#electromation technologies

Every year, thousands of students graduate in Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE) , Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering (EIE) , Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) & Mechanical Engineering, but the same question comes up again and again:

“Where are the jobs?” “Should I go for IT or stay in my core field?”

The truth is, the job market has changed, not disappeared.  Industries still need engineers, but they now want skilled engineers, those who understand automation, control systems, and modern tools like PLC, HMI, SCADA, and VFD.

This blog post lays out the actual job market in straightforward ways. It covers career paths for engineers in India and other countries too. It also points out why picking up automation skills matters so much for students in core engineering fields to get ahead. Read blog : https://electromationtechnologies.com/career-after-electrical-eie-ece-mechanical-engineering-the-power-of-automation-plc-hmi-scada-vfd/

Source : https://electromationtechnologies.com/

Automation Engineers is not just the present — it’s the future of all industries. In the next ten years, we will see huge growth in:

Smart factories & Industry 4.0

Electric vehicle manufacturing & charging stations

Renewable energy & solar automation

Building management & home automation

IoT & Artificial Intelligence in industry

Building the Substation of the Future

The electric power industry is changing and the design of substations is changing right along with it. Driven by more strict reliability requirements, as well as significant technology developments, a new concept for the substation of the future has emerged.

The substation of the future will be based on an object-oriented modular approach that will cover the design of the substation primary system, the IEDs providing protection, control, measurements, recording and other functions, as well as their integration in substation automation systems with advanced functionality. It should include solutions for a technically compliant system design that meets new and emerging grid connection requirements and solutions for integrating wind farms or other distributed energy resources in the power grid. Building the Substation of the Future, These solutions include but are not limited to, HVAC or HVDC (High Voltage Alternating Current or High Voltage Direct Current) connections; SVCs (Static VAR Compensator) or STATCOMs (an SVC based on Gate-Turn-Off Thyristor technology); switchgear and transformers.

Upgrades of existing substations and construction of new substations in urban areas with limited space availability will also result in an increase in the number of gas-insulated substations (GIS) built worldwide.

Considering the fact that more and more substations will be installed in locations that may have extreme climate conditions, both the primary and secondary devices must be able to operate correctly under all weather conditions.

The publication of IEC 61850, the new international standard for substation communications, is an extremely important step in the definition of the “copper-less” substation of the future and will have the greatest impact on future substation design. Distributed substation applications based on high-speed peer-to-peer communications of change of state of breakers, protection and control functional elements or current and voltage sampled values will lead to very efficient and at the same time functionally superior substation solutions.

IEC 61850 defines not only the object models of primary substation equipment, IEDs and functions in a substation automation system but also the relationship and communications between system components based on the different system requirements. It is very important to understand that just because one can model a function in a device or substation automation system does not mean that the standard attempts to standardize the functions. There are so many different algorithms and characteristics used for different functions (for example a distance protection element), as well as preferences and options, that this will be an extremely difficult task. Instead, the model represents the communications visible attributes and behavior of the device. Building the Substation of the Future, This is sufficient for the development and implementation of engineering, testing, analysis, integration and other tools that will result in the introduction of real power system engineering automation.

It is important also to remember that the changing technology introduces new methods for the interface between the instrument transformers or sensors and the substation IEDs. They need to be able to interface with conventional and non-conventional sensors to allow the implementation of the system in different substation environments.

The merging unit (MU) interfaces with the process through conventional or non-conventional instrument transformers, generates and multicasts sets of measured sampled values to multiple IEDs in the substation over the substation local area network. In IEC 61850 this is called the “process bus.” Status information for breakers and switches is available through an input/output unit (I/O). In some cases, the merging unit and the input/output unit can be combined in a single device that we may call a process interface unit (PIU).

The receiving devices (IEDs or industrial-grade computers) then process the data, make decisions and take action based on their functionality. The action of protection and control devices in this case will be to operate their relay outputs or to send a high-speed peer-to-peer communications message over the station bus to other IEDs in order to trip a breaker or initiate some other control function, such as breaker failure protection, reclosing, etc.

