A free, noncredit robotics and automation program will be offered next year at NECC.

Northern Essex Community College is holding information sessions October 30, November 20, and December 11, for individuals to learn about a seven-week, 140-hour  Robotics & Automation Training Program that begins this winter.

The grant-funded, noncredit program is free to qualified applicants.

The information sessions, which are free and open to the public, will be held at the Greater Lawrence Technical School, (GLTS) 57 River Road, Andover, at 4 p.m. The program, which is designed for unemployed and underemployed individuals (ages 17 to 29) with the minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, runs from January 21 through March 13, Mondays through Thursdays, 4 to 9 p.m. at GLTS.

The program is ideal for anyone with mechanical, electrical, IT or manufacturing skills or experience.

This program introduces the concepts and technology used in modern manufacturing environments. Students learn fundamental skills that will help them gain employment as a manufacturing technician or related position and prepare them for the specific training required by manufacturing companies running automated equipment. The program includes online modules as well as hands-on activities using training equipment. The concepts and skills presented during the program are relevant to setup, programming, running and troubleshooting automated equipment and industrial robots.

Students who successfully complete the robotics portion of the program by passing the online modules, hands-on labs and final exam, will receive the FANUC CERT “Handling Tool Operations and Programming” Cert Level I.

The program, offered through NECC’s Center for Corporate and Community Education,  is sponsored by a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. For additional information, or to register for one of the information nights, call 978-556-3067 or 978-722-7054.