PLC & SCADA Training in Belfast
CPD Accredited Industrial Automation Training for Belfast Professionals
In-person at our Milton Keynes centre or live online from Belfast
Industrial Automation in Belfast
Belfast is Northern Ireland's industrial capital, with a globally significant aerospace sector led by Spirit AeroSystems (formerly Bombardier Aerospace) at their massive Sydenham facility producing wings for Airbus. The city's engineering heritage extends through the Titanic Quarter regeneration area, where advanced manufacturing and technology firms are clustering. Harland & Wolff, Caterpillar NI, and a strong network of precision engineering SMEs create sustained demand for PLC and SCADA professionals.
Key Industries in Belfast
Major Employers
Also Serving
Lisburn · Newtownabbey · Bangor · Carrickfergus · Holywood · Dundonald
The Automation Landscape in Belfast
Belfast's automation landscape is dominated by Spirit AeroSystems' massive Sydenham facility (formerly Bombardier Aerospace), which produces advanced composite wings for the Airbus A220 using automated fibre placement machines and PLC-controlled autoclaves. Harland & Wolff, reborn as an energy fabrication yard, is building offshore wind turbine foundations and substations requiring extensive process control. The Titanic Quarter has evolved into a technology and advanced manufacturing hub, while Caterpillar NI's Larne and Springvale plants produce generators and material handling equipment with highly automated assembly lines. Thales Belfast produces missile systems with precision automation.
Did You Know?
Spirit AeroSystems Belfast produces the advanced composite nacelles for the Airbus A220 using the largest autoclave in Ireland, a 30-metre PLC-controlled pressure vessel that cures carbon fibre components at temperatures up to 180°C and pressures of 7 bar.
Career Outlook in Belfast
Belfast automation engineers earn £28,000-£45,000, with aerospace and defence roles at the upper end. While headline salaries are lower than mainland UK, Northern Ireland's significantly lower cost of living means real purchasing power is competitive. The NI Executive's investment in advanced manufacturing through Invest NI means there are frequently funded training opportunities. Engineers with PLC skills who also hold security clearance (SC or DV) are especially sought after by Thales and Spirit AeroSystems.
Real Automation Projects in Belfast
The skills you learn with EDWartens are directly applicable to these types of projects happening in and around Belfast.
Spirit AeroSystems Belfast automated fibre placement machine PLC control and monitoring
Harland & Wolff offshore wind substation fabrication welding automation
Caterpillar NI Larne generator assembly line PLC and SCADA integration
Thales Belfast missile system precision assembly automated test rig programming
Our Courses
Training Programmes for Belfast Professionals
Professional Module
PLC, SCADA, HMI & FactoryIO
- Duration: 5 Working Days + Online Recorded Sessions
- Language: English
- Delivery: Live Online + In-person (Milton Keynes, UK)
- Covers: Siemens TIA Portal, SCADA, HMI, FactoryIO
- Certificate: CPD Accredited
£2,140 + VAT full programme
View full course detailsAI Module
AI in Industrial Automation
- AI & Machine Learning for Automation
- Computer Vision for Quality Inspection
- Predictive Maintenance with AI
- CPD Accredited Certification
What You'll Learn in the Professional Module
A comprehensive 5-day intensive programme with online recorded sessions covering everything from PLC fundamentals to advanced SCADA systems — designed to make you job-ready.
Day 1–2: PLC Fundamentals
- •Siemens S7-1200 & S7-1500 hardware
- •TIA Portal software setup & navigation
- •Ladder Logic & Function Block programming
- •Digital & analog I/O configuration
Day 3: Advanced PLC Programming
- •Structured Text (ST) programming
- •Timer, counter & comparator functions
- •Data handling & memory management
- •Program debugging & testing
Day 4: SCADA & HMI Systems
- •WinCC SCADA configuration
- •HMI screen design & navigation
- •Alarm management & trending
- •Data logging & historical reports
Day 5: Networking & Projects
- •PROFINET & PROFIBUS protocols
- •Ethernet/IP communication
- •PLC-to-PLC data exchange
- •Network troubleshooting techniques
Online: Simulation & Assessment
- •FactoryIO 3D simulation
- •Real-world automation scenarios
- •Conveyor, sorting & batch processes
- •Final capstone project & assessment
Career & Certification
- •CPD Accredited certificate
- •CV building & LinkedIn optimisation
- •Interview preparation & mock interviews
- •Direct introductions to hiring employers
Automation Opportunities in Belfast
The industrial automation sector in Belfastis growing rapidly. Here's why PLC and SCADA skills are in high demand.
£35k – £75k
Average automation engineer salary range in the UK
Career Roles Available in Belfast
Belfast Industry Demand
The Aerospace, Defence, Shipbuilding sectors in Belfast are actively investing in automation. Companies like Spirit AeroSystems, Caterpillar NI, Harland & Wolff regularly recruit PLC and SCADA engineers.
Average salaries for automation engineers in the UK range from £35,000 to £65,000, with senior roles commanding £70,000+.
The UK faces a shortage of over 20,000 automation engineers, making this one of the fastest routes to employment after training.
Technologies Covered
Why Train Now?
Upcoming Batches
Reserve Your Spot
All courses are delivered as live online sessions in English with limited seats per batch for personalised attention. In-person attendance also available at our Milton Keynes training centre.
UK-PROF-W13-2026
UK-PROF-W14-2026
UK-AI-W14-2026
Why EDWartens
Why Belfast Engineers Choose EDWartens
CPD Accredited
Internationally recognised CPD accreditation, valued by UK and European employers.
Hands-on Labs
Real Siemens S7-1200/1500 PLCs, Allen-Bradley, SCADA systems, and FactoryIO simulation.
Career Support
Dedicated placement team connecting graduates with employers like Spirit AeroSystems and Caterpillar NI.
Flexible Delivery
Attend in-person at our Milton Keynes centre or join live online sessions from Belfast.
Getting to Our Training Centre from Belfast
Our training centre is located in Milton Keynes, easily accessible from Belfastby train or car. Milton Keynes Central station has excellent connections to all major UK cities. Can't travel? Join our live online sessions instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
PLC Training in Belfast — FAQs
Is PLC training available in Belfast?
Yes — EDWartens offers CPD accredited PLC training accessible from Belfast. Our live online sessions are especially popular with Northern Ireland engineers, or you can fly to our Milton Keynes centre (1 hour flight to London plus transfer). The course covers Siemens TIA Portal, SCADA, HMI, and FactoryIO.
What PLC jobs are available in Belfast?
Belfast offers PLC engineering roles in aerospace (Spirit AeroSystems), defence (Thales), heavy equipment (Caterpillar NI), shipbuilding (Harland & Wolff), and pharmaceuticals (Almac Group). Salaries range from £28,000 for entry-level to £45,000+ for senior controls engineers.
Can I attend PLC training from Northern Ireland?
Absolutely. Most of our Belfast-area students choose our live online training option, which provides the full CPD accredited curriculum from home. Some also combine this with a trip to our Milton Keynes centre for additional hands-on experience — flights from Belfast City Airport are frequent and affordable.
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Enquire About Training from Belfast
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