"From Field Trips to Future Careers: The Growing Role of Electricians in an Automated World"
Last Updated: 2026-05-29T03:18:01.207-04:00
Westerly, RI - 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 students, led by instructor Ryan Northup, were given a tour of the facility by owner John Brunelle and his son Jesse, an engineer at the company and a Chariho alumnus. The Brunelles showcased the various custom-built systems and machines used for a wide range of applications, from medical tubing to control systems for the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. The visit aimed to expose students to the industrial side of the electrical field, which is often overlooked in traditional curriculums.
In other news, a recent report from Planera, a construction scheduling platform, analyzed the automation risk for various manual professions. The study found that electricians have one of the lowest automation risks at just 14%, while also experiencing a high demand for their skills. This is attributed to the fact that electricians are needed to build and maintain the very infrastructure that powers AI and automation. The report predicts a shortage of over 80,000 electricians by 2030, driven by an aging workforce and the increasing demand for electric vehicle charging networks and other green energy initiatives.
Meanwhile, Siemens has announced the release of its new Simatic S7-1200 G2 control system, which is designed to be NIS2 ready. The new system is more powerful and compact than its predecessor and features a new migration tool that makes it easy to upgrade from the previous generation. Level Automation, a Swedish company that specializes in building electrical and automation cabinets, was one of the first to adopt the new system and reported that the migration was completed in just two minutes.
In the world of smart homes, 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 an increase in demand for these services and has invested in new equipment and training to meet the needs of its customers.
Finally, Built In, a website that covers the tech industry, has released a list of the top 10 companies hiring electrical engineers. The list includes major players like Tesla, Intel, and Siemens, as well as companies in the aerospace and defense industries. The article notes that the demand for electrical engineers is being driven by the growth of AI, electrification, and automation.
Visit BotAdmins for done for you business solutions.