In today’s rapidly evolving industrial automation landscape, cutting-edge technologies like SCADA, IIoT, and MES are reshaping the industry by harnessing extensive IT skill sets to tackle complex challenges. As automation and control technologies advance, the demand for educational programs that equip students with practical, industry-specific tools has never been greater.
To address this urgent need, Inductive Automation launched its Educational Engagement Program (EEP) nearly five years ago. This initiative provides students and educators with access to the Ignition platform, ensuring they gain hands-on experience with the same tools used by industry professionals.
By actively partnering with educational institutions and fostering collaboration within the Inductive Automation ecosystem — which includes system integrators, corporate partners, and technology contributors — Inductive Automation is bridging the gap between theory and practice. This program not only enhances workforce readiness but also shapes the future of industrial innovation at the academic level, empowering students to excel in tomorrow’s automated industries.
Bridging Education And Industry In Automation
As a leader in industrial automation technologies, Inductive Automation understands that the success of any industry hinges on the preparedness of its future workforce. Providing students with access to industry-specific tools like Ignition is not merely an educational necessity; it’s a responsibility that industry leaders must take seriously.
By acting as stewards of education, companies like Inductive Automation can help shape curricula, offer real-world resources, and create pathways for students to engage with the technologies that are transforming automation. This collaborative approach ensures that students are not just grasping theoretical concepts; they are also acquiring the hands-on experience essential for succeeding in a competitive, tech-driven job market. When industry leaders invest in education, they play a crucial role in closing the skills gap and fostering innovation across various sectors.
Access To Industry-Specific Tools
Access to industry-specific tools like Ignition provides a transformative benefit to academia by offering students practical, real-world experience with the technologies driving modern industrial automation.
By integrating tools used in the field into classroom instruction, educators can create more dynamic, hands-on learning environments that better prepare students for the challenges they will face in their careers. This accessibility not only enhances technical proficiency but also fosters innovation, as students can experiment, build, and problem-solve using the same advanced platforms that professionals rely on. Ultimately, this empowers graduates to enter the workforce with confidence, bridging the skills gap between education and industry needs.
Inductive Automation has been addressing educational challenges for several years by providing free licensing and resources across a variety of institutions, ranging from high schools to postdoctoral research. Our commitment to supporting educational use cases ensures that any academic initiative can receive assistance.
Tailored Support For Institutions
Understanding that each institution has unique needs, the EEP team takes a personalized approach with every school. Licensing requests can vary significantly, from a few licenses for small classes to hundreds for larger academic programs. Inductive Automation is equipped to support all these requests.
Resources For Faculty And Students
In addition to licensing, Inductive Automation offers a variety of resources designed to facilitate effective knowledge transfer for both faculty and students. These resources are easily accessible on our website and include:
- Inductive University: A comprehensive online learning platform with courses and certifications.
- Maker Edition: Tools for hands-on learning and experimentation.
- Inductive Automation Documents Repository: A collection of documentation, including the Ignition User Manual.
New Starter Curriculum
To further support educators, the EEP team has developed a starter curriculum that professors and students can use to get acquainted with Ignition in an academic setting. This curriculum introduces key concepts in SCADA and HMI application development through five engaging labs centered around Ignition projects. The topics covered include:
- What is SCADA?
- What is Ignition?
- Tags and Data
- HMI and Dashboards
- Alarming
Certification Opportunities
The EEP collaborates with partners to offer pathways for students to obtain a single, free Core Certification test at the end of their academic program. This certification is highly sought after in the industry, providing students with valuable credentials as they enter the workforce.
Stewards Of Education
The Ignition ecosystem plays an increasingly significant role in education for supporting and cultivating a skilled and adaptable workforce. These industry leaders have a unique opportunity to engage with educational institutions, fostering strategic partnerships that can enhance curricula and provide students with access to the latest technologies and resources.
Through thoughtful collaboration, they can help create pathways for underserved communities, ensuring broader access to the tools that facilitate success in a tech-driven world. Moreover, by supporting initiatives that emphasize lifelong learning, Ignition system integrators and technology partners can encourage a culture of continuous innovation, equipping the workforce to navigate the evolving landscape of technology. Ultimately, this approach to corporate stewardship not only enriches academic experiences but also contributes to a more inclusive and dynamic future for the entire industry.
With that being said, system integrators in particular can play a vital role in the success of Inductive Automation’s EEP by serving as a bridge between academia and industry. These companies, with their expertise in deploying and optimizing automation solutions, provide valuable real-world insight and mentorship to students and educators alike. Through partnerships with educational institutions, system integrators and technology providers can help ensure that students are not only trained on platforms like Ignition but are also learning how to apply these tools in practical, industry-relevant scenarios.
Cultivating Tomorrow's Innovators
By actively participating with Inductive Automation’s EEP, the Ignition ecosystem can help develop a robust pipeline of future engineers who are well-versed in automation technologies and ready to contribute to the evolving demands of the industry. Additionally, these partnerships are instrumental in upscaling the current workforce, providing opportunities for ongoing training and professional development. This collaborative effort between system integrators, end-users, technology providers, and educational institutions is key to addressing the skills gap, driving innovation, and ensuring the sustainability of the industrial automation sector for years to come.
If you are interested in partnering with Inductive Automation, apply on the Educational Engagement Program page or reach out to edengagement@inductiveautomation.com and we will answer any of your questions. You can also read our program brochure for more information. We look forward to hearing from you and discussing new educational opportunities.
