Gone are the days when even a seasoned PLC programmer used to get a new job switch just on the basis of PLC or HMI programming skills. Times have changed and these basic skills are not enough now to crack a job. Today, many more different related skills are demanded by a recruiter to get a PLC programming job for experienced people. It is good for freshers, but experienced people should try to learn these skills if they want to flourish in job changing.
Advanced Skills Required for a PLC Programmer
In this post, we will see what are some advanced skills required as of 2024 for experienced programmers to get a job quickly.
Visual Basic (VB)
Usually not within a PLC, but VB language is used mostly in SCADA or HMI as scripting. If you see general software like Siemens, Schneider or Rockwell where they have provision for printing purposes in HMI or for writing scripts in SCADA, we will use language mostly for that purpose. It enhances the operator interface as well as provides the programmer strong options to code a logic as he requires. VB is a high level language and still used in many industrial automation languages.
Microsoft Office Applications
In PLC programming, there is a language called structured text. In that, you can directly copy values or statements from Excel or Word into the PLC code. So it helps if you know how to write macros or other shortcuts in Excel. If you are proficient with office applications, then it will help you in creating shortcut codes in those applications and directly copy them into the PLC code. This will drastically save your time and help to increase your efficiency. Also, these applications are nowadays directly linked with SCADA or other higher integrity automation software. Due to this, you can increase your skills in PLC programming and increase your eligibility in securing a job.
Python
Python is a recently used language which has advanced so much in automation programming nowadays, that it has completely taken over as a storm. It is relatively easy to learn and one of the most powerful advantages is that it has a good code language similarity with the programmers who know C++, Java or VB. Python provides an option for PLC manufacturers to add applications or libraries in their language and mend it directly into PLC software. Due to this, a programmer who knows Python can write his own code and then merge it directly in the PLC software. The PLC will then execute the code and run the application. Not only PLC, but other higher level software like SCADA, OT and other ones use Python for coding.
Data management tools
It basically involves database tools like SQL, Microsoft access, ODBC, Excel database, Oracle, Paradox, etc. Database has the use of dumping data from SCADA or other tools, and then allowing programmers to access them for creating reports, graphs, trends or pie charts. This is because internal memory of SCADA is not enough for storing large amounts of data, and so, the database plays an important role here. If you learn how to write queries or scripts in database software, you can easily handle large amounts of data and use them for other representation purposes afterwards. And as IoT demands more knowledge in database languages, learning this skill can make an experienced programmer a pro in finding jobs.
Safety devices programming
Safety PLC is increasingly used nowadays for programming critical systems like oil and gas, chemicals, etc. Apart from them, safety features in VFD, safety remote IO devices, and safety network devices are also present in the portfolio for allowing the programmers to program a safe environment. All this is possible in standard devices, but with limited access. So, if a programmer is well versed with functional safety system development and it’s regulations, he will be also eligible to apply for a SIL (safety integration level) certificate and make himself more demanding in the market. This is because, nowadays, risk assessment is a critical factor in designing a system. And when you choose such safety devices for programming, you can adapt to such changes.
Camera vision application
A machine vision system is widely used nowadays in manufacturing and production lines. If a PLC programmer has experience in machine automation systems like servo, encoder, robotics and all, he should also learn camera vision programming. Basically, what an operator does by seeing through his eyes; the same action is done by an automated machine. This is possible due to the use of cameras and software algorithms. Due to this, the image is identified whether it is correct or not according to the set image, and performs the required logic then. Times today are requiring more skills in this field, and so, learning this knowledge makes a PLC programmer more demanding to job recruiters.
MQTT
MQTT stands for message queueing telemetry transport protocol. If a PLC programmer is pursuing to explore IoT, then he must surely learn this skill. It uses a client-server architecture that sends and receives messages in the form of topics, publishing and subscribing. Basically, if some IoT or network-enabled device wants to communicate with higher level systems like SCADA or DCS, then they can communicate via MQTT.
MQTT is basically a broker, and helps establish communication between them. This is because network means sim card, and SCADA systems as of now do not have direct communication protocols supporting them. So, you can configure MQTT, where the network credentials will be entered, and the rest of the actual connectivity will be handled by it. MQTT does not have hardcore coding, but you need to understand how to write queries or how to establish proper publish and subscribe codes and parties. Once done, you can then work in an IoT environment easily.
UI/UX design
We know how a friendly user-friendly graphics in SCADA or any other high level display system helps the operator to operate a plant easily. Many do not know but a special skill set called UI / UX is available for aspiring programmers to master them. UI stands for user interface and UX stands for user experience. In UI, a programmer has to properly design and place buttons, icons and menus. It should be in such a way that the color looks aesthetic and the operator is able to understand and navigate them properly.
In UX, once UI is designed, he has to overall ensure the full interaction with the system, easy accessibility and complete operator satisfaction. UI and UX are correlated with each other and their main aim is to design a very bright looking, easy navigating and understandable graphic system. So, a PLC programmer with a strong hold in UI / UX can open many job opportunities for himself.
Cybersecurity
Even a simple HMI system requires security rights for users and groups, to protect unwanted access. In bigger terms, this skill is popularly known as cybersecurity. When you are dealing in an IoT system, the programmer must surely know how to configure cybersecurity settings. As systems expand, they become more vulnerable to digital attacks. So, a programmer needs to understand basic network frameworks, plant security frameworks, rules and regulations, user interfaces on how they are currently operating now, current network configuration, and all the security settings available currently in an automation software. Cybersecurity thus has a special course and programmers can learn this to expertise them.
IoT
IoT is overall a very vast subject, which covers many subjects like cloud computing, database management, artificial intelligence, machine learning, node.js development, API automation, and communication protocols. As industrial automation is progressing rapidly towards IoT now, a programmer needs to learn all the subjects so that he can expertise them and land a job quickly.
Learn communication between various teams of a company
Gone are the days when mostly small scale companies operated in industrial automation. Nowadays, many MNCs are cropping up which operate in industrial automation. They have various departments inside them for automation alone, like projects, engineering, research, customer support, after sales service and other related ones. You should be able to communicate not only with them, but also other departments for your work to be done. It is all about how smartly you operate between them and make the work efficient. I strongly recommend learning advanced communication skills on how to write bang-on emails, how to present yourself, how to talk in online meetings, how to behave with seniors of other departments and get your work done without hurting them, and most importantly, how to be diplomatic.
EHS policies
Last but not the least, an automation programmer must learn EHS policies if he gets a job in a manufacturing or production industry. EHS policy stands for environmental, health and safety policy. It is a regulatory environment and helps them deal with various working hazards and keep themselves safe. Mere programming is not enough, as you should also know the various rules and regulations on how to survive in an industrial environment. This skill is also important in the sense that once completed, you also get a chance to maintain and design the safety environment of an automation system. This boosts your productivity and makes you a handy candidate.
In this way, we saw some general and trending skills required for an experienced PLC programmer to land a job more quickly.
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