Every week at EDWartens, we meet qualified electricians who are ready for a change. They have spent years on construction sites, in maintenance departments, or running their own domestic electrical businesses. They are skilled, practical, and technically minded. But they have hit a ceiling — and they know that PLC engineering represents the next level.
If this sounds like you, this guide is written specifically for your situation. The transition from electrician to PLC engineer is not only achievable — it is one of the most logical and rewarding career moves in the engineering trades.
Why Electricians Make Excellent PLC Engineers
Your electrical background gives you significant advantages that career changers from other fields simply do not have:
You already understand circuits. PLC ladder logic was literally designed to look like electrical relay circuits. When you first see a rung of ladder logic with normally open contacts, normally closed contacts, and output coils, it will feel immediately familiar. You are not learning a new concept — you are learning a new way to implement something you already understand.
You know how to read schematics. The ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams is a fundamental PLC engineering skill that you already possess. Understanding the relationship between a physical circuit and its logical representation is second nature to trained electricians.
You understand safety. Electrical safety awareness, lockout/tagout procedures, and risk assessment are core PLC engineering competencies. Employers value engineers who instinctively think about safety implications when designing and commissioning control systems.
You have site experience. You know how to work on an industrial site, communicate with maintenance teams, manage contractors, and operate under permit-to-work systems. These soft skills are highly valued and cannot be taught in a classroom.
The Skills Gap You Need to Close
Despite your advantages, there are specific skills you need to develop:
1. PLC Programming Fundamentals
- Ladder Diagram (LD) — Your relay logic knowledge transfers directly
- Function Block Diagram (FBD) — For analogue processing and PID control
- Structured Text (ST) — A text-based programming language for complex logic
- Timer and counter functions
- Data handling and memory management
2. SCADA and HMI
- SCADA system architecture and configuration
- HMI screen design and navigation
- Alarm management and historical trending
- Data logging and reporting
3. Industrial Networking
- PROFINET and Ethernet/IP basics
- IP addressing and subnetting
- PLC-to-PLC communication
- Network troubleshooting with Wireshark
4. Process Control Concepts
- PID control theory and tuning
- Analogue signal processing (4-20mA, 0-10V)
- Instrumentation basics
- Control valve characteristics
The Financial Case
Let us be direct about the numbers, because this is often the primary motivator:
| Role | Typical Salary | |------|---------------| | Employed electrician | £28,000 – £38,000 | | Self-employed electrician | £35,000 – £50,000 (variable) | | Junior PLC engineer | £35,000 – £42,000 | | PLC programmer (2-3 years) | £42,000 – £55,000 | | Senior controls engineer | £55,000 – £72,000 | | Lead controls engineer | £65,000 – £85,000 | | PLC contractor (day rate) | £300 – £500/day (£70k – £115k annualised) |
The salary difference over a 20-year career can exceed £500,000 — and that is before accounting for the contracting premium that many PLC engineers eventually command.
Step-by-Step Transition Plan
Month 1-2: Foundation Training
Enrol in a structured PLC training programme that covers Siemens TIA Portal (the dominant platform in the UK and Europe). At EDWartens, our 5-day Professional Module is specifically designed to take practical engineers from zero PLC experience to job-ready competence. The hands-on approach — programming real Siemens S7-1200/S7-1500 PLCs, configuring WinCC SCADA, and running FactoryIO simulations — is ideally suited to electricians who learn by doing.
Month 2-3: Practice and Portfolio Building
After completing the structured training:
- Download Siemens TIA Portal trial (free for 21 days) and programme practice projects
- Complete FactoryIO simulation scenarios to build a portfolio
- Study for the Siemens Certified Professional qualification
- Build 3-5 example projects that demonstrate your programming ability
Month 3-4: Job Applications
- Update your CV to highlight both electrical and PLC skills
- Register with specialist automation recruitment agencies (Premier Group, CBSbutler, Jonathan Lee)
- Apply for junior PLC engineer and commissioning engineer roles
- Leverage EDWartens' career support and employer introductions
Month 4-6: First Role
Target roles such as:
- Junior PLC Engineer — Programming and testing under supervision
- Commissioning Engineer — Site-based role combining electrical and PLC skills
- Controls Technician — Maintenance role with PLC troubleshooting responsibilities
- Panel Build Technician with PLC — Combines your wiring skills with basic programming
Common Concerns Addressed
"Am I too old to switch?" Absolutely not. The average age of our electrician-to-PLC students is 34. Employers value the maturity, site experience, and work ethic that experienced tradespeople bring. We have successfully placed career changers aged 25 to 52.
"Do I need a degree?" No. PLC engineering is a skills-based profession. Employers care about what you can programme, not what university you attended. A CPD-accredited training certificate combined with a practical portfolio is sufficient for most roles.
"Will I have to start at the bottom?" Your starting title may be junior, but your salary will typically be higher than your current electrician role from day one. Progression is rapid — most career changers reach mid-level roles within 18-24 months.
"Can I do this while still working?" Yes. Our courses run Monday to Friday during the day, but we also offer online recorded sessions that you can complete in the evenings and weekends. Many of our students take one week off work for the live training and complete the rest around their existing schedule.
Real Success Stories
Many of our most successful graduates are former electricians. They bring a unique combination of hands-on electrical knowledge and freshly trained PLC skills that employers find irresistible. The career transition from electrician to PLC engineer is not just possible — it is one of the most reliable paths to higher earnings and greater job satisfaction in the engineering trades.
If you are ready to make the move, contact EDWartens to discuss your training options. Your electrical background is not a limitation — it is your greatest asset.