Chariho Students Explore Automation Careers Amid Growing Demand for Electricians
Last Updated: 2026-05-29T02:01:31.319-04:00
WESTERLY, R.I. – Students from the Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology program recently visited ProSystems Integration, a local automation company, to gain insights into career opportunities within the industrial automation sector. The visit, organized by Chariho alumnus and ProSystems engineer Jesse Brunelle, aimed to expose students to a side of the electrical industry that is not often highlighted in their curriculum.
During the tour of the Tom Harvey Road facility, students were shown various pieces of equipment and machinery, some of which are used to manufacture medical tubing for hospitals, while others are integral to the automated systems of major companies like Hershey Chocolate and Krispy Kreme. The company has also developed control systems for local infrastructure, such as the Mystic River Bascule Bridge.
Jesse Brunelle, who graduated from the Chariho program two years ago, noted that the curriculum traditionally focuses on residential and commercial electrical work. He wanted to broaden the students' perspectives by showcasing the vast career possibilities in industrial automation. "I’m trying to do is expose this whole world of the electrical industry to students who don’t get to see this side of things," he said. "There’s plenty of career opportunities in this industry as well that aren’t seen too often.”
John Brunelle, president and owner of ProSystems Integration, emphasized the rapidly evolving nature of the industry. "The technology is continuously changing... the controls... change every three to five years,” he said. “Technology-wise, the opportunities in the industry are huge. Everybody wants to hire young talent because they know how to use computers and tablets.”
Ryan Northup, the instructor for the Electrical Technology class, who has over two decades of experience in the electrical field, highlighted the importance of such real-world experiences. "It gives them some foreground of what we’re doing in class and a perfect real-world application," Northup said. "The other aspect is the inspiration, because something like this may inspire a particular student that will say, ‘Hey, that was really cool, I want to start getting into that.’”
This field trip is part of a broader effort to inform students about the diverse career paths available to them. A recent report from the construction scheduling platform Planera underscores the security of skilled trades like electricians in an era of increasing automation. The report, which analyzed over 55 manual professions, found that electricians have a low automation risk of just 14%, coupled with high demand. This is particularly significant as the need for electricians is projected to grow, with over 80,000 new positions expected nationally by 2026, driven by an aging infrastructure, the expansion of EV charging networks, and the transition to new energy sources. The report notes the irony that AI data centers, a key driver of automation, require electricians for their construction and maintenance, making the profession "as future-proof as a job can get.”
In other industry news, Level Automation, a Swedish company specializing in electrical and automation cabinets, has successfully migrated its systems to the new Simatic S7-1200 G2 control system from Siemens. The upgrade, which was completed in just two minutes using a new migration tool, ensures that the company's products are ready for the new NIS2 cybersecurity directive. This directive imposes stricter cybersecurity requirements on socially important activities, including the water and wastewater industry, which is a primary market for Level Automation.
The new Simatic S7-1200 G2 family is certified according to the IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard, providing a higher level of security. The system is also more powerful, compact, and in some configurations, more cost-effective than its predecessor. The successful and swift migration at Level Automation highlights the advancements in automation technology that are making it easier for companies to stay current with the latest standards and security measures.
The demand for skilled electrical engineers is also being felt across major technology and industrial companies. A recent report highlighted that companies such as Nvidia, Apple, Tesla, Intel, and Siemens are actively hiring electrical engineers to develop and manage the power systems behind technologies like AI, electric vehicles, and industrial automation. The median annual salary for electrical engineers is approximately $118,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflecting the high demand for their expertise.
In the residential sector, Post Electric, a licensed electrical contractor in Southwest Missouri, has expanded its services to include home automation and smart technology integration. The company has seen a surge in requests for electrical upgrades and smart home installations, particularly in homes built before 1990. The expanded services include whole-home electrical assessments, panel upgrades, and the installation of smart lighting, programmable thermostats, and security systems. This move reflects a growing trend among homeowners to modernize their electrical systems to support an increasing number of connected devices and high-demand appliances.
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