Entry Level PLC Programmers Job - Perception vs Reality

[@Wolf.88]

You’re absolutely correct. When I first got into plant maintenance after tech college most of the technicians were total (bleep)s. Even the facility manager. I learned that although the maintenance technicians were some of the smartest people in the world, they were also the most miserable. They would find ways to mess me up.

[@Letsgoback2thefuture]

Hello my name is Dave I work as a technical recruiter for Flextronics. We have job Vacancies for Automation technicians at Flextronics, Austin TEXAS. send a dm if you have 4years+ experience in the field. Military personnel with PLC technical training are encouraged to apply. Associate Degree in related field is a plus.

[@whoareyou6854]

@potxmanmaintenance is a stressful job and requires a specific type of person to be good at it and it just happens to be that a lot of people that fall into this personality type miserable people not all but a lot.

[@7Denial7]

​@@whoareyou6854 what do u mean? Why must they be miserable? Can u elaborate on that?

[@swagod1843]

When I first started out I didn't realize that I was essentially committing to being a proficient electrician. A lot of the service issues PLC programmers get called for (at least as an integrator) are just straight up electrical troubleshooting which never involve going online with the CPU or making any modifications. I also didn't know I'd have to become a windows super user lol.

[@LogixWorkshops]

Yes, it can be hard to break through the technician phase of this career, but be patient, grow your skills, portfolio and network. And it will happen.

[@grimgoreironhide9985]

Same with BMS.

[@FushigiMigi]

I am an industrial automation technician. I work mechanically, electrically, and can program to a medium level. I have the ability to learn what controls engineers and IT professionals do very quickly and I generally have to make continuous improvements on the machines that they failed to engineer properly. They know this, and will not help me to advance down a different career path so they hoard all the clean work and give me all the dirty work. I’m not saying I’m right and they are wrong, And I personally don’t have an attitude, But this may give you an idea as to why some technicians are assholes.

[@speedbeagle6498]

Don't feel bad. I constantly go back and forth in my feelings towards the engineers i work with as an industrial machine electrician. I want their job, but at the same time I don't want to join their club and have their reputation for unreliability. It's a hard road to go from the guy turning the wrenches to the guy designing the machine. However, I bet that path ends in a more well rounded skill set. Don't give up.

[@LogixWorkshops]

I understand, learn as much as you can and then move on to a better team or lead a team yourself.

[@LogixWorkshops]

Your correct, wrench turners (mechanics) can make great programmers. IF THEY HAVE SOLID MECHANICAL SKILLS. Are you methodical in assembling, researching and reassembling equipment, Do you put down clean rags, use mineral spirits, wear surgical gloves, lay parts sequentially in order of disassembly, etc. Do you clean your tools, your work space after your done etc. Methodical processes are the hallmark to building solid well structured PLC programs.

[@TheAcfallejoseph]

Had to fix there stuff every time. I feel your pain.

[@hamzaabdo261]

I've just discovered your channel, you are just so accurate and your videos are so practical. Thank you sir

[@LogixWorkshops]

Glad you like them!

[@alinanguyen262]

i work as a industrial electrician apprentice for years, i work with plc , they do electrical, mechanic, and truoble shooting, they make pump, sensor , work, very good and reward career

[@LogixWorkshops]

I agree

[@williamkelly6034]

It's very disenchanting to travel while working, living in a hotel room, being away from your family, having to adapt to all of the undocumented kludges that nobody mentions. Or being chained to a desk, playing beat the clock trying to complete a project. While you're busy designing, some sales pro is selling your project. Then approaches you and requests the addition of another bell or whistle like it's no big deal.

[@LogixWorkshops]

I agree, travel is awesome, sometimes. But there are serious drawbacks, to include living on the road and time away form your family. Stay strong my friend.

[@williamkelly6034]

I've been told that, in this profession, when you "travel", the only sightseeing that you get to experience is looking out of the airplane's window when aariving/departing.

