Manufacturing Academy

Get The Skills Employers Require with Pre-Apprenticeship Training

Manufacturing Academy

Get The Skills Employers Require with Pre-Apprenticeship Training

Manufacturing Academy Logo

Get Trained. Get Hired.

The Manufacturing Academy (MA), developed by AJAC, is a registered Pre-Apprenticeship training program through Washington State. This program offers a solid foundational career pathway into aerospace and advanced manufacturing apprenticeship opportunities.

Upon completion, students will have the basic foundational skills to find gainful entry-level employment and may meet the minimum qualifications to pursue additional career pathways in advanced manufacturing through AJAC’s portfolio of apprenticeship programs.

AJAC Manufacturing Academy Learn More

About the Manufacturing Academy

1,570
Students Served
6
Locations Statewide
92
%
Employment Rate

In 2011, AJAC developed the state’s first advanced manufacturing registered pre-apprenticeship program, Manufacturing Academy (MA).

AJAC operates the Manufacturing Academy at no-cost through grant funding that focuses on encouraging women, people of color, displaced workers, and low-income individuals to develop manufacturing skills and obtain living wage jobs.

MA changes people’s lives by providing them with skills and connections needed to access the thousands of job openings across the region in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors; it also helps address hiring needs of employers who struggle to fill entry and mid-level job openings.

Manufacturing Academy pre-apprenticeship students use power tools in class

Develop Skills. Earn Certifications.

Skills and certificates earned in an AJAC pre-apprenticeship program

Develop skills to succeed in the industry including:

  • Math for manufacturing.
  • Blueprint reading.
  • Lean manufacturing.
  • Effective communication.
  • Resume writing.
  • Interviewing and job application assistance.
  • Training from industry professionals, while earning college credits.
  • Tour local advanced manufacturing companies (pending company approval).
  • Obtain insight about career pathways; including education and apprenticeship opportunities.
  • Receive an industry-recognized certificate of completion.

Manufacturing Academy Locations

Students learn precision measuring during AJAC training

South Seattle College

  • Structure of Program: In-Person Classroom Offered for Spring 2024
  • Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, Ability to attend class in person M-F. Complete all application paperwork.
  • Orientation Date: Spring 2024 cohort will meet in person and complete an orientation and finalize paperwork first day of class.
  • Class Start Date: April 3 – June 12, 2024 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
  • Location: South Seattle College—Georgetown Campus (6737 Corson Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108)
South Seattle College Manufacturing Academy
Manufacturing Academy apprentices learning

Bates Technical College

  • Structure of Program: In-Person Classroom Offered for Spring 2024
  • Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, Ability to attend class in person M-F. Complete all application paperwork.
  • Class Start Date: April 2 – June 6, 2024 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
  • Location: Bates Technical College—Downtown Campus (1101 S. Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405)
Bates Technical College Manufacturing Academy
Washington Corrections Center for Women apprentice learns precision measuring

Correctional Industries

  • Structure of Program: In-Person Learning
  • Class Requirement: This class is only available to individuals in the Correctional Industries.
  • Length of Program: 12 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
  • Locations: Correctional Industries across Washington State
Correctional Industries Manufacturing Academy
Students learn technical drawings during class

Green River College

  • Structure of Program: In-Person Learning for Spring 2024
  • Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, Ability to attend class in person M-F. Complete all application paperwork.
  • Class Start Date: April 2 – June 13
  • Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
  • Time: 8am – 12pm
  • Location: Green River Community College Kent Campus
Green River College Manufacturing Academy
Juvenile Rehabilitation apprentice Measuring

Juvenile Rehabilitation

  • Structure of Program: In-Person Learning
  • Class Requirement: This class is only available to Department of Children, Youth & Families Juvenile Rehabilitation students.
  • Length of Program: 12 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
  • Location: Bates Technical College (Downtown Campus)
Juvenile Rehabilitation Manufacturing Academy
Truman High School AJAC apprentice making copper pipe

Truman High School | Boys & Girls Club

  • Structure of Program: In-Person Classroom Offered for Spring 2023
  • Class Requirement: Only available to Federal Way Public Schools students
  • Class Start Date: January 2024 – March 2024 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Length of Program: 12 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
  • Location: Ron Sandwith Teen Center
Truman High School Manufacturing Academy

From Manufacturing Academy to Blue Origin

I applied to eight or nine different positions and eventually landed on apprentice machinist. Luckily, it was announced the last week of class that Blue Origin is now a sponsor of the AJAC program. Timing wise, I got extremely lucky and I ended up landing the apprentice machinist job.

View Story
Manufacturing Academy Author

Nyck Davis

Manufacturing Academy Graduate

Blue Origin

Contact Us

Have a question about our Manufacturing Academy program? Send us an email below!

Lifelong Career Training

AJAC’s training programs offer job seekers and incumbent workers an opportunity to advance their skill development from one level to the next. Credentials earned in AJACs program can accumulate over time to fast-track an individuals career pathway to greater employment opportunities and higher paying jobs.

Advance Your Career One Level at a Time

Equal Opportunity | Equal Access

Training of all those served shall be without discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or as otherwise specified by law. AJAC also encourages women, minorities and veterans to apply with their employer.

Video Attribution: A special thanks to Seattle College Cable TV for providing AJAC with footage of the Manufacturing Academy program.