Electrical Industry Update: Automation Trends, AI Resilience, and Expanding Career Horizons
Last Updated: 2026-05-29T05:17:40.290-04:00
In Westerly, Rhode Island, the Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology class took a field trip to ProSystems Integration, a local automation company. The visit, organized by Chariho alumnus and ProSystems engineer Jesse Brunelle, aimed to expose students to career opportunities in industrial automation. Students toured the facility, observing the manufacturing of equipment for various industries, including medical tubing, and learned about the design and function of different systems. The visit highlighted the evolving nature of the electrical industry and the growing importance of automation and computer skills.
Meanwhile, a recent report from the construction scheduling platform Planera identifies electricians as one of the professions least likely to be replaced by AI. The report, which analyzed over 55 manual professions, found that electricians have a low automation risk of 14% and are in high demand, with over 80,000 new positions expected nationally by 2026. This demand is driven by aging infrastructure, the expansion of EV charging networks, and the transition to new energy sources. The report ironically notes that even AI data centers, which are driving automation fears, require electricians for their construction and maintenance.
In other industry news, Level Automation, a Swedish company specializing in electrical and automation cabinets, has successfully migrated from the Simatic S7-1200 to the new generation Simatic S7-1200 G2 control system. The migration, which was completed in just two minutes using a new migration tool in the TIA Portal, has made the company's automation cabinets NIS2 ready, meeting the increased cybersecurity requirements of the NIS2 Directive. The new control system is certified according to the IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard and offers several advantages, including increased speed and power, more memory and features, a more compact design, and cost-effective I/O modules.
Finally, Post Electric, a licensed electrical contractor in Southwest Missouri, has expanded its residential services to include home automation and smart technology integration. The expansion is a response to the growing demand from homeowners for modern electrical systems and connected home technologies. The company's enhanced services include whole-home electrical assessments, panel upgrades, dedicated circuit installations, and the integration of smart home devices and systems. The company has also invested in advanced diagnostic equipment and expanded its technical expertise to better serve homeowners in the region.
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