PLC Certifications in U.S.

<Ahem>

It was the term that was being labelled, not the individual.

And nobody knows anybody on this site. IdeaSmith is a username, not a person's name.

</Ahem>

A resume with a listing of the successful projects you executed with PLC's is much better than a degree or certification. My oldest brother had a very successful career as an engineer in the pulp and paper industry with much PLC experience and no degree or certifications of any kind.

The resume gets an interview, the interview is where you can demonstrate your command of the vernacular, and your work demonstrates your skills and value to the company and you keep your job and continue your advancement.

A 'degree' from the School of Hard Knocks carries much more weight.

Hi, thanks for the response.

I guess after having completed school, I am looking for some more hands-on, direct experience to work with PLCs - projects I can include in my resume. PLCs are expensive, it's not like an Arduino board I could buy and play with.

What would you advice as a good way to get into that line of work, and gain some skills hands-on?

Se #2 above.

Pick an industry that you think you would like to work. Find some companies in that industry and see if they have any job openings. Even if it is sweeping the parking lot. Just sending resumes out cold is like playing the lottery with the same type of odds.

Build personal contacts whenever possible. Join the Instrument Society of America, OOOOPs, I mean the International Society of Automation, showing my age. Go to the local meetings in the area where you want to work. Show people you are serious about your chosen profession and you're not just looking to draw a paycheck. Or join the IEEE Industry Applications Society or both. Through those societies, you will find out what is good to do to further your career. They won't steer you to some money-harvesting certificate mill.

Do a good job at whatever your job is, and build some reputation while expressing your interests in PLC's. You'll get there. Be patient, but persistent.

Best of wishes in your quest.

<...certification (or certifications)...>

Many training course providers produce a "record of attendance" document for their courses. Allen Bradley certainly do (usual disclaimer).

Such documents do not provide assurance that the holder is able to do the work, merely that a higher level of confidence has been established compared to someone who has not had the training.

All such things are skills, which can be learned.

If training is the process of encouraging the desired behaviour, and the individual is already exhibiting the desired behaviour, then training will not be necessary.