Automation Designer. Operations Engineer. Building Automation Controls Technician. At the time of writing, there’s over 1000 open automation and OT network roles currently advertised on LinkedIn. And that’s just North America. In India, for example, there’s an anticipated 8-9% growth in HVAC automation roles coming into 2025. OT Networking experts occupy a fairly niche role, and companies—from on-site staff to System Integrators—are suffering from a skilled labor shortage.
Let’s examine two of the main drivers behind the shortage: a shrinking workforce as older groups of professionals retire, and a shift in skills towards more computer and network-oriented management duties that are outpacing the workforce’s ability to adapt and train for.
The Talent Pool is Shrinking
In many skilled trades, the skilled labor shortage is a common refrain, and building automation roles are no different. In the last decade one of the largest cohorts of hands-on skilled labor has started to retire. As a result, there is a quickly evolving experience gap, where employees with 30+ years of experience are retiring and taking all that knowledge with them. This gap is difficult to bridge due to the skilled labor shortage and the lack of experienced hires.
Chad Harper, Senior Director of Technology for MAVERICK Technologies, notes that university and college training programs still focus on the wrong things. “There have been very few attempts to pull together a B.S. Control Systems Engineer degree or something similar. Most control textbooks still spend a third of the space explaining Laplace transforms and Bode diagrams. While a background in the theory is critical, these texts do not have the applicability to real-world problems.” This lack of real-world training can discourage students from pursuing careers in automation.
A Shift Toward IT Skills
Building technology is also shifting and advancing far faster than the current workforce can upskill. As OT networks continue to converge with IT systems, there’s been a dramatic shift towards needing to understand IP-based networking technologies. Buildings are evolving into large interconnected and automated ecosystems of ever-changing hardware and software. Demand is driven by the increasing complexity of building systems, a mandate towards energy efficiency, and the growing adoption of smart building technologies.
Technicians and engineers need to be proficient in programming, data analysis, and software applications to manage complex building systems. Where legacy OT systems would work by controlling physical systems—pneumatics or electrical engineering systems—today there’s a premium on digital skills. For example, understanding BACnet/IP means not only understanding how the BACnet protocol works between devices, but understanding how they communicate across an IP network as well.
Companies are also finding themselves unable to integrate all these new technologies into their current systems, largely due to a lack of employees with the expertise to do so, and frequently rely on outside support, like systems integrators (who are also looking for more skilled employees). As Brian Turner, CEO of OTI, writes in Facility Executive, what’s needed is “a renaissance of technicians and engineers who can keep up with the pace of the ever-changing landscape of hardware and software proliferating throughout the sector.”
Is OT A Viable Alternative to the Tech Industry?
Yes! Building automation and OT network engineering present viable alternatives for tech industry professionals facing layoffs, offshoring, and the skilled labor shortage. The convergence of IT and OT, coupled with a significant labor shortage in these fields, creates unique opportunities for those with relevant technical skills. Here’s how:
- High Demand and Job Security: Unlike software development, many roles in building automation, particularly those involving hands-on work with physical systems, cannot be easily outsourced. This offers a level of job security not always present in the IT sector.
- Transferable Skills: Professionals with software development, networking, or IT backgrounds possess highly transferable skills that are increasingly valuable in building automation. These skills include programming logic, networking, data analysis, and problem-solving.
- Competitive Salaries and Growth Potential: The building automation field offers competitive salaries and opportunities for growth. Experienced professionals, particularly those with in-demand skills like programming and network integration, can earn six-figure incomes. The industry also provides opportunities for advancement into specialized roles or management positions.
- Future-Proof Industry: The building automation industry is relatively future-proof, as buildings will always require systems to manage heating, cooling, lighting, and security. The continuous evolution of technology in this field highlights the importance of addressing the skilled labor shortage, ensuring a steady demand for professionals who can stay ahead of the curve.
Interested? We put together this guide for IT professionals outlining the similarities and differences with OT networks you should be aware of.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The industry needs to focus on attracting and training younger individuals to fill these roles and pass on the accumulated knowledge. There’s also a need to develop the next generation of building automation professionals with up-to-date skills. Existing workers should be provided with opportunities for continuous learning and development, with employers offering training programs to upgrade their employees’ skills and adapt to evolving technologies, ensuring a competent and agile workforce.
Our friends at Ace IoT Solutions recently discussed the topic of finding and upskilling talent on their podcast, Flight Logs. They discussed what roles need to be filled, what might be dead ends for those new to the industry, and the state of change taking place. Check it out now!
In the meantime, there’s several options available that can help both vendors and facilities to offset their labor shortfalls: looking outside specific roles in favor of a “master of all” consultant, leveraging the advantages of collaboration with your existing partners, and looking to automation and software solutions to not only bridge the gap, but supercharge existing teams with more efficiency and insights.
Looking to Master Systems Integrators (MSI)
As more IP-connected devices are installed in new builds and retrofits, the MSI has become a valuable addition to any project. As a specialized consultant, MSIs are responsible for coordinating all the OT subsystems within a building or facility to ensure seamless integration and optimal functionality.
It’s important to note, an MSI is NOT the same as working with a systems integrator (SI). SIs are the teams you work with on a regular basis, deployed to oversee and service a specific area of an OT network, whereas an MSI’s mandate is to deliver a complete and integrated network on the whole. MSIs are critical because modern buildings rely on interconnected systems that need to work together to avoid inefficiencies and high operational costs. By integrating these systems, MSIs centralize control, streamline operations, and enable better data management, resulting in cost savings and enhanced decision-making.
