Automation Industry Roundup: Student Field Trips, Tech Upgrades, and Rising Demand for Engineers
Last Updated: 2026-05-28T14:20:17.542-04:00
Students from the Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology class took a field trip to ProSystems Integration, a Westerly-based automation company, to learn about career opportunities in industrial automation. The visit was organized by Jesse Brunelle, a Chariho alumnus and engineer at the company, who, along with his father and company president, John Brunelle, aimed to expose students to a side of the electrical industry beyond residential and commercial work. The students toured the facility, observed the manufacturing of equipment for various industries—from medical tubing to systems for major food brands—and spoke with engineers about the design process and daily operations. The visit was intended to show the students the real-world applications of their studies and inspire them to consider careers in the technologically advancing field of industrial automation.
In other news, Level Automation has successfully migrated its automation cabinets from the Simatic S7-1200 to the new generation Simatic S7-1200 G2 control system, a move that makes them NIS2 ready. The migration, which was surprisingly quick and easy, was facilitated by a new migration tool in the TIA Portal. This upgrade is significant as the new G2 family is certified according to the IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard, aligning with the increased requirements of the NIS2 Directive. Additionally, the German electrical engineering manufacturer WAGO has introduced its first Matter-enabled products, aiming to empower electricians in the residential construction sector by providing easier access to automation.
The demand for electrical engineers is on the rise, with major companies like Nvidia, Apple, Tesla, Intel, and Siemens actively hiring. This surge is driven by advancements in AI, electrification, and automation, which necessitate the development of more efficient chips and power systems. For instance, AI data centers require powerful yet energy-efficient hardware, electric vehicles depend on advanced battery and motor-control systems, and industrial automation is reaching unprecedented levels.
Finally, Post Electric, a licensed electrical contractor in Southwest Missouri, has expanded its services to include home automation and smart technology integration. This expansion is a response to the growing demand from homeowners to modernize their electrical systems, especially in older homes that are not equipped to handle modern appliances, electric vehicle charging stations, and other smart technologies.
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