This article discusses a collaborative program between schools with the purpose of training and providing advanced education in welding. Modern manufacturing is turning to automation to increase productivity, but it can be a great challenge to program robots and other computer-controlled welding and joining systems. Computer programming and automation is traditionally not taught in welder training programs, though a number of college technical programs are moving in this direction. Modern welding and joining also requires sophisticated inspection techniques. It is thus appropriate to train people in both traditional manual-skills welding, as well as in a more engineering-oriented welding technician path. An education collaborative program is therefore proposing a new "Welding and Materials-Joining Technicians" career path. The new path could be designed to be compatible with a pre-engineering curriculum, and the new technician program would become part of a three-pronged approach in welding trade and professional training. The return on investment to education will include development of methods and materials for welding and material-joining technician training, and a forum for interaction for educators in welding and material joining. Industry will be rewarded with technicians and engineers with a broad training in modern welding and material-joining technology.