Online PLC training in the UK comes in three useful forms: live instructor-led classes, self-paced video courses and free simulators and tutorials. Live classes suit people who want structure and questions answered on the spot, self-paced courses suit people fitting study around work, and free tools suit anyone deciding whether PLC work is for them. Most successful learners combine at least two.
What types of online PLC training are available?
There are three, plus a hybrid. The table sets out how they differ in practice.
| Type | How it works | Typical cost | Best for | Weak spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live instructor-led online | Scheduled sessions over video, with a trainer who answers questions and reviews your work | Low thousands of pounds for a five-day class (EDWartens £2,568 incl. VAT; Siemens SITRAIN online priced by quotation) | Beginners who need pace, feedback and accountability | Fixed dates; costs more |
| Self-paced video | You watch modules when you like and practise alone | Varies widely by provider | Busy people and those who already know basics | Easy to stall without a deadline; no one checks your logic |
| Free tutorials and simulators | Videos, free courses and browser tools | £0 | Testing interest; extra practice | No structure, no credential, no feedback |
| Hybrid (live plus self-paced) | A live class plus on-demand modules for depth | Often bundled | Learners who want both structure and flexibility | Needs discipline to finish the self-paced part |
We list prices only where a provider shows them publicly. SITRAIN's online TIA Portal Programming 1 course runs over five days on Microsoft Teams with a cloud virtual lab, and its price comes as a personalised quotation, so ask Siemens for a figure and its VAT treatment before comparing.
Is live online PLC training better than self-paced?
Live is better for most first-timers, and self-paced is better once you have the basics. The deciding factors are feedback and pace. In a live class an instructor can see that your ladder rung is latched wrongly and explain why. In a self-paced course you find out when your simulation misbehaves, and you may not know why.
Self-paced wins on schedule and cost control. If you work shifts or have caring responsibilities, a fixed five-day class may not be possible. Two honest questions help: do you finish courses you start without outside deadlines, and do you know what you do not know? If the answers are no and no, choose live.
Can you really learn PLC programming online without hardware?
Yes, for logic, HMI and SCADA, with a caveat about wiring. PLCSIM, Siemens' simulator, runs your program on a virtual PLC. Factory I/O adds a virtual machine such as a conveyor to control. Free browser tools such as the PLC simulator, ladder logic simulator and motor control simulator let you practise without installing anything. Work saved on your device means you can come back to it.
What simulation does not teach is physical commissioning: terminating a wire, spotting a failed output card, reading LED states on a real CPU. Employers know this, and an interview is the place to show you can explain your logic and your fault-finding approach whether or not you owned a rig. See PLC training kit vs simulator for a longer treatment, and plan to get hands on real kit through a placement, a first job or a college lab.
Which online PLC training should you choose?
Choose by your situation, not by the course that looks most impressive. These rules of thumb work:
- Complete beginner, career change, want a result in weeks: a live class plus a practice routine. The structure matters more than the brand.
- Electrician or maintenance technician who already reads schematics: a live class can be quick, or self-paced plus simulators may be enough.
- Student or graduate on a tight budget: start free, then decide. The free Siemens TIA Portal course and free simulators cost nothing.
- Employer-funded: compare vendor training and private classes by credential and cost per day.
- Already working in PLCs and want a specific skill: a targeted self-paced module, such as PID control or PROFINET.
How long does it take? Our guide to how long it takes to learn PLC programming gives realistic timelines by background.
What does a realistic four-week online learning plan look like?
A mix of live teaching and free practice works better than either alone. This plan assumes you already have a laptop and around six to eight hours a week, and it is a suggestion rather than a guarantee of a particular result:
- Week 1: foundations. Use the free electrical fundamentals course and the ladder logic simulator to learn contacts, coils and latching.
- Week 2: a platform. Install your chosen software and complete a first project, such as a start-stop circuit, following a beginner tutorial.