[@FinnProp]

@@williamkelly6034 I traveled for work for about 4 years. In many cities the only thing I’ve seen is a hotel and the factory/power plant. I know some roads better than my hometown.

[@robertb8334]

This is because most do not know how to take advantage of all the benefits there are to traveling on someone else'smoney.

[@minocosta9595]

glad i stumbled upon your video man i will be graduating in like 3 weeks with a masters in control systems and industrual information engineering then maybe go to italy and do just pure masters in control systems idk how good is the market in europe but after i saw your vid ill make sure to keep my expectations realistic you earned a sub

[@hanknomadwayi8388]

I'm at the learning phase of plc and yet I am experiencing 90 percent of what you are saying. I am dealing with personalities and a "you can't tell me sh** " culture. I am finding out that you have to be windows "expert". It does not help that I am the wrong end of my 40's. Man it is interesting and tough.

[@dangarity7791]

I have been in residential HVAC and currently commercial HVAC for the last year and a half, this gives me hope to learn this level of programming and also offer some technical skill for automation of HVAC.

[@AmitsLife]

Niagra N4 for Honeywell platform :)

[@AntWells18]

Thanks, I was about to put in my 2 weeks because my perception wasn't lining up with reality now, I'm going to stay with company thanks a lot.

[@LogixWorkshops]

You got this!

[@alainmilette6460]

Hey, electrician transitionning to automation here, went back to college and actually about to graduate (after internship). Yours is the most useful to me at this stage in my transition. Thanks!

[@LogixWorkshops]

Thanks for sharing!

[@astroelet]

Can I became plc programmer without knowledge of panel wiring????

[@ankit51058]

Awesomely described.

[@LogixWorkshops]

Glad you liked it!

[@nilton61]

One large problem that recurred om many jobs is a lack of documentation and also managers lack of understanding for the importance resulting in cementing the problem

[@LogixWorkshops]

I agree

[@rakeshkamble50]

Hello Paul! Very nice information, thanks!

[@LogixWorkshops]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jackkorovev5217]

All this stuff has one responsible: management. Bad management is a curse for modern businesses.

[@user-ye9zu9uw1m]

of course Entry level pay scale is low but after building career like 5 years, the perception is true

[@ivangutowski]

Thank you for this insight, I was thinking about going into this industry.. good to know the potential pitfalls

[@LogixWorkshops]

Glad to help.

[@Letsgoback2thefuture]

Hello my name is Dave I work as a technical recruiter for Flextronics. We have job Vacancies for Automation technicians at Flextronics, Austin TEXAS. send a dm if you have 4years+ experience in the field. Military personnel with PLC technical training are encouraged to apply. Associate Degree in related field is a plus.

[@Dcthetruth85]

I have the same condition as you, And I am going to try the program out to see if its for me.

[@claytonlemieux4090]

Been there done that is why I stay away from machine builders that often call, and the pay is over 100 k today in my life I prefer a tear one production company I get asked a lot what is AOL or UDT and my explantion blow all away often told I was the only one that expain to them most say I know it dont go into as I do

[@LogixWorkshops]

Nice, keep up the great work.

[@Letsgoback2thefuture]

Hello my name is Dave I work as a technical recruiter for Flextronics. We have job Vacancies for Automation technicians at Flextronics, Austin TEXAS. send a dm if you have 4years+ experience in the field. Military personnel with PLC technical training are encouraged to apply. Associate Degree in related field is a plus.

[@utahedc447]

Hey man just found your channel and wanted to thank you for the great content. Keep up the great work!

[@LogixWorkshops]

Thanks, will do!

[@bradenwood1612]

I just started a PLC500 online course through university of Houston-Downtown. Every entry level job for PLC I’ve found requires a bachelors degree. Am I overthinking things by worrying that my training is unnecessary?

