Ep. 194 - Upskilling in Industrial Automation - Training, Troubleshooting & Future Trends

02/24/25 • 70 min

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In this action-packed episode, our hosts kick off with exciting news about the upcoming Prove It Conference in Dallas and then welcome Kyle—a rising talent in the industrial automation space—to share his unique journey and insights.

Episode Highlights
Getting Started in Automation:
Kyle recounts his transition from studying technology information management at UC Santa Cruz to diving headfirst into the world of SCADA, HMI design, and industrial automation with Inductive Automation. His early days involved a steep learning curve with hands-on training through Inductive University, showcasing the importance of real-world problem solving right from the start.

Training & Onboarding Best Practices:
Discover how the industry’s hallmark training—ranging from the foundational core class to advanced database, scripting, and Perspective modules—is structured. Kyle explains how the approach has evolved from a “trial by fire” to a more measured, project-based learning that emphasizes understanding not just the tool, but also the underlying processes and terminology.

Specialization & Career Growth:
The conversation delves into the importance of role definition in automation teams. Whether you’re focused solely on HMI development or handling the complexities of tag management and PLC integration, learn why narrowing your expertise can be a game changer for career advancement.

Troubleshooting Methodologies:
Kyle breaks down his company’s four-phase troubleshooting cycle—discovery, identification, isolation, and resolution—which not only streamlines problem-solving but also ensures effective communication among support teams. This systematic approach is vital for resolving issues quickly in high-stakes industrial environments.

The Future of Industrial Training:
Looking ahead, the discussion touches on emerging trends such as integrating AI (including ChatGPT) and augmented reality tools like Apple Vision Pro into training programs. The hope is that these advancements will democratize learning in automation—from high school workshops to specialized professional training—bridging the gap between theory and real-world application.

Real-World Advice & Recommendations:
Along with career tips—like taking full advantage of free trials and not shying away from challenging projects—the episode also offers cultural recommendations, including movie nods (think Netflix’s “Carry On” for a SCADA twist) and a must-read book, Businesses Don't Fail, They Commit Suicide by Larry Mandelberger, which dives into the human and organizational aspects of business success.

Tune in for a conversation that’s as much about technical mastery as it is about the evolving landscape of industrial automation education. Whether you’re a newcomer eager to learn or a seasoned pro looking for fresh insights, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you thrive in the rapidly changing world of manufacturing and automation.

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Previous Episode

Ep. 193 - Navigating Automation Careers, PLC Standardization, and Training with Hans

In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, we dive into the world of industrial automation, PLC programming, and career development with Hans Schradermakers, an experienced automation engineer with more than 23 years in the industry. Hans has worked extensively with both Siemens and Rockwell software, specializing in developing, standardizing, testing, and commissioning automation solutions for major companies such as Nestlé, Hershey’s, Pepsi, Kellogg’s, and Pringles.

The conversation begins with an exploration of Hans’ journey from Belgium to Denmark and Austria, tracing the pivotal moments that led him to a career in PLC programming. He shares insights into his early experiences working for machine builders, where he first encountered Siemens automation technology, before later expanding into Rockwell systems. Over the years, he has developed expertise in both platforms, allowing him to provide a balanced perspective on their strengths, weaknesses, and industry adoption.

A key focus of the discussion is the ongoing challenge of standardization in PLC programming. Hans explains how standardization typically occurs at the machine builder level rather than the end-user level, highlighting the importance of structured programming and modular software development. The conversation also explores the differing approaches between European and North American markets, where Siemens dominates in Europe while Rockwell remains the dominant platform in North America.

Hans provides valuable insights into career growth in automation, emphasizing the importance of working on commissioning projects and gaining hands-on experience with industrial machinery. He discusses how exposure to different machine builders and standards accelerates learning and enables engineers to develop better programming structures.

Another major topic covered is the role of training and upskilling in the industry. Hans shares the story of how he transitioned from freelancing to launching PLC Skilltree, his online training platform that provides structured courses for learning TIA Portal programming. He discusses the importance of creating modular, maintainable PLC programs and the growing need for engineers to develop structured programming skills rather than focusing solely on specific programming languages.

The conversation also touches on industry trends, including the potential impact of AI on PLC programming, the growing interest in virtual PLCs, and the shift toward industrial PCs for data collection and processing. Hans provides his perspective on whether AI will become a useful tool for automation engineers and how it might change the way PLC programs are developed in the future.

