Employers
Skilled workers for the aviation industry are not something the industry can buy, but something the industry can and must create. It is imperative that the aviation industry captures the knowledge and skills of its best workers and passes it on to a new generation of employees. The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) apprenticeship model is one of the best on-the-job training methods to create a new generation of aviation industry employees.
What training will be given?
We are a commercial supplier or job shop who has some aviation customers. Can we take advantage of your program?
We are a small aviation company. Can we get involved?
We are a large aviation company with great needs. How can you help us?
Who is eligible to be a part of the aerospace apprenticeship programs?
When I hear the word apprenticeship, I think of union apprenticeships. Are apprenticeship programs for companies where machinists belong to the union?
What training will be given?
The aviation industry has been surveyed to find out their greatest area of need. AJAC has developed the following apprenticeship programs:
- Aircraft Mechanic Airframe
- Composite Manufacturing Specialist
- Industrial Controls Technician
- Machinist
- Machinist (Aircraft Oriented)
- Maintenance Machinist
- Maintenance Machinist (Aircraft Oriented)
- Outside Marine Machinist
- Tool and Die Maker
Due to industry interest, we are currently developing an apprenticeship program for Avionics and Electric Assembly. If there is enough need, we can create apprenticeship programs for almost any trade. Let us know the aviation training programs you need.
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We are a commercial supplier or job shop who has some aviation customers. Can we take advantage of your program?
Yes! We provide our training programs to organizations linked in a variety of ways to aerospace and/or aviation. If you produce parts for aviation or have aviation customers, you will most likely be eligible to participate in our aviation training programs. Please contact an AJAC representative to verify your ability to participate.
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We are a small aviation company. Can we get involved?
Yes! We are currently recruiting small companies of 15 employees or less to participate in co-op aviation training programs with other small companies. As we facilitate these partnerships, we will identify common needs among these employers and structure an aviation apprenticeship program that can be attended by employees from multiple companies.
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We are a large aviation company with great needs. How can you help us?
Some aviation companies are large enough to sustain one or more programs that work with only their employees. Fifteen or more aviation apprentices would fill an entire class. The instructor and classroom instruction would be provided by your local community college.
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Who is eligible to be a part of the aerospace apprenticeship programs?
Aviation apprenticeship programs are available to any Washington State company in the aviation industry and its suppliers.
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When I hear the word apprenticeship, I think of union apprenticeships. Are apprenticeship programs for companies where machinists belong to the union?
In Washington State, apprenticeship programs may or may not involve the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) union. All apprenticeship programs are open to companies with IAM union labor and those without. It makes no difference to the apprenticeship program.
Apprenticeship programs are the key to creating, recruiting and retaining a highly skilled and productive workforce.
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