The Electronic Technician supervises the electricians, and oversees the electrical work involved in different projects. A very important part of this job is programming a number of Programable Logic Controllers or PLCs. Most of the mill's processes depend on these controllers. The mill's optimizers scan the logs, and send a solution to the PLC, which in turn communicates the optimizing instructions to the machinery itself. Training and refresher courses for PLC operators are a job requirement. A three-year electronics course at an institute or community college is the starting point for this position.