrical Machines Laboratory
Semester VII
Semester VIII
Ship Operation & Management
ON BOARD TRAINING & ASSESSMENT
Advanced Marine Control Engineering & Automation
Voyage / Training Report
IMO – Maritime Conventions & Classification Society
Project on Environment & its Project
Advanced Marine Technology
Viva – Voce
Engine Room Management
Elective
Marine Machinery & System Design
Simulator & Simulation Laboratory
Technical Paper & Project
In Conclusion
A career as a Marine Engineer is a dream career for many. It’s difficult to get into this career as it is highly competitive. Salaries are excellent. You could be earning 5 lacs plus a month before you turn 30 or may be 35. If you are wise, you will be able to save loads of money – crores to be precise if you work for about 15 years on-board.
But life on-board is tough. All the glamour and glitz are for the cruise ships. You might get work opportunities on oil tankers which pay you higher but then there’s nothing much to enjoy life. It’s pretty boring actually. Work is monotonous. You do the same thing day after day.
Sailing on the sea for a long time has a psychological impact too. Staying away from your family for months does have its toll on your mind.
So, it is extremely important to understand whether you are fit for such a career. Does your personality suit the rigours of the job of a Marine Engineer? Do you have the aptitudes to study Marine Engineering?
To get appropriate answers to the questions, it is crucially important to take the help of professional counsellors. Do you know about yourself? Are you sure? Maybe, but taking unbiased career counseling can open up a lot of information about your own self. That will help you to decide whether Marine Engineering is for you or not. You can also avail our counselling services online.
