Hi

I would greatly appreciate some advice/recommendations to help make a change of career direction to a hands-on role in control & automation away from being a marine engineer currently desk based managing new-build ship construction. 

I have recently made some job applications to roles which involve programming PLCs, SCADA, setting up inverter drives etc.. but to no avail. Fair enough, since I would not hit the ground running. Some roles also require electrical qualifications which I do not have (My seagoing qualitifactions do not qualify me for land based work) so I have looked at doing C&G2365 levels 2 &3 including 17th edition as a way into working with industrial automation and controls, perhaps by working as a multi-skilled maintenance engineer within a factory? 

My background is that I have worked at sea as an engineer officer in the Merchant Navy, gained a masters degree in marine engineering, and have worked for a diesel engine manufacturer for many years.

Will contact this colleage tomorrow to ask their advice too, as their courses look promising: www.technicaltrainingsolutions.co.uk/index.html

cheers

Tim