training is going to depend on to what level you wish to go. It can be as simple as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) program that you take a couple of weeks to learn or as complicated as base code ( Haskell FROB, C, C++ to name a few ) which can take between 2 and 5 years to learn properly per language. The sky's the limit literally when it
comes to programming machines. I will make this suggestion; unless I'm mistaken C and it's variants is the most common language out there. It's a mid level language
between machine code (binary code) and GUI such as visual basic etc. You can learn this on your own as there are copious amounts of C books and other information
out there. With the code language, you'll need networking. That's a monster in itself.
Is what your considering easy? NO. Is it worth it? For a young person it's not only worth it, but will probably be necessary before your career life is over.
You can also get a head start that's a little fun. (which is the path I chose more moons ago that I care to admit) One of my hobbies is RC vehicles. Planes, trains, boats, subs, cars, if it moves I've built it for RC.
At the lower end of this is the walmart variant RC, at the upper end is the PC sim controlled RC. build a few higher end RC's and you'll find a lot of things transfer over to
automation(servos, encoders, linear actuators etc). Skills you learn building them, will lend themselves to what you wish to do. Consider this, if you can control a remote helo in flight from your PC station/laptop complete with video and audio feed, then what limitation is there on operation of remote welding? The principals are the same. Control of X,Y,Z axis via remote manipulation. A quick search on the net will reveal many technologies that already operation various devices remotely. (You can literally turn your coffee pot on from a blackberry on your way home) As said, the sky's the limit, it's up to the individual how far they want to take it.
In saying that, don't forget that knowing how to do it manually is in my opinion absolutely necessary. There are a lot of people who can push a button, but the number of people left who can make a decent GTAW weave, or burn a 7018 rod without butchering the work piece, is getting less and less by the year and day.
If you learn both ends well, your market value will very high indeed for the foreseeable future.
Therein is my two and half cents worth on the subject. I hope this helps you.
I have used orbital machines to fusion weld stainless steel tubing for over ten years. It is not rocket science, however, there is a formula to follow and even so-called "accepted" programs which have produced thousands of welds may not even be.......perfect. These type machines are used extensively in pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications. The FDA strictly regulates any products which are geared to be ingested or injected into the human body. Companies like:Wyeth, Genzyme, Astra-Zeneca, Pfizer, Smith-Kline-Glaxco (to name a few) spend millions each year to produce drugs which can help us live longer with a better quality of life. In most cases, fitters & welders put the systems that manufacture these drugs together, but orbital welding technology makes the welds.
There is a ton of paper work that goes into producing these systems such as: weld logs, coupon logs, MTR's and testing reports. Alot of money goes into engineering and designing these systems, but isn't it nice to know that the substance you are taking for whatever ailment you may have has been strictly scrutinized? American produced drugs are probably the best in the world for that very reason.
I have used other automated welding machines which have wire feeders, but use the GTAW process and while they don't get tired................they cannot be set up and walked away from as they can & do screw up. Plus you really need to know how to weld to even run one to fine tune them, IMO.
Until they get robots which can actually "think" then I 'd have to say you really need skilled welders and fitters to contruct anything because it don't just put itself together. IF you weld.....your job is probably safe unless you start messing up, IMO.
Be well,
Hawk