Modern SCADA definitely requires skills beyond PLC programming. PLCs are still the foundation for controlling equipment, but SCADA focuses on monitoring, visualization, communication, and data management across an entire system.
A well-rounded learning path usually includes:
Understanding industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, OPC UA, and Ethernet/IP. Learning HMI design to create clear operator interfaces. Working with SCADA software for alarms, trends, historical data, and reporting. Basic knowledge of industrial networking and system architecture. Some familiarity with databases and scripting, since many SCADA platforms support SQL or scripting for customization.
If you're aiming for real-world projects, it's helpful to build a small system where a PLC exchanges data with a SCADA application, displays live values, logs historical data, and generates alarms. That gives a much broader understanding than PLC programming alone.