Electricians and Automation: Field Trips, Upgrades, and Growing Demand
Last Updated: 2026-05-28T18:31:46.225-04:00
Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology class took a field trip to ProSystems Integration, a Westerly-based automation company, to explore career opportunities in industrial automation. The visit, organized by Chariho alumnus and ProSystems engineer Jesse Brunelle, aimed to expose students to a side of the electrical industry beyond residential and commercial work. Students toured the facility, learned about the company's projects, and spoke with engineers about their work. The instructor, Ryan Northup, emphasized the importance of such real-world experiences in providing students with practical applications of their classroom learning and inspiring them to pursue careers in the field.
Level Automation, a Swedish company specializing in electrical and automation cabinets, has successfully migrated its control systems from the Simatic S7-1200 to the new generation Simatic S7-1200 G2. The company's owner, Martin Ozols, reported that the migration process, which he had anticipated to be time-consuming, was completed in just two minutes thanks to a new migration tool in the TIA Portal. The upgrade to the Simatic S7-1200 G2 also ensures that Level Automation is ready to meet the new cybersecurity requirements of the NIS2 Directive.
A recent report by Planera, a construction scheduling platform, has identified electricians as one of the jobs least likely to be replaced by automation. With an automation risk of just 14%, the demand for electricians is projected to grow, with over 80,000 new positions expected nationally by 2030. The report attributes this to the increasing need for electricians to support aging infrastructure, the transition to renewable energy, and the development of new technologies such as AI data centers. The report also highlights the growing demand for other skilled trade workers, such as plumbers and HVAC technicians, who are also at low risk of automation.
Post Electric, a licensed electrical contractor in Southwest Missouri, has expanded its residential services to include home automation and smart technology integration. The company has seen a significant increase in demand for these services, particularly in older homes that require electrical system upgrades to support modern technologies. Post Electric's expanded services include whole-home electrical assessments, panel upgrades, and the installation of smart home devices such as lighting controls, thermostats, and security systems. The company's Master Electrician, Ryan, stated that the expansion is a response to the evolving needs of homeowners and the growing popularity of smart home technology.
As AI, electrification, and automation continue to advance, the demand for electrical engineers is on the rise. Companies such as Tesla, Intel, and Siemens are actively hiring electrical engineers to design and develop the power systems, chips, and infrastructure that will support these new technologies. Electrical engineers are also in high demand in the aerospace and defense industries, with companies like RTX and Lockheed Martin seeking engineers to work on radar systems, satellite communications, and other advanced technologies. The median annual salary for electrical engineers is approximately $118,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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