[@camarojunky4853]

Any training with plc is worth it I worked for years as a plant electrician and got an entry level job as a controls developer 2 years ago for a great company. Speaking of it the company I work for is currently looking for programmers

[@jbd0283]

@@camarojunky4853 how'd you go from electrician to programmer Im an electrician I make panels and do alot of service and work directly with the programmers but I want to get into plc programming

[@camarojunky4853]

I actually started as an industrial maintenance mechanic worked for 5 years then went to industrial electrician for 2 years and then went to Automation Controls Specialist for 7 years then interviewed with Interstates for a control systems developer. They hire based more on your attitude and drive than actual programming experience

[@bradenwood1612]

@@camarojunky4853 I’ve applied to so many entry level jobs and received rejection emails from every one of them. Granted I haven’t finished my certification yet, but it’s sort of difficult to get a grasp on this subject with no practical experience. I can read about it all day but I feel like if I were actually DOING these processes the material would make more sense. In other words, I’m worried that holding a certificate will get me hired but my lack of know-how will be extremely apparent

[@camarojunky4853]

@@bradenwood1612 believe it or not, it took me 15 years to get where I’m at. I worked at Walmart then left there and worked as an industrial maintenance mechanic then from there worked as an industrial electrician then worked on cranes then worked as an automation controls specialist (“aka person to do all the work except automation”) then worked for Bobst as a field service tech then went to Marel to work on machines that would kill chickens with CO2 then finally got my job where I’m at right now which I love. Don’t get discouraged, I had so many people tell me I would never be a programmer.

[@codyeakinsbradley]

My only reason for looking into PLC tech, was because my company only has one that they consider "proficient". I've always had a love of electronics tear downs and troubleshooting so I tried to strike up a convo on computer parts. It turned out that I was the smartest dumb guy in the room. And I'm just a machine operator.

[@LogixWorkshops]

Awesome, you have more value than you may be aware of. And your ability to grow in this field is higher than you may be aware of as well. Does your machine have a PLC in it? If it does start learning about your machine right now. Try to get a copy of the program and begin reverse engineering it. Start learning it NOW!

[@codyeakinsbradley]

@@LogixWorkshops We're a soft drink manufacturer. I know that everything down to the label machines are on the same system. The only thing I can truly do as far as communications is turn off whatever section of the line I need to, diagonostics to see which photo eye or motor is having issues, and VFD faults that the machines don't have codes for. Our machines are Krones, West Rock and KHS so they have proprietary systems that can't communicate with each other, However, as far as the main plant system, we use Allen Bradley and I forget the other ones. They're mainly only for batching and QA anyway. Every once in a while the PLC operations manager flies in to make sure our PLC guy is on the up and up as well as look for anything that might be off kilter. For instance maintenance changed a module on my West Rock (case former) machine and the PLC tech still can't find out why nothing is communicating correctly. But the PLC Operations manager showed me how he controls it on his laptop, which is a system I have seen before. From what I gather it's just the pixel form of tracing a PCB and setting circuits. And the symbols on the program I've seen before on electronic schematics and music software (envolopes and saw/sines). I was having an issue on my machine where the palletizer would go down and the operator would not tell me over the radio so I can shut down my end. The result of such would be cases backing up on the line and I would have to un jam them once the line cleared on his end. What he showed me, was him moving the circuit up or down the timeline while the palletizer was told to shut off his machine, until he found the sweet spot that allowed my machine to shut off far before the belts on the mezzanine would back up. He of course went through the timeline and shifted more values that kept the belts in line with the rest. My mother used to work for Motorola and she was a PCB builder, and showed me how to solder. Which I need to re-learn for my keyboard and controller tinkering. But I've always been a troubleshooter just never knew there were outlets til it was too late. I'm from a single parent household so her goal was "go to college". Wish she would of let me go to the trades

[@user-xw4vg1vy5e]

You must work at refresco?

[@parsaghanooni9132]

Thanks for the heads up

[@LogixWorkshops]

You bet

[@user-to5pk7ct1w]

I’m applying for an electronics technician apprenticeship with Goodyear. Can anyone reading this tell me what to expect? I would like to have a clearer picture before I start.

