What skills do I need for smart home, EIB and PLC automation work?

Hey!
I’m studying AiR and I’ve recently become interested in smart homes, the EIB system and similar topics . I’m really hooked on it and would like to pursue this professionally in the future... So I have a question: what skills do I need to have to work in this field in the future? Lately, I’ve been spending my evenings learning about PLC controllers, but I recently read somewhere that knowledge of, for example, designing low-voltage switchgear using CAD/CAE software, and designing automation and control systems using CAD/CAE software, is essential for this. Please share some info and point me in the right direction:) I’m sure there are plenty of people here who work in this field… thanks in advance:)

Which faculty are you studying at?

At the Faculty of Electronics, Wroclaw University of Technology

So, "at my place"

Don’t worry, they’ll teach you everything; there’s the EKSA Research Society. Their website’s down at the moment, but on the third floor of C3 you’ll find their display case and contact details for members – I think they’ll be right up your street.

I managed to get hold of this information:
"EKSA Research Club meetings will take place on Thursdays in odd-numbered weeks at 5.00 pm in room 209 of building C-3"

You definitely should be able to design low-voltage switchboards. You might also want to consider becoming an EIB partner;
by the way, do visit http://vbass.pl – everything will be up and running soon; the articles are mostly written and have been sent for approval

You should learn how to design low-voltage switchgear; I’m also studying A and R at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
but you really ought to familiarise yourself with the individual EIB modules and their capabilities, as they’re absolutely vast. Best regards

Do you know if there’s any free software available for designing these switchgear assemblies? I’m sure you can find technical literature on the subject, but is there any free CAD/CAE software?