Collin College grant award to expand robotic welding certification opportunities

A grant from the National Science Foundation will allow Collin College to develop a robotic welding curriculum.

The new curriculum will benefit not only College College students, but area-wide industries that need automated welding technicians as well as welding students across the country if the curriculum is widely adopted, according to a Sept. 12 press release.

The three-year, $446,852 Advanced Technological Education grant will also fund specialized faculty training and equipment purchases.

“The college is thankful for the opportunity to help shape the future of robotic welding training, and I am excited for the curriculum-building process to begin,” Collin College District President Neil Matkin said in the release. “This is an exciting, growing field within manufacturing, and I believe the training that develops out of this grant will serve as a crucial resource for students and the community.”

A closer look

The curriculum will enhance the college’s existing robotic welding curriculum to include simulated and hands-on activities with FANUC-certified robotic welding processes. FANUC is a leading supplier of industrial robotics and automation equipment, the release stated.

Objectives of the grant include providing students with the opportunity to attain certifications and aligning curriculum with industry needs.

“Technicians skilled in manual welding and FANUC-certified in robotic welding will offer potential employers a broader range of abilities,” Collin College professor Landon LaRocque said in the release. “The additional skills will increase the technician’s value and provide an impetus for companies to consider expanding robotic welding processes because a highly skilled workforce is available to them.”