PLC & SCADA Training in Plymouth
CPD Accredited Industrial Automation Training for Plymouth Professionals
In-person at our Milton Keynes centre or live online from Plymouth
Industrial Automation in Plymouth
Plymouth's economy is underpinned by its Royal Navy connections and a thriving defence and marine engineering sector. HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, and Babcock International's dockyard operations create continuous demand for engineers skilled in industrial control systems. Princess Yachts, one of Europe's largest luxury yacht manufacturers, operates highly automated production facilities in the city. The South Yard enterprise zone and Plymouth Science Park further diversify the city's advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Key Industries in Plymouth
Major Employers
Also Serving
Saltash · Ivybridge · Tavistock · Torpoint · Plympton · Plymstock
The Automation Landscape in Plymouth
Plymouth's automation landscape centres on its defence and marine engineering heritage. HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, is managed by Babcock International, whose dockyard operations involve PLC-controlled crane systems, nuclear submarine refuelling equipment, and automated testing facilities. Princess Yachts manufactures luxury motor yachts at their Lee Mill and South Yard facilities, using PLC-controlled CNC routers, resin infusion systems, and automated material handling. Schneider Electric's Plymouth site produces electrical distribution equipment on automated assembly lines. The Plymouth Science Park and Oceansgate enterprise zone at South Yard are fostering marine technology startups that increasingly require automation expertise.
Did You Know?
Babcock's Devonport dockyard uses PLC-controlled robotic systems to handle nuclear fuel assemblies during submarine refuelling operations — one of the most safety-critical automation applications in the UK, requiring SIL 3 rated control systems.
Career Outlook in Plymouth
Plymouth automation engineers earn £30,000-£48,000, with Babcock and defence roles at the upper end, especially for engineers holding security clearance. The South West's geographic isolation from major industrial centres means local PLC engineers face less competition than in the Midlands or North West. The Royal Navy's fleet maintenance programme provides a 25-year pipeline of work at Devonport, offering exceptional long-term career stability for automation professionals.
Real Automation Projects in Plymouth
The skills you learn with EDWartens are directly applicable to these types of projects happening in and around Plymouth.
Babcock Devonport nuclear submarine refuelling equipment PLC control system upgrade
Princess Yachts CNC routing and resin infusion automated production cell
Schneider Electric Plymouth electrical panel automated assembly line commissioning
Oceansgate marine technology testing facility SCADA and data acquisition system
Our Courses
Training Programmes for Plymouth 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 Plymouth
The industrial automation sector in Plymouthis 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 Plymouth
Plymouth Industry Demand
The Defence, Marine Engineering, Shipbuilding sectors in Plymouth are actively investing in automation. Companies like Babcock International, Princess Yachts, Thales 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 Plymouth 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 Babcock International and Princess Yachts.
Flexible Delivery
Attend in-person at our Milton Keynes centre or join live online sessions from Plymouth.
Getting to Our Training Centre from Plymouth
Our training centre is located in Milton Keynes, easily accessible from Plymouthby 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 Plymouth — FAQs
Is PLC training available in Plymouth?
Yes — EDWartens offers CPD accredited PLC training accessible from Plymouth. Our live online sessions are popular with South West engineers given the distance to our Milton Keynes centre (3.5 hours by train). The course covers Siemens TIA Portal, SCADA, HMI, and FactoryIO.
What PLC jobs are available in Plymouth?
Plymouth offers PLC engineering roles in naval defence (Babcock International), luxury yacht manufacturing (Princess Yachts), electrical equipment (Schneider Electric), and marine technology. Salaries range from £30,000 for entry-level to £48,000+ for senior controls engineers with security clearance.
Do I need security clearance for PLC roles in Plymouth?
Not all roles require it, but many Babcock and MoD-related positions at Devonport do require SC or DV clearance. Having PLC skills combined with security clearance significantly narrows the candidate pool and increases your earning potential. Our training provides the technical foundation you need before pursuing clearance-eligible positions.
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Enquire About Training from Plymouth
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