The global industrial automation market is expanding at a double-digit pace, yet manufacturers and utilities report a widening shortage of PLC programmers and controls engineers. In most industrial corridors, demand now outstrips supply by roughly three to one. Against this backdrop, United International University (UIU) in Dhaka has moved to close the gap — opening a dedicated PLC lab and launching an industrial automation training course under its Power & Energy Training Academy (PETA).
Analyst Insight: The timing is strategic. Asia-Pacific already commands roughly 41% of the global programmable logic controller market and remains its fastest-growing region. Universities that pair PLC hardware with formal curricula are positioning graduates at the front of a structural talent shortage that shows no sign of easing before 2030.
Inside the New PLC Laboratory
On September 7, 2026, the Power & Energy Training Academy of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) inaugurated the facility. The lab is purpose-built to deliver hands-on training in programmable logic controllers and industrial automation.
The accompanying course is open to both students and working professionals, a dual-track approach intended to serve new engineers and upskill the existing workforce simultaneously.
Why the Region Needs Controls Talent Now
Industrial automation and control systems now represent a market projected to grow from roughly $250 billion in 2026 to over $500 billion by 2033. Within that, PLC hardware remains the backbone of discrete and process automation across energy, automotive, and manufacturing.
Yet the pipeline of qualified controls engineers is not keeping pace. An aging engineering workforce is retiring faster than institutions can onboard replacements, creating a knowledge vacuum that training academies are now racing to fill.
Market Data at a Glance
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) market size
The global PLC market was valued near USD 17 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 25.26 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of roughly 4.5%. Asia-Pacific is the largest and fastest-growing region, while modular PLCs lead the hardware segment on scalability and I/O expansion.
Industrial automation and control systems market
The broader industrial automation and control systems market is estimated at $226.8 billion in 2025, rising to $250.3 billion in 2026 and $504.4 billion by 2033 — a compound annual growth rate of about 10.5%.
The controls engineering skills gap
Demand for PLC programmers and controls engineers exceeds supply by roughly 3:1 in major industrial corridors. Analysts project the manufacturing sector alone could face a 3.8 million job gap by 2030, with 95% of industrial firms planning new automation deployments within three years.
What the Course Delivers
The program emphasizes practical, lab-based competency rather than theory alone. Students work directly with PLC hardware to learn ladder logic, I/O configuration, and troubleshooting — the same skills plants require for commissioning and maintenance roles.
By aligning curriculum with regional energy and manufacturing demand, the academy aims to shorten the time between graduation and productive employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enroll in the industrial automation training course?
The course is designed for both EEE students and working professionals seeking hands-on PLC and automation skills, reflecting the dual demand for entry-level and upskilling pathways.
Why are PLC skills so critical in 2026?
PLCs remain the control backbone of modern factories, power plants, and process industries. As plants modernize and integrate IIoT and AI, the need for engineers who can program and troubleshoot PLC systems continues to outpace supply.
Market Trend: Watch for more universities and technical academies across South and Southeast Asia to launch PLC-centric programs. As modular PLC adoption accelerates in greenfield industrial parks, regional institutions with working hardware labs will become the primary feeders for controls and automation hiring pipelines.
