PLC & SCADA Training for Bologna Professionals
CPD Accredited Industrial Automation Training for Bologna Professionals
Live online sessions from Bologna, Italy | In-person available in Milton Keynes, UK
Industrial Automation in Bologna
Bologna sits in the heart of Emilia-Romagna's Packaging Valley, the world's leading cluster for automatic packaging machinery. Companies like IMA, Marchesini, and SACMI produce sophisticated machines controlled by advanced PLC systems for global pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries. The Motor Valley (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati) nearby adds automotive automation to the mix. EDWartens provides CPD accredited online PLC training from our UK centre, directly relevant to Bologna's packaging and automotive automation sectors.
Key Industries in Bologna
Major Employers
Also Serving
Modena · Reggio Emilia · Imola · Faenza · Casalecchio · San Lazzaro
The Automation Landscape in Bologna
Bologna sits in the heart of Packaging Valley, the world's leading cluster for automatic packaging machinery. IMA Group — the global market leader — designs machines using Rockwell, Beckhoff, and Siemens PLCs that package 30% of the world's pharmaceutical tablets. Marchesini Group produces complete pharma packaging lines, and SACMI builds ceramic and beverage-cap machinery, all PLC-controlled. Nearby Motor Valley adds automotive automation: Ducati's Borgo Panigale factory assembles motorcycles with robotic welding, while Datalogic in Lippo di Calderara develops barcode readers and vision systems used in automated logistics worldwide. GD (Coesia Group) builds tobacco and tissue-packaging machines.
Did You Know?
IMA Group, headquartered in Bologna, builds packaging machines that produce, fill, and seal over 50 billion pharmaceutical capsules per year worldwide — each machine's PLC controlling up to 30 servo axes synchronised to within 10 microseconds.
Career Outlook in Bologna
Bologna automation engineers earn €32,000–€48,000, with packaging machinery OEMs (IMA, Marchesini) and Motor Valley employers (Ducati, Ferrari) at the top. The packaging machinery sector is export-driven, offering engineers international commissioning travel opportunities. A UK CPD-accredited qualification is valued by these globally operating companies, where English is the language of export engineering.
Real Automation Projects in Bologna
The skills you learn with EDWartens are directly applicable to these types of projects happening in and around Bologna.
IMA Bologna pharmaceutical blister-packaging machine with Rockwell ControlLogix controlling 30 synchronised servo axes
Marchesini Group Pianoro automated pharma cartoning line with Beckhoff TwinCAT PLC and high-speed vision inspection
Ducati Borgo Panigale motorcycle frame welding cell with ABB robots and Siemens S7-1500 PLC coordination
SACMI Imola ceramic tile press automation with PLC-controlled hydraulic pressing at 7,000 tonnes force
Our Courses
Training Programmes for Bologna Professionals
Professional Module
PLC, SCADA, HMI & FactoryIO
- Duration: 5 Working Days + Online Recorded Sessions
- Language: English
- Delivery: 100% Live Online — join from Bologna
- Covers: Siemens TIA Portal, SCADA, HMI, FactoryIO
- Certificate: CPD Accredited
AI 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 Bologna
The industrial automation sector in Bolognais growing rapidly. Here's why PLC and SCADA skills are in high demand.
€40k – €85k
Average automation engineer salary range in Italy
Career Roles Available in Bologna
Bologna Industry Demand
The Packaging Machinery, Automotive (Motor Valley), Ceramics Machinery sectors in Bologna are actively investing in automation. Companies like IMA Group, Marchesini Group, SACMI regularly recruit PLC and SCADA engineers.
Average salaries for automation engineers in Italy range from €40,000 to €75,000, with senior roles commanding €80,000+.
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. Join from Bologna — no travel required.
UK-PROF-W13-2026
UK-PROF-W14-2026
UK-AI-W14-2026
Why EDWartens
Why Bologna 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 IMA Group and Marchesini Group.
Online Access
Join live online sessions from Bologna. In-person training available at our Milton Keynes, UK centre.
Online Training Available from Bologna
Join our live sessions from Bologna, Italy. All course materials, lab simulations via FactoryIO, and instructor interaction are available online. In-person training is also available at our Milton Keynes, UK centre for those who prefer hands-on equipment access.
Enquire About Online TrainingInternational Students
Training from Italy — How It Works
Joining from Bolognais simple. Here's the step-by-step process for international students.
Enquire & Book
Enquire & book your spot online
Get Materials
Receive course materials and software access
Join Live Sessions
Join live online sessions from Bologna (Mon–Fri, UK time)
Hands-on Projects
Complete hands-on projects with instructor guidance
Get Certified
Receive CPD certificate and career support
Payment: in GBP via bank transfer or card (approx €2,499)
Frequently Asked Questions
PLC Training in Bologna — FAQs
Can I take PLC training from Bologna?
Yes — EDWartens provides live online PLC and SCADA courses accessible from Bologna. Our training covers the PLC programming fundamentals used across Packaging Valley's machine builders. In-person training at our Milton Keynes centre is available via direct flights from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport.
What PLC skills are needed in Bologna's packaging machinery sector?
Packaging Valley machine builders need engineers skilled in multi-axis servo motion control, Allen-Bradley/Beckhoff/Siemens PLC programming, vision system integration, and IEC 61131-3 structured text. Our courses provide the PLC programming foundations on which these specialised skills are built.
What are packaging automation salaries in Bologna?
Bologna packaging automation engineers earn €32,000–€48,000. Machine OEMs like IMA and Marchesini offer international travel opportunities for commissioning and service, which often include per-diem allowances. Motor Valley employers (Ducati, Lamborghini) offer comparable salaries with significant prestige value.
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Enquire About Training from Bologna
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