Kiel Shane Butler

Kiel Shane Butler from North Queensland, in Australia, shares how he transformed his career from Electrical Technician to Control Systems Engineer with EIT’s 52886WA Advanced Diploma of Industrial Automation Engineering. Supported by the BHP Future of Work Program, he overcame financial barriers. Discover how you he achieved goals!

From Technician to Engineer

Kiel Shane Butler’s journey towards industrial automation engineering began during his electrical apprenticeship. Even in the early stages of his career, he found that control panels, instrumentation, and fault finding were the most intriguing and rewarding aspects of his job.

As he continued his career, Kiel began to realize he wanted to move beyond the hardware components and explore the software and design aspects of the work.

“I always found control panels, instruments, and fault finding to be the most interesting and rewarding aspects of my job,” Kiel shared.

“As I progressed as a technician, I wanted to learn more and be involved in the software and design aspects of the job as well.”

Recognizing that his technical skills would only take him so far, Kiel decided to pursue the 52886WA Advanced Diploma of Industrial Automation Engineering to broaden his expertise and step into a more advanced role in automation.

This choice allowed him to transition from a technician role to an Undergraduate Control Systems Engineer, which was a significant turning point in his career.

A Boost from the BHP Future of Work Program

While Kiel was two months into his Advanced Diploma, he came across the BHP Future of Work Program through EIT’s social media platforms. After reading the criteria, he realized he was eligible and applied immediately.

“The application process was straightforward and easy to understand,” Kiel said. “Soon after applying, a Future of Work Program representative reached out and got the ball rolling straight away.”

Within a month, Kiel was fully reimbursed for what he had already paid towards his Advanced Diploma, and the remainder of the course was paid in full. Additionally, he received AUD $1000 to go towards office supplies, which he used to upgrade his laptop.

“The BHP Future of Work Grant relieved me of a massive financial burden and allowed me to concentrate solely on my studies,” Kiel explained.

This financial support was a game-changer for Kiel, enabling him to focus entirely on his education without the stress of financial constraints. It also marked a significant turning point in his career, as he transitioned from a technician role to an Undergraduate Control Systems Engineer.

Practical Knowledge and Real-World Application

Kiel’s background as an Electrical and Instrumentation Technician was a major asset throughout his studies. Having a solid foundation in electrical systems helped him grasp the advanced concepts in the program more easily.

“Coming from an Electrical and Instrumentation background proved to be extremely helpful while studying for the advanced diploma,” Kiel reflected. “Already having baseline knowledge meant I knew what questions to ask, and the course material answered them.”

The real-world experience he had gained over the years meant that Kiel could easily relate the theoretical content of his studies to practical situations he had encountered at work. This blend of theory and practice allowed Kiel to move quickly through the course material, enhancing his learning experience and making the most of his studies.

A particularly impactful project he worked on during his studies was the design of a remote borehole pump starter. This project included a Variable Speed Drive (VSD), PLC, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and radio telemetry communications—areas that Kiel was less familiar with but eager to explore.

“The VSD parameters and controls were something I was familiar with, but the communications side of the project was new to me,” he explained.

With the knowledge gained from the “Best Industrial Data Communications” module during his studies, Kiel successfully integrated Modbus Serial communications between the VSD and PLC, as well as configured the network switch and radio systems for the project.

“This real-world application gave me the ability to confidently execute the works and directly apply what I was learning,” he said.

The Flexibility of Online Learning

Kiel chose to study this advanced diploma at EIT because of the flexible online format and the practical focus of the course.

“The course structure was tailored for those with existing industry knowledge, such as tradespeople, which suited me perfectly. I also liked that the subjects offered were exactly what I was looking to learn, and the lecturers had real-world industry experience.”

One of the most appealing aspects of the program was the ability to study 100% online. With a demanding job in the oil and gas industry and family commitments, Kiel found this flexibility essential.

“Being able to study anywhere at any time meant I didn’t have to attend campus, which would have been impossible with my lifestyle,” he said.

Despite the challenges of balancing work, family life, and study, Kiel made it a priority to dedicate time to his coursework.

“I set aside 1.5 hours before work each day and studied over the weekends. By consistently chipping away at the material, I was never rushed to meet deadlines and could submit each assessment with confidence.”

Advancing as a Control Systems Engineer

After completing his 52886WA Advanced Diploma of Industrial Automation Engineering, Kiel successfully transitioned into the role of Control Systems Engineer, a position that presented new challenges and opportunities for growth. One of the most significant areas Kiel had to develop in his new role was networking and communication—an area he had limited experience with previously.

“The biggest challenge in my new role has been networking and communications. Before the advanced diploma, I had very little exposure to this area. However, the subjects focused on industrial communications and networking, such as Wireless Ethernet and TCP/IP Networking, proved to be extremely beneficial.”

His transition into his new role was made smoother by the coursework he had completed during his studies. The practical knowledge gained from subjects like Radio Telemetry Systems and Best Practice Industrial Communications helped him address challenges in his work, particularly when dealing with network and communication issues.

In his current role, Kiel enjoys the process of building automation projects from the ground up. “The most exciting part of my role is watching a system I designed come to life,” he said.

From developing control philosophies to writing PLC, HMI, and SCADA code, Kiel is involved in every phase of automation projects. His previous experience as an Electrical and Instrumentation Technician also allows him to troubleshoot and fault-find issues beyond just the software aspects of control systems, particularly during commissioning.

Looking ahead, he plans to continue expanding his expertise, particularly in networking and coding languages. “In five years, I see myself continuing in this role, further developing my skills in networking and various coding languages. The key now is continued learning.”

For others considering this path, Kiel encourages them to pursue it if they’re passionate about automation.

“If you’re genuinely interested in the automation field, it will be an enjoyable and rewarding journey,” he advised. “Just be sure to dedicate the time and effort to thoroughly learn the material. What you put in is what you get out.”