PLC & SCADA Training in Southampton
CPD Accredited Industrial Automation Training for Southampton Professionals
In-person at our Milton Keynes centre or live online from Southampton
Industrial Automation in Southampton
Southampton and the Solent region combine a world-class port with significant automotive and petrochemical operations. The Fawley refinery complex, one of the UK's largest, requires extensive process control systems, while the marine engineering cluster around the port and the automotive operations along the M27 corridor all depend on PLC-qualified engineers. The University of Southampton's engineering faculty and the Solent LEP's focus on advanced manufacturing further support local demand for automation skills.
Key Industries in Southampton
Major Employers
Also Serving
Portsmouth · Eastleigh · Winchester · Fareham · Romsey · Totton
The Automation Landscape in Southampton
Southampton's automation landscape is shaped by the massive ExxonMobil Fawley refinery complex, the UK's largest oil refinery, which uses thousands of PLCs and DCS controllers to manage refining processes across its 3,250-acre site. The Port of Southampton, Britain's second busiest container port, employs automated crane systems and SCADA-controlled logistics. GE Aviation's Hamble facility manufactures aircraft engine components with PLC-controlled machining centres, while the marine engineering cluster around the Itchen and Test rivers services everything from Royal Navy warships to superyachts. Carnival UK's cruise ship operations also require extensive building management and SCADA systems.
Did You Know?
ExxonMobil's Fawley refinery processes 270,000 barrels of crude oil per day using over 2,000 PLC and DCS controllers, making it one of the most instrumented industrial sites in the UK with over 100,000 monitored control points.
Career Outlook in Southampton
Southampton-area automation engineers earn £33,000-£52,000, with refinery process control roles at ExxonMobil Fawley commanding premium rates due to the hazardous environment and shift work requirements. The Solent LEP's maritime and advanced manufacturing investment programme is creating new automation roles. Engineers with ATEX/hazardous area experience alongside PLC skills are particularly valued in the petrochemical corridor stretching along Southampton Water.
Real Automation Projects in Southampton
The skills you learn with EDWartens are directly applicable to these types of projects happening in and around Southampton.
ExxonMobil Fawley refinery DCS/PLC safety instrumented system upgrade project
Port of Southampton container terminal automated crane SCADA integration
GE Aviation Hamble aerospace component CNC cell PLC coordination system
Carnival UK cruise terminal baggage handling and building management automation
Our Courses
Training Programmes for Southampton 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 Southampton
The industrial automation sector in Southamptonis 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 Southampton
Southampton Industry Demand
The Maritime & Port Operations, Petrochemical, Automotive sectors in Southampton are actively investing in automation. Companies like ExxonMobil Fawley, Associated British Ports, GE Aviation 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 Southampton 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 ExxonMobil Fawley and Associated British Ports.
Flexible Delivery
Attend in-person at our Milton Keynes centre or join live online sessions from Southampton.
Getting to Our Training Centre from Southampton
Our training centre is located in Milton Keynes, easily accessible from Southamptonby 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 Southampton — FAQs
Is PLC training available in Southampton?
Yes — EDWartens offers CPD accredited PLC training accessible from Southampton. Our Milton Keynes centre is 1.5 hours by train from Southampton Central, or you can join live online sessions. The course covers Siemens TIA Portal, SCADA, HMI, and FactoryIO.
What PLC jobs are available in Southampton?
Southampton offers PLC engineering roles in petrochemical (ExxonMobil Fawley), port operations (ABP), aerospace (GE Aviation), marine engineering, and defence (BAE Systems at nearby Gosport). Salaries range from £33,000 for entry-level to £52,000+ for senior process control engineers.
Do I need hazardous area experience for Southampton PLC roles?
Not all roles require it, but ATEX and hazardous area certification combined with PLC skills significantly increases your employability in the Fawley refinery corridor. Our PLC training provides a strong foundation, and many Southampton engineers subsequently gain CompEx certification to specialise in petrochemical process control.
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