For engineers and automation professionals looking to advance their careers, Hans provides actionable advice on how to gain experience, work with different companies to broaden expertise, and improve software structuring skills. His insights offer valuable guidance for anyone looking to transition into freelancing, specialize in PLC programming, or build a career in industrial automation.

For more information on Hans’ training courses, visit PLC Skilltree, where he offers structured training for TIA Portal and automation programming. He also shares free resources, including a PLC structuring guide, designed to help engineers improve their programming approach.

Listeners interested in PLC programming, industrial automation, or career development in the manufacturing sector will find this episode highly informative. Whether you are an engineer looking to upskill, a machine builder working on PLC standardization, or a professional considering a transition into freelancing, this conversation provides deep insights into the realities of automation careers and the evolving landscape of industrial control systems.

Follow Manufacturing Hub for weekly conversations on automation, controls, and digital transformation. Subscribe on YouTube or listen on your preferred podcast platform.

🎓 Interested in learning TIA Portal programming?
Check out Hans’ PLC Skilltree training courses at www.plcskilltree.com and grab his free PLC Structuring Guide!

🔗 Connect with Hans on LinkedIn: Hans Schrynemakers
📺 Follow his YouTube channel for tutorials: PLC Skilltree on YouTube

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Next Episode

Ep. 195 - Unlocking Digital Transformation: The Unified Namespace, Industrial Data, and Prove It!

Welcome to Manufacturing Hub, where we dive deep into the world of industrial automation, software, and digital transformation. In this episode, hosts Dave and Vlad are joined by Zach Scriven, an industrial automation expert, digital transformation evangelist, and a key player in the development of Prove It, a groundbreaking industry conference.

This conversation explores a range of topics, from Zach’s personal journey in industrial automation and SCADA integration to his pioneering work in digital transformation education. We discuss Unified Namespace (UNS)—a powerful framework for structuring and scaling industrial data—and its role in breaking down silos and creating scalable, interoperable architectures.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Zach Scriven’s Background: His journey from SCADA integration in the water industry to co-founding 4.0 Solutions and IoT University.
✅ Unified Namespace (UNS): What it is, why it matters, and how it enables scalable industrial data architectures.
✅ Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: The need for a clear strategy, the challenges of data silos, and the shift toward IT-OT convergence.
✅ Edge Computing & Industrial Data Platforms: How Ignition, MQTT, Litmus Edge, HighByte, and HiveMQ are changing the landscape of industrial automation.
✅ Challenges in Legacy Industrial Systems: How companies with aging infrastructure can begin their digital transformation journey.
✅ The Future of Industrial Conferences – Prove It: Why traditional conferences fail to deliver value and how Prove It is disrupting the model by requiring vendors to "prove" their solutions in a real-world simulated environment.

References & Companies Mentioned:

📌 Unified Namespace (UNS) – A key architectural framework in Industry 4.0.
📌 Ignition by Inductive Automation – A leading SCADA and industrial application platform.
📌 HiveMQ & EMQX – MQTT brokers enabling scalable industrial data strategies.
📌 HighByte – An industrial DataOps solution for modeling and structuring data.
📌 Litmus Edge – A platform for edge computing and industrial data management.
📌 Rockwell Automation & Siemens – Leading industrial automation providers.
📌 Prove It Conference (Feb 18-20, 2025) – The first event where vendors must prove their solutions in a real-time, virtual factory environment.

About the Prove It Conference:

The Prove It conference is set to redefine the way industrial automation conferences operate. Unlike traditional events where vendors showcase theoretical solutions, Prove It requires companies to integrate their technologies into a shared virtual factory to demonstrate real-world use cases. Vendors such as Inductive Automation, HiveMQ, Siemens, Opto 22, Dell, Google Cloud, and more will be participating, showcasing how their platforms interact in a live digital ecosystem.

This conference represents the shift from sales-driven to results-driven events, ensuring that attendees see tangible demonstrations rather than just slide decks and sales pitches.

Why This Episode Matters:

This episode is essential for engineers, IT/OT professionals, plant managers, and executives looking to understand how to modernize industrial operations using cutting-edge software, data-driven decision-making, and scalable architectures. Whether you are just starting your digital transformation journey or looking to optimize an existing system, Zach provides valuable insights into where the industry is heading and how you can stay ahead.

🔹 Want to learn more about UNS and industrial data strategies? Check out IoT University for in-depth training: https://iot.university
🔹 Interested in attending Prove It? Get your tickets now before they sell out: https://proveitconference.com

📢 Stay Connected:
🔹 Follow Manufacturing Hub: LinkedIn | YouTube
🔹 Follow Zach Scriven: LinkedIn | IoT University
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