Edmonds College Adds Free Robotics and AI Training Programs

A Washington community college just made high-tech careers accessible to anyone willing to learn, regardless of their background or bank account.

Edmonds College launched two groundbreaking programs in 2025: a Bachelor of Applied Science in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence and an eight-week certificate in Robotics in Manufacturing. The certificate program is completely free, funded entirely by federal grants, and requires zero prior experience.

Students in the certificate program learn robot maintenance and automation at the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center in Everett. The hands-on training prepares them for jobs in manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare, industries desperately seeking skilled workers.

The college already has a proven track record with its Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program, which launched in 2021. Since then, 106 of 112 students have graduated, a remarkable 93% completion rate. Nearly a quarter secured apprenticeships with higher wages, and half of participants are people of color.

That free construction program offers 300 hours of training over eight weeks, teaching electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, and ironwork. Graduates walk away with starter tools, work boots, hard hats, and even gas cards to help them get to job sites.

The robotics programs build on a strong foundation of STEM excellence in Snohomish County. Henry M. Jackson High School's robotics team, Jack-in-the-Bot, became the first Mill Creek team ever to win the FIRST Robotics Competition Global Championship in Houston in April 2025. They beat 3,700 teams from around the world with their robot "Spectre" in an ocean cleanup challenge.

The victory wasn't just about trophies. Mentor Andrea Riseden-Perry noted students earned college scholarships and boosted pride across the region.

The Ripple Effect

The impact extends far beyond individual students. In December 2025, 120 high school students from four local schools toured healthcare career stations at Edmonds College, exploring everything from CPR to dental techniques. After a similar tour in Everett earlier in the year, 97% of 273 participating students reported increased interest in healthcare careers.

The college partnered with Boeing, county government, and healthcare providers to address critical workforce shortages. The county also launched its first-ever high school maritime program in September 2025, training 10 students in vessel operations with credentials recognized by the US Coast Guard.

Washington's trade-related jobs account for over 60% of employment in Snohomish County, making these training programs essential for economic growth. The robotics certificate program already has a waitlist and holds weekly open houses for interested workers.

Students can pursue the bachelor's degree part-time through a hybrid format, making it possible to work while studying robotic design, machine learning, and collaborative systems. Free training programs like these prove that financial barriers don't have to block career advancement in high-demand tech fields.