Want to learn more about MSIs, including how to find one and how to become one? We assembled The Ultimate Master Systems Integrator Guide just for you.
Leveraging The Power of Collaboration
As well, fostering collaboration between internal teams, external vendors, and systems integrators can help bridge this gap. By sharing expertise and resources, these partnerships help mitigate the impact of the skilled labor shortage, reducing the burden on individual professionals while ensuring essential systems remain operational and efficient.
Well-planned joint training sessions can equip internal staff with the expertise to handle routine network tasks, while external systems integrators can step in for more complex projects. This shared approach not only broadens the available talent pool but also builds a more resilient workforce by spreading critical knowledge across multiple parties.
In times of crisis, such as unexpected downtime or urgent repairs, collaborative response efforts become even more vital. Internal facilities teams and external partners can work together to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly, leveraging their combined experience to minimize delays and disruptions.
Software Solutions That Bridge The Gap
Software can play a vital role in mitigating the impact of labor shortages in building automation professions by improving efficiency, streamlining processes, and reducing the reliance on manual tasks. Advanced software can automate repetitive operations, such as system diagnostics, data collection, and reporting. By minimizing the need for hands-on intervention, these tools allow client service teams at system integrators, for example, to manage larger portfolios with less people, or on-site facilities staff to cut down on time spent troubleshooting repeat issues.
This is where solutions like OptigoVN are the key to building reliable and efficient support for your team’s work. Modern building systems generate vast amounts of data to process and transport. That demands an OT network at peak performance all the time. With the speed and traffic requirements of more advanced IP networks, a constellation of IoT devices to support, and unquestionably reliable reporting data, maintaining network health has become a far more important factor than ever in OT environments.
For that, you need network monitoring and management software built to keep you on top of issues long before they become potential emergencies. With OptigoVN, you can instantly assess your network health and pinpoint BACnet issues down to the device in seconds. No more manual decoding of packet captures, climbing ladders, or splitting networks. Take back your time from low-level tasks and move into a routine of preventive maintenance rather than a break/fix model.
Software with collaborative tools and processes can also further streamline operations and maximize efficiency. For instance, adopting advanced Site Scope+ add-ons for OptigoVN allows teams inside and outside a facility to monitor and manage network health collectively, ensuring that everyone involved has access to real-time data and insights. This transparency empowers teams to anticipate and address issues proactively, reducing the strain on individual workers and keeping the network running smoothly.
Ready to see what OptigoVN can do for your OT network? Contact us to schedule a demo or sign up for a free account to explore on your own today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Overcoming the Skilled Labor Shortage in Building Automation
1. Why is there a skilled labor shortage in building automation/OT networking?
The shortage is driven by two main factors:
- The retirement of experienced professionals, creating a significant knowledge gap.
- The rapid technological shift in building automation, requiring workers to have IT and networking skills that many have not been trained for.
2. How are IT and networking skills becoming more critical in building automation?
As building systems evolve, professionals need to understand IP-based networking, data analysis, and software applications. Legacy OT systems primarily controlled physical equipment, while modern systems rely on digital integration across smart building technologies.
3. Can professionals from the IT industry transition into OT and building automation?
Yes! Many skills from IT, such as programming, networking, and cybersecurity, are highly transferable. The industry offers job security, competitive salaries, and a future-proof career path as automation and smart building technologies continue to grow.
4. What steps can companies take to address the labor shortage?
Companies can:
- Invest in training programs to upskill existing employees.
- Develop partnerships with educational institutions to create specialized programs.
- Offer apprenticeships and mentorship opportunities to bring in new talent.
- Use software and automation tools to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on manual tasks.
5. What role do Master Systems Integrators (MSIs) play in addressing the labor gap?
MSIs help integrate and optimize building automation networks by coordinating all OT subsystems. Unlike traditional system integrators who focus on specific areas, MSIs ensure the entire network functions seamlessly, reducing inefficiencies and operational costs. This can help offset the lack of on-staff specialists.
7. How can collaboration between internal teams and external partners help mitigate the skills gap?
By fostering collaboration with systems integrators, vendors, and industry experts, organizations can distribute expertise, improve knowledge-sharing, and ensure smoother network management. Joint training sessions can also upskill internal teams, reducing reliance on external contractors for routine tasks.
8. How can software solutions help overcome the skilled labor shortage?
Software solutions like OptigoVN streamline network monitoring and troubleshooting, reducing the need for manual intervention. Features like Site Scope+ enable remote monitoring and collaboration, allowing teams to maintain network health more efficiently and with fewer resources.
9. What are the benefits of using OptigoVN for addressing labor shortages?
OptigoVN helps by:
- Automating network diagnostics, reducing manual troubleshooting time.
- Providing instant visibility into BACnet traffic and device issues.
- Enabling proactive maintenance, preventing costly downtime.
- Supporting collaboration through tools like Site Scope+, allowing teams to work together remotely.
10. Where can I learn more about training opportunities in building automation?
Organizations such as ASHRAE, BACnet International, and local trade schools offer courses and certifications. Additionally, podcasts like Flight Logs by Ace IoT Solutions discuss industry trends and upskilling opportunities.
FAQs are created with the assistance of generative AI
