PLC & SCADA Training in Sunderland
CPD Accredited Industrial Automation Training for Sunderland Professionals
In-person at our Milton Keynes centre or live online from Sunderland
Industrial Automation in Sunderland
Sunderland is home to the Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK plant, one of Europe's most productive car factories producing over 300,000 vehicles annually. The plant's extensive use of robotics and PLCs, combined with the IAMP (International Advanced Manufacturing Park) being developed next door, makes Sunderland a critical hub for automotive automation professionals. The Nissan supply chain, including Envision AESC's gigafactory for EV batteries, creates a thriving ecosystem where PLC and SCADA skills command premium salaries.
Key Industries in Sunderland
Major Employers
Also Serving
Washington · South Shields · Durham · Gateshead · Seaham · Houghton-le-Spring
The Automation Landscape in Sunderland
Sunderland's automation landscape is transforming rapidly with the creation of the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) adjacent to the Nissan plant. The Nissan factory itself is one of Europe's most robotically advanced car plants, with over 500 robots in its body shop producing Qashqai, Juke, and the all-electric Leaf models. Envision AESC's gigafactory next door produces lithium-ion battery cells on PLC-controlled electrode coating, cell assembly, and formation lines operating in controlled-environment cleanrooms. The wider Sunderland Enterprise Park and Pattinson industrial estate house tier-one automotive suppliers whose production lines mirror the automation intensity of the main Nissan plant.
Did You Know?
The Nissan Sunderland plant can produce a complete Qashqai every 62 seconds, with its body shop using over 500 FANUC robots coordinated through Allen-Bradley PLCs to perform 4,500 spot welds per vehicle body.
Career Outlook in Sunderland
Sunderland automation engineers earn £30,000-£48,000, with Nissan and Envision AESC paying at the upper end, often with production bonuses. The IAMP development is projected to create 7,000 advanced manufacturing jobs, many requiring PLC and robotics skills. Engineers who gain battery manufacturing automation experience now will be positioned for the UK's fastest-growing industrial sector, as multiple gigafactory projects are planned across the North East.
Real Automation Projects in Sunderland
The skills you learn with EDWartens are directly applicable to these types of projects happening in and around Sunderland.
Nissan Sunderland new model body shop robotic welding cell PLC commissioning
Envision AESC gigafactory battery cell formation and testing line automation
IAMP new manufacturing facility turnkey PLC and SCADA installation
Liebherr Sunderland crane hydraulic test rig automated control system
Our Courses
Training Programmes for Sunderland 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 Sunderland
The industrial automation sector in Sunderlandis 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 Sunderland
Sunderland Industry Demand
The Automotive, EV Battery Manufacturing, Software sectors in Sunderland are actively investing in automation. Companies like Nissan, Envision AESC, Calsonic Kansei 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 Sunderland 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 Nissan and Envision AESC.
Flexible Delivery
Attend in-person at our Milton Keynes centre or join live online sessions from Sunderland.
Getting to Our Training Centre from Sunderland
Our training centre is located in Milton Keynes, easily accessible from Sunderlandby 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 Sunderland — FAQs
Is PLC training available in Sunderland?
Yes — EDWartens offers CPD accredited PLC training accessible from Sunderland. Our live online sessions are popular with North East engineers, or you can attend in-person at our Milton Keynes centre. The course covers Siemens TIA Portal, SCADA, HMI, and FactoryIO — all relevant to Sunderland's automotive sector.
What PLC jobs are available in Sunderland?
Sunderland has strong demand for PLC engineers at the Nissan plant, Envision AESC gigafactory, IAMP manufacturing park, and across the automotive supply chain. Salaries range from £30,000 for entry-level to £48,000+ for senior controls engineers, with Nissan shift premiums on top.
Is the automotive sector in Sunderland growing?
Yes — Nissan has committed over £1 billion to its EV36Zero hub in Sunderland, including new electric vehicle production and the Envision AESC gigafactory expansion. The IAMP development will create thousands more manufacturing jobs, making Sunderland one of the UK's top locations for automotive automation careers.
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