Manufacturing Academy

Get The Skills Employers Require with Apprenticeship Preparation Training

Manufacturing Academy

Get The Skills Employers Require with Apprenticeship Preparation Training

Get Trained. Get Hired.

AJAC’s Manufacturing Academy is your first step into a hands-on, high-demand career in advanced manufacturing. This free pre-apprenticeship program gives you real experience working with tools, machines, and materials used by today’s manufacturers. In just a few weeks, you’ll build practical skills, earn industry-recognized certifications, and get connected to local employers who are ready to hire.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a fresh career path, the Manufacturing Academy can help you launch a future with long-term opportunity and growth.

Manufacturing Academy Application

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About the Manufacturing Academy

1,570

Students Served

Locations Statewide

Employment Rate

In 2011, AJAC developed the state’s first advanced manufacturing recognized apprenticeship preparation 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.

A Manufacturing Academy student uses a manual mill to machine a part during class.

Develop Skills. Earn Certifications.

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: Classroom learning takes place in person from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, students will complete independent study from home.
Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend each in-person class. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
Class Start Date: January 12 – March 19, 2026 | 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)

King County Manufacturing Academy

A Manufacturing Academy student uses a caliper to measure his part in the machine shop.

Bates Technical College

Structure of Program: Classroom learning takes place in person from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, students will complete independent study from home.
Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend each in-person class. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
Class Start Date: January 12 – March 17, 2026 | 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)

Pierce County Manufacturing Academy

Manufacturing Academy students uses a manual mill to create a machined part in class.

Snohomish County

Structure of Program: From Oct 1–30, classes are online Monday–Thursday with independent study on Fridays. From Nov 3–Dec 11, classes are in-person Monday–Thursday with independent study on Fridays.
Class Requirement: United States citizen, Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend each in-person class. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
Class Dates: October 1 – December 11, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
In-Person Location: Pathfinder Manufacturing (11400 Airport Rd. Everett, WA 98204)

Snohomish County Manufacturing Academy

Manufacturing Academy student learns manual machining with an instructor

Yakima County

Structure of Program: Classroom learning takes place in person from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, students will complete independent study from home.
Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend each in-person class. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
Class Dates: January 12 – March 18, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
Location: AJAC MA Classroom/Shop (215 N 3rd Ave Yakima, WA 98902)

Yakima County Manufacturing Academy

Student learns precision measuring during the Manufacturing Academy program.

Lacey MakerSpace

Structure of Program: Classroom learning takes place in person from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, students will complete independent study from home.
Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend each in-person class. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
Class Dates: September 24 – December 4, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
Location: Lacey MakerSpace (St. Martin’s University Campus, Zaverl Hall – Building 5 Baran Drive Southeast Lacey, WA 98503)

Lacey MakerSpace Manufacturing Academy

Students learn technical drawings during class

AMP Training

This workshop is a free two-day assessment, review, and referral designed to guide Washington State residents in their career path in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

Direct entry into AJAC’s Manufacturing Academy
Explore shop math, blueprint reading, safety, and precision measurement
Learn about manufacturing career opportunities in the local industry
Discuss job readiness to include soft skills, interview prep, and resume writing
Discover the pathways to apprenticeship and long-term careers in manufacturing

Class Dates: Next AMP Class TBD

Length of Class: 2 Days

Location: TBD

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

Nyck Davis

Manufacturing Academy Graduate

Blue Origin

Contact Us

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

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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.

This workforce training program receives partial support and funding from U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship: Building America grants. Read more about USDOL grant funding at esd.wa.gov/usdol.