All devices and functions in the substation exchange real-time or reporting/analysis data based on the object models defined in IEC 61850. The modeling of complex multifunctional IEDs from different vendors that are also part of distributed functions requires the definition of basic elements that can function by themselves or communicate with each other. These communications can be between the elements within the same physical device or in the case of distributed functions (such as substation protection schemes) between multiple devices over the substation local area network. The basic functional elements defined in IEC 61850 and used in the modeling of the devices in the substation are the logical nodes.

A logical node is “the smallest part of a function that exchanges data.” Multiple instances of different logical nodes become components of different local or distributed protection, control, monitoring and other functions in a substation automation system.

IEC 61850 also allows the development of a new range of protection and control applications that result in significant benefits beyond the conventional hard-wired solutions in today’s typical substation. It supports interoperability between protective relays and control devices from different manufacturers in the substation, which is a necessity in order to achieve substation-level interlocking, protection and control functions and improve the efficiency of microprocessor-based relays applications.

There is consensus in the industry that high-speed peer-to-peer communications between IEDs connected to the substation LAN based on the exchange of generic substation event (GSE) messages can successfully replace hard-wiring for different protection and control applications, Building the Substation of the Future, such as the protection of distribution buses, distributed recording or load-shedding in substations with varying configuration.

Sampled measured values communicated from merging units to different protection and control devices connected to the substation process bus to replace the copper wiring between the instrument transformers in the substation yard and the IEDs.

As a result, future substations based on IEC 61850 communications will provide some significant advantages over conventional protection and control systems used to perform the same functions in the substations. They will require reduced wiring, installation, maintenance and commissioning costs; and they will adapt easily to changing bus configurations in the substation.

In the rapidly changing job market these days, it appears that nearly every student aspires to enter the IT field. The allure of comfortable jobs, work-from-home options with flexibility, and high-starter salaries quite naturally entices one toward IT. Parents support it, colleges promote it, and friends pressure one another into software testing and coding. But this huge influx of talent towards IT has created a critical question: *What does the non-IT or “core” job do when fewer and fewer students opt for IT Career. This blog answers that very question by examining the supply-demand mismatch, its impact on industries, and the lesser-known opportunities lying in wait for those who hold on to their core disciplines.

1. Supply of Non-IT Engineers Falls

While the majority of engineering graduates concentrate on IT training, hardly anybody stays on to work on their main specializations. Such sectors as

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Instrumentation Engineering

Industrial Automation

receive significantly fewer work-ready graduates.

This is not about students ignoring these disciplines — even those who graduate in these streams go into IT. For instance, a mechanical engineer may opt to learn Java or Python to join an IT company rather than specialize in CAD or robotics. The consequence? *Firms in these core industries find it hard to source qualified engineers.*

In the long term, this results in a deficit of professional engineers who can design control panels, service smart grids, operate big power plants, or construct bridges and smart cities.

2. Demand for Skilled Core Engineers Continues to Increase

While the supply falls, the demand doesn’t. Actually, sectors such as:

Manufacturing – with Industry 4.0 and smart factories expanding fast

Energy & Power – particularly renewable energy, solar, and wind

Oil & Gas – field engineers being essential for operations and safety

Smart Infrastructure & Civil Projects – from metro lines to intelligent cities

Industrial Automation – PLC, SCADA, VFD, robotics, and IoT-based plants

are growing at the fastest rates ever.

These sectors can’t operate solely on code. They need engineers in the field — individuals who know machines, circuits, and systems. No coding can substitute a field engineer in a power plant or an automation technician debugging a PLC system.

This disparity results in a significant talent shortage. The results? A deficit of good quality engineers in the core domain — especially in high in-demand fields such as PLC, SCADA, embedded systems, VFDs, robotics, and smart grid technologies.

