Going to school to learn how to program a PLC just seems wrong to me. There is another recent thread about what self-taught programmers had learned. A couple mentioned understanding the process. I fully agree.
To me, a PLC is just a tool. It may be more sophisticated than a hammer, but it is still a tool. The tools are always changing. I think it is better to learn mechanical, electronics, math, and encompassing physics. Then you will have a better idea of what tool to use and how to use the tool.
Peter
I agree with most of what you have here. I too agree people should be going to school and concentrating on gaining the forever knowledge such as math and physics, science, broad mechanical skills, and broad electrical skills.
Taking a 16 week PLC course in school is a waste without having some or most of the forever knowledge skills or basis to build on.
IMHO for long "school" based courses PLC's should be a part of a more encompassing program like industrial systems which includes math, physics, mechanical, electrical, process control, etc.
PLC training, as well as any other specialized course such as robotics, HMI's, Drives, are very valuable because just like anyone can learn to play piano on their own, it takes a lot of effort, determination and time and a lot of making severe mistakes and learning from them.
It's much faster to take piano lessons from a knowledgeable instructor to get you up to speed and working with that "tool" faster and more efficiently, which in many cases translates to lower cost.
However, to your point learning the piano as a tool does not make you a complete musician without the forever knowledge of that industry like knowing how to read and write sheet music, song composition, etc.
Also going to "school" for these things helps people who do not learn well on their own as everyone learns best from different methods. Some learn best from an instructor and some best on their own. Some learn well from reading, and some learn best from a visual like seeing someone do something in person or as a video.
Just to call out the positives and the negatives the one advantage to someone going to a 16-week course on PLC's is that they get lots of hands-on time with the equipment they might not otherwise get to use and may not be in a position to afford their own.