Quick Facts

• Location: Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
• Address: 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
• School Type: Public Technical College / Minnesota State
• Programs Offered: Welding & Metal Fabrication, Automotive Technology, Auto Body Collision, CNC Machining, HVAC, Plumbing, Facilities Maintenance, Automation Robotics, Carpentry, Cabinetmaking, Tool & Die/Moldmaking and more
• Training Style: Hands-on technical labs with certificates, diplomas and AAS degrees
• Tuition Range: 2026–27 standard tuition and fees $225.67/credit; trade-specific rates vary, including Welding $258.74/credit, HVAC $233.34, Automotive $235.22, Plumbing $230.10 and CNC Machining $241.96
• Program Length: Short certificates through approximately 2-year AAS pathways
• Online Programs Available: Yes, selected programs and courses
• Hybrid Learning: Yes, selected programs; core trades are primarily hands-on
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, grants, loans, scholarships and WIOA support for qualifying students/programs
• Class Options: Daytime and evening options available for many trades
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.1 (138 Reviews)
• Website: Official Hennepin Technical College website

Overview

Hennepin Technical College is one of the most important schools to include—and feature prominently—on your Minnesota page. It describes itself as Minnesota’s largest stand-alone technical college and offers more than 40 career programs across its Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie campuses.

The Brooklyn Park campus is especially strong for skilled trades. Students can train in welding, automotive technology, CNC machining, automation/robotics, HVAC, plumbing, facilities maintenance, cabinetmaking and other technical fields. Many programs have both daytime and evening schedules, making Hennepin Tech particularly useful for working adults.

Programs Offered

Major Brooklyn Park trade programs include:

• Welding & Metal Fabrication
• Automotive Technology
• Auto Body Collision Technology
• CNC Machining
• Automation Robotics Engineering Technology
• HVAC
• Plumbing
• Facilities Maintenance
• Cabinetmaking & Wood Product Design
• Engineering CAD Technology
• Tool & Die/Moldmaking

Welding & Metal Fabrication

Hennepin Tech’s Welding and Metal Fabrication program is available at Brooklyn Park during both the day and evening, with fall, spring and summer starts.

Students receive hands-on instruction in:

• MIG/GMAW
• TIG/GTAW
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding
• Flux-Cored Arc Welding
• Plasma arc processes
• Metal fabrication
• Robotic welding

Award options currently include:

• Welding Diploma
• GMAW Production Welder certificate
• GTAW Production Welder certificate
• Structural Iron Fabrication & Repair certificate
• Robotic Arc Welding certificate

The program is affiliated with the American Welding Society and includes training on automated/robotic welding systems.

Automotive Technology

Automotive Technology is available at Brooklyn Park in day and evening formats and leads to certificate, diploma or AAS credentials.

Training includes diagnosis and repair of:

• Engines
• Transmissions
• Differentials
• Brakes
• Steering and suspension
• Air conditioning
• Fuel systems
• Emission controls
• Ignition/electrical systems

The two-year associate pathway is designed to prepare graduates for ASE testing and broader automotive-service careers.

CNC, Automation & Manufacturing

Brooklyn Park is also home to CNC Machining and Automation Robotics Engineering Technology. CNC has daytime and evening options, while Automation Robotics is offered at both Hennepin Tech campuses.

These are particularly relevant for students interested in:

• CNC machining
• Precision manufacturing
• Industrial automation
• Robotics
• Tool and die work
• Manufacturing engineering support

Facilities Maintenance

Hennepin Tech launched its Facilities Maintenance program in 2025 to address demand for workers who maintain commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. Training covers HVAC systems, plumbing, carpentry, hydraulics, pneumatics, industrial electricity, welding, motor controls and OSHA safety.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Hennepin Tech’s 2026–27 standard tuition is $202.32 per credit, with standard fees bringing the typical total to $225.67 per credit.

Several trades have differential rates that already include tuition and fees:

• Plumbing — $230.10/credit
• HVAC — $233.34/credit
• Automotive — $235.22/credit
• CNC Machining — $241.96/credit
• Auto Body — $243.35/credit
• Construction Electrician — $246.94/credit
• Automation Robotics — $255.19/credit
• Welding — $258.74/credit

Books, tools, equipment and special course fees can add substantially to total cost.

Federal financial aid is available for qualifying students and programs, and several programs are also authorized for workforce assistance through WIOA.

Why Students Choose This School

• One of Minnesota’s largest concentrations of skilled-trade programs
• Strong welding and fabrication training
• Automotive and collision-repair programs
• HVAC and plumbing pathways
• CNC machining and robotics
• Day and evening schedules
• Certificate, diploma and AAS options
• Public technical-college tuition
• Extensive hands-on training

Career Opportunities

Depending on program, graduates may pursue entry-level positions such as:

• Welder/Fabricator
• Automotive Technician
• Collision Repair Technician
• CNC Machinist
• HVAC Technician
• Plumbing Apprentice
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Automation/Robotics Technician
• Tool & Die Technician
• Facilities Maintenance Technician

Licensing or apprenticeship requirements may apply to occupations such as plumbing and electrical work.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.1 (138 Reviews)

Because Hennepin Tech has two campuses and dozens of programs, students should prioritize reviews discussing their specific program and campus.

Enrollment Tips

Check the campus and schedule before applying. Not every Hennepin Tech program is offered at both locations.

For example, Welding and CNC Machining are currently centered at Brooklyn Park, while Carpentry has Brooklyn Park evening and Eden Prairie daytime options.

Students should also budget for tools. Automotive students, for example, may spend roughly $500–$5,000 on tools depending on what they already own and what they purchase.

Bottom Line

Hennepin Technical College should be a top featured school on TradeSchoolScout’s Minnesota page. Few Minnesota institutions match its combination of welding, automotive, HVAC, plumbing, CNC machining, automation, facilities maintenance and other hands-on technical programs. Its 2026–27 trade tuition generally falls in the low-to-mid $200s per credit, and multiple certificate, diploma and AAS pathways give students flexibility in how long they train.