List of PLC Training Resources

PLC programming is a skilled profession, and obtaining the necessary education and training is the first step to becoming a PLC programmer. This article will provide you with a list of PLC education courses and schools that can help you get started.

1. Community Colleges and Vocational Schools

Community colleges and vocational schools are a great place to start your PLC education. Many of these schools offer certificate and associate degree programs in PLC programming and industrial automation. These programs typically include hands on training on real world equipment, as well as classroom instruction in PLC programming languages and electrical engineering concepts. Just do a search locally and see what you can find.

2. Intro Online PLC Training Programs

Online PLC training programs provide a flexible option for those who wish to learn PLC programming from home. Many of these programs offer self-paced, interactive instruction in PLC programming languages and electrical engineering concepts. Some popular online PLC training providers include PLC Academy, PLC Training, and PLC4Training.

See below for a quick list of intro online PLC Training Programs

1. PLC Programming from Scratch (Udemy) https://www.udemy.com/topic/plc-programming/
2. PLC Programming and Industrial Automation (edX) https://www.edx.org/learn/plc-programming
3. PLC Programming with Ladder Logic (Coursera) https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=plc+programming
4. PLC Programming Basics (Lynda/LinkedIn Learning) https://www.lynda.com/PLC-Programming-tutorials/PLC-Programming-Basics/690637-2.html
5. PLC Programming and Control Systems (Udemy) https://www.udemy.com/topic/plc-programming/
6. Certificate program that provides a complete technical education in PLCs, giving you practical knowledge and skills you can take to work and apply right away. https://www.plctechnician.com/
7. PLC Academy https://www.plcacademy.com/ is a website that offers free PLC training resources, including video tutorials, articles, and sample programs. The website is designed to help users of all levels, from beginners to advanced programmers, to learn PLC programming and improve their skills.

3. PLC Manufacturer Training

Many PLC manufacturers, such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and Omron, offer training programs that provide in-depth instruction on their specific products. These programs are often held at the manufacturer's facilities and can include hands-on training with real-world equipment.

1. Allen-Bradley PLC Training (Rockwell Automation) https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en/services/training/plc-training.html
2. Siemens PLC Training (Siemens) https://www.siemens.com/us/en/home/services/training/plc-training.html
3. Omron PLC Training (Omron) https://www.omron.com/solutions/plc-training
4. Schneider Electric PLC Training (Schneider Electric) https://www.schneider-electric.com/en/services/training/plc-training.jsp
5. Mitsubishi Electric PLC Training (Mitsubishi Electric) https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/en/services/training/plc-training

4. Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a great way to gain hands-on experience while you learn. Many companies in the industrial automation industry offer apprenticeships in PLC programming. These programs typically involve on-the-job training, as well as classroom instruction.

5. Industry Certifications

Industry certifications demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in specific PLC products or programming languages. Many PLC manufacturers offer certification programs, and earning these certifications can demonstrate your qualifications to potential employers and open up new job opportunities.

Below is a list of some certifications you can get

1. Allen-Bradley Certified Control Systems Technician (Rockwell Automation) https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en/services/certification/certified-control-systems-technician.html
2. Siemens Certified Automation Engineer (Siemens) https://www.siemens.com/global/en/home/services/training/certification/automation-engineer.html
3. Omron Certified Automation Professional (Omron) https://www.omron.com/solutions/plc-training
4. Schneider Electric PLC Programming Certifications (Schneider Electric) https://www.schneider-electric.com/en/services/training/certification/plc-programming-certification.jsp
5. Mitsubishi Electric PLC Programming Certifications (Mitsubishi Electric) https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/en/services/training/plc-training
6. International Society of Automation (ISA) - Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) https://www.isa.org/certification/ccst/
7. International Society of Automation (ISA) - Certified Automation Professional (CAP) https://www.isa.org/certification/cap/

6. Universities

Universities and colleges also offer PLC courses and degree programs. Some of the universities that offer PLC courses include Purdue University, Texas A&M University, and the University of California, Berkeley.

7.     7.  Free Resources

Below is just a few free resources that offer content on PLCs. 

1. PLC Academy (plcacademy.com) - PLC Academy offers a variety of free tutorials and resources for learning PLC programming, including video tutorials, articles, and sample programs. https://plcacademy.com/
2. PLCdev (plcdev.com) - PLCdev offers a wide range of free PLC programming resources, including tutorials, articles, and sample programs. http://plcdev.com/
3. PLC Programming Tips (plcprogrammingtips.com) - PLC Programming Tips offers a variety of free tutorials and resources for learning PLC programming, including video tutorials, articles, and sample programs. https://plcprogrammingtips.com/
4. Automation-Insights (automation-insights.com) - Automation-Insights offers a variety of free tutorials and resources for learning PLC programming, including video tutorials, articles, and sample programs. https://automation-insights.com/
5. PLC Programming Examples (plc-programming-examples.com) - PLC Programming Examples offers a variety of free tutorials and resources for learning PLC programming, including video tutorials, articles, and sample programs. https://plc-programming-examples.com/
6. Automationdirect.com is a website that offers free PLC training resources. They provide great free tutorials, videos and technical articles that can help you learn PLC programming and improve your skills.  https://www.automationdirect.com/programmable-logic-controllers/plc-training

Whether you are looking to start a new career or advance in your current one, PLC education and training can open up many opportunities in the field of industrial automation.