AEST – Automation Engineering Survival Training
2026-06-01 08:00 - 2026-06-05 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Kenexis, 15995 N Barkers Lndg Rd Ste 143 Houston, TX 77079-2418, Houston, TX, 77079-2418, United States
Course Overview
Automation Engineering Survival Training (AEST) is an intensive technical boot camp designed to build and strengthen core skills in process automation engineering. The course combines expert-led instruction with applied exercises to cover the full automation lifecycle, from measurement fundamentals to advanced automation concepts.
AEST is ideal for new automation engineers, recent graduates, and experienced engineers seeking to refresh and solidify their understanding of process control, safety, networking, and automation project execution.
Course Details
Course #: AEST
Dates: June 01–05
Length: 4.5 days
Hours:
• Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
CEUs: 3.6
Location: Houston, TX
Certificate: Certificate of completion provided
Who Should Take AEST
– New automation, control system, or process control engineers
– Recent engineering graduates
– Engineers transitioning into automation roles
– Experienced engineers seeking a structured refresher in process automation
Course Learning Objectives
– Understand the role of measurement and control in industrial processes
– Interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, and ISA symbols
– Apply PID control concepts and tuning methods- Understand control valve operation and sizing
– Apply alarm management and safety system principles
– Understand industrial networking and cybersecurity fundamentals
– Apply automation project management concepts
Daily Course Structure
Day 1 – Measurement Basics & Documentation
Day 2 – Control Valves & Control Strategies
Day 3 – Safety & Operator Effectiveness
Day 4 – Industrial Security & Project Management
Day 5 – Advanced Process Automation
Day One – Measurement Basics & Documentation
Covers process control fundamentals, continuous vs. batch control, ISA documentation standards, P&IDs, loop
diagrams, and principles of temperature, pressure, level, and flow measurement.
Day Two – Control Valves & Control Strategies
Focuses on control valve types and sizing, PID control concepts, tuning methods, and identifying real-world control
challenges.
Day Three – Safety & Operator Effectiveness
Introduces HMI design, alarm management, safety instrumented systems, hazard classification, and principles of
protection.
Day Four – Industrial Security & Project Management
Covers industrial networking fundamentals, Ethernet and TCP/IP basics, cybersecurity awareness, ISA-95
concepts, and automation project management principles.
Day Five – Advanced Process Automation
Explores batch control concepts, ISA-88 models, automation opportunity identification, system integration, and
automation project justification.
Hands-On Exercises
– Interpreting P&IDs and loop diagrams
– Control valve sizing and selection exercises
– PID tuning using simulation tools
– Alarm prioritization and safety analysis
– Automation project planning and scheduling exercises
Recommended Reading
Successful Instrumentation and Control Systems Design by Michael D. Whitt
Basic and Advanced Regulatory Control by Harold L. Wade
Measurement and Control Basics by Thomas A. Hughes
Safety Instrumented Systems: A Life-Cycle Approach by Paul Gruhn
