Custom Courses Instrumentation & Automation

Industrial Automation Training

SAQA US AATICD-0231 | NQF 5 | Credits 10 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of industrial automation systems, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, actuators, and human-machine interfaces. Learners will gain practical skills to design, implement, and maintain automated systems in manufacturing and process industries.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply principles of industrial automation to design basic automated systems.
  • Analyze the operation of PLCs, sensors, and actuators in a control system.
  • Implement ladder logic programs for PLC-based control applications.
  • Evaluate the performance of automated systems and identify areas for improvement.
  • Demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot common automation faults.
  • Design a simple human-machine interface (HMI) for monitoring and control.

Target Audience

This course is designed for engineers, technicians, and professionals involved in manufacturing, process control, or maintenance who seek to enhance their knowledge of industrial automation.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Day 1: Fundamentals of Industrial Automation

Objectives:
• Understand the basic concepts and principles of industrial automation
• Identify common automation components and their functions
• Explain the role of sensors, actuators, and controllers in automated systems
• Describe different types of automation systems (fixed, programmable, flexible)

Topics:
• Introduction to industrial automation: definitions, benefits, and applications
• Overview of automation components: controllers, sensors, actuators, HMIs
• Basic control theory: open-loop vs closed-loop control
• Types of automation: fixed, programmable, and flexible automation
• Safety considerations in automation
• Industry 4.0 and the role of automation in smart factories

Day 2: Sensors, Actuators, and Control Devices

Objectives:
• Differentiate between various sensor types and their applications
• Select appropriate actuators for specific tasks
• Understand the operation of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
• Interpret basic electrical schematics and wiring diagrams

Topics:
• Sensors: proximity, temperature, pressure, flow, level, and vision sensors
• Actuators: electric motors, hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, solenoids
• Introduction to PLCs: architecture, programming basics (ladder logic)
• Input/Output modules and signal conditioning
• Wiring and connection of sensors and actuators to PLCs
• Hands-on: simple sensor-actuator circuit assembly

Day 3: PLC Programming and HMI Design

Objectives:
• Write and test basic PLC programs using ladder logic
• Design simple Human-Machine Interface (HMI) screens
• Implement timers, counters, and basic logic functions
• Troubleshoot common programming errors

Topics:
• Advanced PLC programming: timers, counters, comparators, math instructions
• HMI design principles: screen layout, navigation, alarms
• Communication between PLC and HMI
• Sequential function charts and state machines
• Practical exercise: program a simple conveyor system with HMI control

Day 4: Industrial Networks and System Integration

Objectives:
• Explain the role of industrial networks in automation
• Configure basic network parameters for devices
• Integrate multiple automation components into a working system
• Apply troubleshooting techniques for network issues

Topics:
• Industrial communication protocols: Profibus, Modbus, Ethernet/IP
• Network topologies and media (wired, wireless)
• Setting up a small network with PLCs, HMIs, and drives
• System integration: combining sensors, actuators, controllers, and networks
• Troubleshooting: common network faults and diagnostic tools
• Case study: integrating a robotic arm with a PLC

Day 5: Advanced Applications, Safety, and Project Work

Objectives:
• Implement safety systems in automation (e.g., emergency stops, interlocks)
• Apply SCADA fundamentals for monitoring
• Complete a mini-project integrating all learned concepts
• Evaluate system performance and propose improvements

Topics:
• Safety standards: ISO 13849, IEC 62061, safety PLCs
• SCADA basics: data acquisition, trending, alarms
• Energy efficiency in automation
• Mini-project: design and simulate an automated sorting station
• Project presentations and peer feedback
• Course review and assessment

Practicals

20 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Hands-on practicals are essential to reinforce theoretical concepts and develop skills in wiring, programming, and troubleshooting industrial automation systems. Learners will work with PLCs, sensors, actuators, HMIs, and networks in a lab environment.

Practical Activities
  • Practical 1: Sensor and Actuator Wiring — Learners wire sensors (proximity, temperature) and actuators (motor, solenoid) to a PLC input/output module and test functionality. (4h)
  • Practical 2: PLC Programming with Ladder Logic — Learners write and download ladder logic programs to control a conveyor system, including start/stop, timers, and counters. (5h)
  • Practical 3: HMI Design and Integration — Learners design an HMI screen to monitor and control the conveyor system, then connect it to the PLC via communication cable. (4h)
  • Practical 4: Network Configuration and System Integration — Learners set up an industrial network (Ethernet/IP) connecting two PLCs and an HMI, then integrate a variable frequency drive. (4h)
  • Practical 5: Mini-Project – Automated Sorting Station — Learners design and implement a complete automated sorting system using sensors, actuators, PLC, HMI, and network, then present their solution. (3h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) 100% 30%
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 50%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 21 Sep 2026 Fri 25 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Fri 09 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 04 Jan 2027 Fri 08 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 01 Feb 2027 Fri 05 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 01 Mar 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Jun 2027 Fri 11 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 21 Jun 2027 Fri 25 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 06 Sep 2027 Fri 10 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 20 Sep 2027 Fri 24 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 04 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 06 Dec 2027 Fri 10 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 20 Dec 2027 Fri 24 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 426 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 03 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,863 Register
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,916 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Abu Dhabi, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
Mon 17 Aug 2026 Fri 21 Aug 2026 Harare, Zimbabwe Winter 2026 $3,078 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 14 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 12 Oct 2026 Fri 16 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 08 Feb 2027 Fri 12 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 28 Jun 2027 Fri 02 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 12 Jul 2027 Fri 16 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 27 Sep 2027 Fri 01 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 11 Oct 2027 Fri 15 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 10 Jan 2028 Fri 14 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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