Development of Low-Cost PLC Training Kit for Enhancing Industry-Relevant Skills and Certification: PLC-CertX

Abstract

The growing demand for automation skills necessitates the development of accessible training tools, particularly in developing countries with limited resources. This study presents the design, development, and evaluation of PLC-CertX, a low-cost training kit aimed at enhancing industry-relevant skills and certification among vocational and undergraduate students in Thailand. The research methodology applied developmental research, utilizing Richey and Klein’s Type I research procedure to guide the systematic process of analyzing, developing, and evaluating the kit. The study’s results identified three key findings: (1) The developed PLC-CertX training kit enables hands-on learning and provides practical experience in controlling and monitoring automation systems; (2) Expert evaluations from specialists in the industrial and educational sectors rated the kit with an overall mean score of 4.67 (SD = 0.45) in the ‘‘Very Good’’ category; and (3) A posttest-only cohort comparison revealed a 14.09% improvement in students’ average scores (Cohen’s d = 0.70). Additionally, the certification rate at the Skill Standard Testing Center, authorized by the Department of Skill Development, increased by 21.37% after using the kit. Thus, PLC-CertX is an effective and scalable solution for technical education in resource-constrained environments.