A report forecasts that the Kenyan industrial automation market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% between 2020 and 2026. This trend points to automation playing a central role in the mechanical industry. In line with this shift, demand has increased for professionals with the expertise to design, implement, and maintain automated systems. Training in automation has emerged not only as a response to market needs but also as a practical step towards improving career prospects within the mechanical engineering profession.
Key Technical Competencies
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs):
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are the brains behind most machines used in factories. They control how machines start, stop, and respond to different inputs. Learning how to work with PLCs helps engineers understand how to automate machines and improve how factories operate. Without this skill, it’s difficult to take part in designing or maintaining modern industrial systems.
Robotics and Robotic Process Automation (RPA):
Robots are now common in industries because they can do tasks like welding, painting, or sorting with speed and accuracy. Robotic Process Automation (RPA), while often used in software, shares many ideas with physical automation. Engineers who understand robotics can help design systems that work faster, cost less, and make fewer errors. It also prepares them for future jobs where machines work more independently.
Control Systems and Instrumentation
Machines need to follow certain rules and conditions to work properly. Control systems make sure machines behave as expected, using information from sensors to make constant adjustments. Engineers must also understand instrumentation, which is how machines measure things like temperature or pressure. Without this knowledge, it becomes hard to troubleshoot or improve systems that aren’t working as they should.
Sensors and Actuators
Sensors and actuators are what allow machines to sense the world and take action. For example, a sensor might detect when a box is in place, and an actuator might then move it to the next station. Understanding how these parts work and connect with each other helps engineers create smart systems that can react in real time. This knowledge is key in building machines that are safe, accurate, and efficient.
System Integration
Modern machines don’t work in isolation. They often need to talk to other machines, computers, and software systems. Engineers who understand system integration can bring all these parts together so everything runs smoothly. This skill is especially useful when working in large industries where many different technologies must cooperate.
Hands-on Learning and Practical Skills
Beyond theoretical instruction, practical exposure plays a critical role in building automation expertise. Participation in lab-based activities, workshops, and industrial attachments allows engineers to apply concepts in realistic settings. Project-based work and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams provide further opportunities to solve complex challenges and refine applied skills.
Soft Skills
The dynamic nature of automation technology places a premium on adaptability and analytical thinking. Mechanical engineers involved in automation often work across disciplinary boundaries, making communication and teamwork important aspects of the role. Ongoing learning—whether through professional courses, certification programmes, or industry seminars—remains essential for staying current with both tools and trends.
Automation and mechanical engineering are becoming more connected across many industries. Burhani Engineers Ltd recognise this change and will be looking to explore how automation can fit into their work. We are taking steps to understand how technologies like sensors, control systems, and robotics can improve efficiency and reliability. This includes building internal knowledge and learning from others with experience in automation.