[@Padredimitry]

Thank you!

[@LogixWorkshops]

You're welcome!

[@CentrodaAutomacao4.0-js6xy]

Good, i liked your video

[@LogixWorkshops]

Thanks for liking

[@steve5nash]

I'm scared what I spent years learning will become obsolete

[@natemarx8285]

New to the industry and have never thought about this..

[@LogixWorkshops]

Please STOP, its not obsolete. You have learned about hardware, and software integration. Things like project management, debugging, and so much more. You are the most skilled professional in the world, and are worth so much in the market.

[@joyalgeorge5651]

Great insights

[@LogixWorkshops]

Thank you!

[@allanrodriguez1308]

Thank you sir!

[@LogixWorkshops]

You are welcome!

[@dennisdistant]

The day to day reality you describe doesn't really sound that bad to me.

[@LogixWorkshops]

Its not a bad day compared to some jobs for sure, thanks for the comment.

[@swagod1843]

Day to day as a PLC programmer is awesome in my opinion.

[@Donna_g6198]

Is it easy to get on the job training in this field after you graduate community college? Or are you expected to just hop into work and be good?

[@LogixWorkshops]

Training is sparse and no where near adequate unfortunately. You need a mentor after school.

[@steve5nash]

I'm now depressed

[@DaCrunkwizard]

Real Talk

[@LogixWorkshops]

Thanks

[@yakikadafi6189]

The sad part is when u get a good training in PLC programming and u don’t get a job me personally I offered some companies PLC programming position without salary up to 6 months they didn’t accept me what am I supposed to do now? I live in Saudi. Any tips guys I’m depressed

[@LogixWorkshops]

PERSISTENCE, I know it's hard, but that is the only answer for you right now. Keep at it and DO NOT QUIT!

[@lordfreedom001]

Hello, I work in switchgear manufacturing and I am interested in industrial automation. I enjoy having the opportunity to participate in commissioning machines, and I would like to get more familiar with the software side of things to expand my skills. However, I can't seem to decide whether it would be better to work as a maintenance worker, where I would also get to work with PLC software and make some modifications, or try a different position. At home, I only have a Siemens logo, which is just a modest introduction to "PLC". What would be the best course of action? Thanks

[@user-to5pk7ct1w]

Did you find a solution?

[@ghostghost7520]

How can one try and learn there process when they don’t want to teach you. I’ve been through that as an aircraft mechanic an it was a nightmare. Would Joining those online seminars help me learn my job.

[@LogixWorkshops]

You can learn online, and there are many good instructors.

[@colinryanhendricks1061]

I have no experience, what is the best way to get work?is there a certificate or program?

[@LogixWorkshops]

Go to www.myplctraining.com

[@Letsgoback2thefuture]

Hello my name is Dave I work as a technical recruiter for Flextronics. We have job Vacancies for Automation technicians at Flextronics, Austin TEXAS. send a dm if you have 4years+ experience in the field. Military personnel with PLC technical training are encouraged to apply. Associate Degree in related field is a plus.

[@sheronjohn9953]

👏👏👏👏

[@LogixWorkshops]

Thanks Sheron!

[@steve5nash]

Seems like PLC is like digging your own dead end path.

[@LogixWorkshops]

Not in the least, we have new technology and hardware every year. As well as multiple programming languages to master as well.

[@fabianmedina9966]

Is there a good online training

[@LogixWorkshops]

My PLC Training.com

[@aaronflores5659]

You're blinking scares me

[@LogixWorkshops]

Got a nervous tick with my eyes. I've had it my whole life, sorry it scares you, doesn't bother me a bit. Lol.

[@williammuya7558]

Rude comment, you should have kept that to yourself

[@EOTG_AK]

​@@LogixWorkshops I have the same issue, awesome to see you putting yourself out there! This guy is probably one of those people who look you in the face and mimic your tic like you aren't aware it is happening.

[@jero2385]

Why this comment that has nothing with great information he is offering