About the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee

There is a shortage of skilled workers in the aerospace industry and, as more workers retire, the trend is growing. To address this issue, Washington State has budgeted to develop on-the-job training programs to instruct workers in the aerospace industry. These training programs are in the form of Washington State aerospace apprenticeship programs.

The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) was born out of this initiative to manage and facilitate the development and growth of registered aerospace and advanced manufacturing apprenticeship programs in Washington State. AJAC designs, develops, and implements these apprenticeship programs for multiple aerospace and manufacturing occupations. The AJAC committee is comprised of industry employers, employees, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and has equal representation from the different segments of the aerospace industry.

The aerospace and advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeship programs offered by AJAC are statewide initiatives. AJAC offices are located in Seattle and Spokane; however, apprenticeship programs can be created in any part of Washington State. Current programs reside in the greater Seattle, Tacoma, Everett/Snohomish, and Spokane areas.

AJAC strives to create a circle of learning that establishes solid training and careers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. This leads a young person (K-12) from introduction to aerospace and manufacturing to pre-apprenticeship, internship, apprenticeship, mentorship, and finally to trades instruction.