- Week 3: a structured class. Attend a live class, or work through a self-paced course with a fixed weekly deadline you set yourself.
- Week 4: a portfolio. Rebuild two projects from scratch without notes, document them and prepare to explain them.
Our guide to how long it takes to learn PLC programming explains why timelines vary with background, and why repetition matters more than hours logged.
What are the common mistakes when learning PLCs online?
They are mostly about discipline, not intelligence. Watch for these:
- Watching without building. Passive video feels productive. Pause and reproduce every example yourself.
- Hopping between platforms. Pick one and stay with it until you can build a small project unaided.
- No deadline. Self-paced courses need a calendar commitment, so book study time like a meeting.
- Skipping the theory. Electrical safety, sensors and control basics make troubleshooting possible; our Basic Engineering modules and free courses exist to cover these.
- Never testing on a real-world scenario. Use Factory I/O or a lab simulator to control something that behaves like a machine, not only to switch lamps.
What should you check before paying for online PLC training?
Check six things, and expect clear answers:
- Is it live, recorded or both? A "course" can be a recording library.
- Class size. Smaller cohorts mean more feedback.
- Software. Which PLC platform and version, and do you get a licence or trial to practise on?
- Credential. CPD certificate, certificate of attendance or regulated qualification. They are not equal; see CPD vs City & Guilds vs Siemens certification.
- Career support. What it includes and what it does not promise. Our guide to job support in PLC training lists red flags.
- Total cost. Price, VAT, deposit terms and anything extra.
How do credentials differ between online and in-person PLC courses?
They differ a lot, and the label on the certificate tells you what it is. Here is how the courses we checked compare:
| Course | Format | Credential |
|---|---|---|
| EDWartens Professional Module | Five days live online, plus self-paced modules | CPD-accredited certificate, 80 credits; not a regulated qualification |
| Make UK, Programming PLC (3 days) | In person, Aston | Certificate of attendance; no assessment |
| Dudley College, PLCs 1 (Level 4) | In person, eight Wednesday evenings | Competency certificate; free if eligible |
| Technique Learning Solutions, PLC (5 days) | Learner's own training rig and computer, or at your premises | City & Guilds accredited; £1,030 + VAT |
In-person courses still have a real advantage if you want hands-on rig time. Technique describes its five-day course as 90% practical, with each learner working on their own training rig, and Dudley uses S7-1200 hardware alongside simulation. The trade-off is travel, fixed times and, in some cases, a narrower choice of dates. Our guide to CPD vs City & Guilds vs Siemens certification explains what each credential does and does not prove.
How does EDWartens' live online course work?
It is a five-day live class on Microsoft Teams, led by an instructor, in cohorts of no more than 10, starting every Monday. Days 1 and 2 cover TIA Portal, S7 PLC hardware, ladder logic and simulation. Day 3 covers HMI and PLC-HMI integration. Days 4 and 5 cover WinCC SCADA, including alarms, trending and a project review.
Alongside the class you get 68 self-paced Basic Engineering modules, covering electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, pneumatics and hydraulics, control systems, robotics, industrial communications, maintenance and safety. We provide a TIA Portal and PLCSIM install guide and Factory I/O for practice. The CPD certificate (80 credits, with The CPD Group) is issued when you have attended the class, completed Basic Engineering, passed the final theory assessment and completed your resume session.
The limits are plain. It is Siemens-focused, not Allen-Bradley or Mitsubishi. It is online, not on a physical rig. The certificate states TIA Portal V17. CPD is not a regulated qualification. For a fuller market view, see our complete PLC training guide.
How EDWartens can help
If you are not sure which format suits you, start free: the lab simulators and free courses show you quickly whether you enjoy the work. When you want structure and feedback, the Professional Module is £2,140 + VAT = £2,568, and a £100 deposit reserves a seat, with the balance due before the course starts. Create an account at signup, confirm your email, then choose a batch and pay at /enrol/professional. There is no job guarantee.
