The diversification of the welding industry impacts virtually every industry around the globe. From the depth of the world’s oceans to the far-reaching corners of outer space, there is a welding position for every hardworking, ambitious, smart individual who is ready and willing to constantly improve and strive for excellence.

Anoka Technical College offers multiple options in Welding education, including a certificate and a degree in Robotic & Laser Welding. 

Nationallyaccredited Blk

Prepares students for AWS Certification

Handsoneducation Blk

Hands-on training from industry experts

Opportunities Blk

Work in a variety of industries

Potential Jobs:

  • Fabricator
  • Welder
  • Finishing Technician
  • Robot Operator

Salary Information:
Median Wage: $23.68
Top Earners: $30.80

Information provided is for Minnesota. See current data at careerwise.minnstate.edu.

Program Details

Program Details (pdf)

The Anoka Technical College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Robotic and Laser Welding is a 67-credit program designed for individuals seeking a well-rounded welding background. The Welding program consists of technical courses, specifically designed to develop exceptional welding skills utilizing the major welding processes that are vital to industry. This program will train students in fundamentals of ABB, Fanuc and OTC robot programming and language. The laser portion of this program will include development and documentation of procedures and qualification of welds, and the calibration of equipment for welding.

The degree program also offers a balance of general education courses to complement the welding courses and to provide students with opportunity to capitalize on a broad-based welding education.

  • Students will weld to visual acceptance criteria per applicable American Welding Society standards in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding and the Shielded Metal Arc Welding process.
  • Students will prepare weld joints and perform welding operations using welding symbol information.
  • Students will follow established procedures and policies regarding personal protective gear, shop safety and welding equipment.
  • Students will visually examine all work for discontinuities and defects with the knowledge of industry specification.
  • Students will work in a team environment and accept constructive criticism.
    Students will operate safely and proficiently using Oxy-fuel, Plasma and Carbon Air Arc equipment.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to weld to entry level standard per American Welding Society on carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
  • Demonstrate ability to operate robots and lasers safely.
  • Program robotic and arc welders.
  • Develop weld schedules and edit weld programs.
  • Program and cut parts using CNC laser cutting equipment.
  • Develop laser welding and programs.
  • Document results of weld procedure and qualification tests.

The diversification of the welding industry impacts virtually every industry around the globe. From the depth of the world’s oceans to the far-reaching corners of outer space, there is a welding position for every hardworking, ambitious, smart individual who is ready and willing to constantly improve and strive for excellence. A career choice in welding offers a vast array of options for employment and continuing personal development. Welding is the most common way to permanently join metal parts. Heat is applied to the pieces that are being joined, melting and fusing them together which forms a permanent bond.

With greater safety, improve productivity, and quality, the combination of robotics and laser, companies see an increase manufacturing speed, affordable materials, and better rates for their clients. This growing field will expand in many different areas including but not limited to automotive plants, machine shops, and global market.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Take a self-guided virtual tour of our campus to see what it's like to be a student at Anoka Tech. View program labs, common student spaces, campus offices and more. 

Virtual Tour

Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.

MnTC General Education Requirements

This program requires completion of the following fifteen credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Refer to the MnTC course list for elective courses:

Course Number Course Title Credits
MATH 1500  Mathematical Ideas (Goal 4) 3
 MnTC Electives   12

Program Sequence

First Semester (Basic Welding Certificate)  17
 WELD 1002  Math for Welders
1
 WELD 1004  Oxy-Fuel Applications
1
 WELD 1006  Oxy-Fuel Processes
1
WELD 1008  Blueprint Reading I
2
 WELD 1012  Processes and Power Sources I
3
 WELD 1014  Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I
3
 WELD 1016  Gas Metal Arc Welding I
3
 WELD 1018  Shielded Metal Arc Welding I
3
Second Semester (Welding Technology Diploma) 17
WELD 1022  Blueprint Reading II
3
 WELD 1024  Metal Theory I
2
 WELD 1026  Processes and Power Sources II
3
 WELD 1028  Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II
3
 WELD 1034  Gas Metal Arc Welding II
3
 WELD 1036  Shielded Metal Arc Welding II
3
Third Semester (Robotic and Laser Welding certificate)  18
WELD 2006  Welding Code Interpretation
2
 WELD 2100  Laser Cutting
2
 WELD 2110  Laser Welding
4
 WELD 2120  Welding Procedures 
1
 WELD 2130  Fanuc Robotics
3
 WELD 2140  ABB Robotics 3
 WELD 2150  OTC Robotics 3
Fourth Semester 15
MATH 1500 Mathematical Ideas 3
MnTC Electives   12