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Economics: Supply vs. Demand in Engineering Jobs

Let’s break it down with simple economics and underststand it through a simple table.

Sector

Supply of Talent

Industry Demand

Net Result

IT/Software

High

High

Balanced – But very competitive

Core (Electrical, Mech, Auto)

Low

High

Shortrage → Higher value & Demand

What This Means for Core Engineers (Non-IT)

If you’re from a core engineering branch, this shift is actually *great news for you*. Here’s why:

1. More Opportunities, Less Competition

Since fewer students specialize in fundamental skills, you’ll be a standout automatically. Think of being among a handful of engineers in your graduating batch who are proficient in PLC programming, designing an electrical panel, or undertaking renewable energy assignments. Employers are willing to hire such people, and it is simpler to negotiate compensation when you can offer unusual expertise.

2. Quicker Career Advancement in Niche Positions

In the IT industry, thousands of freshers fight over the same jobs — coding, testing, support, or business analytics. Promotions are slow, and job security is uncertain.

In comparison, professions such as:

Automation Engineers

Instrumentation Specialists

Control Panel Designers

Energy Analysts

Smart Infrastructure Planners

are not only less in quantity but also much more difficult to replace. That translates into quicker growth and better respect for those who succeed.

3. Global Demand Is Growing

Core engineering is not an Indian need alone — it’s universal. Nations such as Germany, UAE, Canada, and Japan heavily poach talented engineers from India due to their deep technical foundation and lesser talent pool locally.

In light of Industry 4.0 (intelligent manufacturing) and the worldwide energy transition towards green energy, demand for engineers in disciplines such as automation, renewable energy, and smart grids is soaring.

For the privileged skills, this presents promising jobs overseas with good salaries.

4. Future-Proof Jobs

As IT is disrupted by AI and automation, most core work is AI-resistant.

Such as:

You can’t automate a PLC field engineer out of a job — the engineer is creating automation.

Power stations, assembly lines, and chemical plants can’t operate without skilled engineers keeping real-world machinery going.

These sectors are always on 24/7 and are the backbone of our economy — i.e., the work is not only high-value but also secure and future-proof.

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Final Thought: Yes, It Is Supply vs Demand

The IT sector might appear enticing, but the truth is:

Oversupply in IT → fiercer competition, redundancies, and job saturation.

Undersupply in Core → greater demand, greater stability, quicker growth.

What tips the balance? Skills.

A hands-on-free electrical or mechanical engineer is still disadvantaged. But someone who is skilled in PLC, SCADA, CAD, robotics, IIoT, or smart grids will never be in short demand.

As it goes: “In the land of mass coders, the skilled automation engineer is king.”

What You Should Do

If you are from core branches such as Electrical, Mechanical, ECE, or Instrumentation, this is how you prepare yourself for success:

1. Skill-Based Training Investment

Study tools and technologies actually employed by industries:

PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers)

SCADA Systems

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

Industrial IoT (IIoT)

CAD & Robotics

2. Right Institute Selection

Opt for training institutes with *genuine labs, industry interaction, and placement facilities*. Theory won’t suffice — it’s practical skills that industries require.

3. Be Current with Trends

Read and keep track of and emerging subjects such as:

Smart grids

Renewable energy

Industry 4.0

Digital twins

Robotics & sustainability

4. Construct a Career Roadmap

Think ahead: core engineering jobs may begin a little lower than IT positions, but the career path is typically quicker and more secure.

The Road Ahead

The world and India require both non-IT and IT professionals. But today, the equation is skewed. Too many engineers are focusing on IT, while key sectors suffer from a shortage of skilled core engineers.

For students brave enough to follow their domain, the rewards are immense: global opportunities, future-proof careers, and the satisfaction of working on real-world systems that power industries, cities, and nations.

So, if you’re from a core branch, don’t rush to abandon it. Instead, skill up, specialize, and step into industries where your work truly matters.