About the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee

Pre-Employment Training

AJAC has partnered with King and Pierce Counties to offer training in the skilled manufacturing and aerospace trades. In this program students are gaining the skills, knowledge, competencies and certifications required to secure entry-level employment. This pre-employment program is a unique opportunity that directly connects students with employers and provides them with the skills and training needed to be competitive in the job market.

"It's not about getting jobs, it's about starting a career with longevity. . . employers gain a well-qualified and motivated prospective applicant pool. We're building the workforce to support growth and innovation within the industry." Shannon Matson, AJAC Project Coordinator

This pre-employment training program has three components:

  • Soft Skills
    • Effective communication
    • Conflict resolution
    • Resume writing
    • Job search
    • Interviewing
    • Overcoming barriers to employment

  • Hard Skills
    • Math – Basic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry
    • Applied physics and electrical
    • Lean and Green training: Six Sigma and Lean English Essentials (LEE)
    • Manufacturing related training, which encompasses a variety of hands-on projects, utilizing common industry tools
    • Safety training
    • Sheet metal
    • Soldering and welding
    • Scissor lift
    • Composites
    • Blue print reading, technical drawings and job plans
    • Certifications in First Aid/CPR, OSHA 10, MSDS, flagging, and forklifts

  • Networking and Connecting with Employers
    • Interviewing
    • Company Tours


This pre-employment training program helps students get on the path to a great career as a machinist, aircraft mechanic, composite technician, etc., and many will go into apprenticeship.

After pre-employment training, the next steps are:

  • Securing employment to develop the skills needed for apprenticeship
    • Shop assistant
    • Helper
    • Tool room/tool crib assistant

  • Continuing education about the chosen trade
    • Learning the language of the trade
    • Taking additional classes

  • Preparing for apprenticeship
    • Math skills
    • English/Verbal skills
    • Mechanical aptitude

  • Volunteer Work
    • Becoming comfortable with manual labor
    • Developing your skills with tools and measurements
    • Learning Quality Control, fit & finish
    • Learning to work as a teamh