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

The Welding program not only provides students with a thorough background in welding and related theory, but also prepares students with the knowledge and skills need to take a national certification examination.

  • American Welding Society’s (AWS) Welding Code
  • Certified Robotic Welding Certification (CRAW)

Welding 
AAS degree, Diploma, Certificate

Welding Fabricator
Certificate

Pipe Welder
Certificate

Faculty

Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710

Current Students

REGISTER FOR CLASSES

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

Apply to Graduate

Robotic and laser welding careers are expected to grow at a substantial rate in the coming years.

The Robotic & Laser Welding certificate program at Anoka Technical College focuses on robot and laser safety, programming and operation. The certificate trains students in the fundamentals of ABB, Fanuc and OTC robot programming and language. 

This certificate builds upon the other Welding programs offered at Anoka Tech.

Nationallyaccredited Blk

Prepares students for AWS Certification

Handsoneducation Blk

Hands-on training from industry experts

Opportunities Blk

Work in a variety of industries

Potential Jobs:

  • Fabricator
  • Welder
  • Finishing Technician
  • Robot Operator

Salary Information:
Median Wage: $23.68
Top Earners: $30.80

Information provided is for Minnesota. See current data at careerwise.minnstate.edu.

Program Details

Program Details (pdf)

The Robotic and Laser Welding certificate program focuses on robot and laser safety, programming, and operation. The certificate trains students in the fundamentals of ABB, Fanuc and OTC robot programming and language. Laser welding includes the development and documentation of procedures and qualification of welds, and the calibration of equipment for welding. Laser cutting focuses on creating programs using CNC laser cutting equipment.

This certificate builds upon the other welding programs at Anoka Technical College.

  1. Demonstrate ability to operate robots and lasers safely.
  2. Program robotic arc welders.
  3. Develop weld schedules and edit weld programs.
  4. Program and cut parts using CNC laser cutting equipment.
  5. Develop Laser welding and programs.
  6. Document results of weld procedure and qualification tests.

Robotic and laser welding is expected to grow at a substantial rate in the coming years. Contributing factors to this growth includes demand for greater safety, improve productivity, and quality. With the combination of robotics and lasers, companies see an increased manufacturing speed, affordable materials, and better rates for their clients. This growing field will expand in many different areas including but not limited to automotive plants, machine shops, and global market.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The Welding program not only provides students with a thorough background in welding and related theory, but also prepares students with the knowledge and skills need to take a national certification examination.

  • American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Robotic Welding Certification (CRAW)

Take a self-guided virtual tour of our campus to see what it's like to be a student at Anoka Tech. View program labs, common student spaces, campus offices and more. 

Virtual Tour

Successfully completion of the  Basic Welding certificate or have instructor approval.

Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.

Program Sequence

 First Semester
18
 WELD 2006  Welding Code Interpretation
2
 WELD 2100  Laser Cutting
2
 WELD 2110  Laser Welding
4
 WELD 2120  Welding Procedures
1
 WELD 2130  Fanuc Robotics 3
 WELD 2140  ABB Robotics 3
 WELD 2150  OTC Robotics 3

Welding 
AAS degree, Diploma, Certificate

Welding Fabricator
Certificate

Pipe Welder
Certificate

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

Faculty

Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710

Current Students

REGISTER FOR CLASSES

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

Apply to Graduate

Start Dates:

Fall semester: August
Spring semester: January

Upcoming Events:

Important Dates:

Contact

Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710

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