Apprenticeship for Employers

Workforce Training Solutions

Apprenticeship for Employers

Workforce Training Solutions

Washington’s #1 Manufacturing Apprenticeship Partner

AJAC is Washington State’s largest nonprofit training organization dedicated to advancing the next generation of manufacturing talent. For over 16 years, AJAC has delivered registered apprenticeships in 17 advanced manufacturing occupations—custom-built to fit real-world production environments.

We partner with over 350 employers statewide to deliver no-cost, college-accredited, on-the-job training and classroom instruction led by current industry professionals. AJAC’s apprenticeship programs boost productivity, increase retention, and generate a measurable return on investment. We have helped more than 2,000 workers build skilled careers through our apprenticeship programs.

Forget hunting for unicorn hires—AJAC helps you build them in-house.

Partnership Benefits

Employer Benefits

No-cost to partner with AJAC and offer apprenticeship to your employees
AJAC handles majority of the paperwork to comply with state regulations
Programs available to all employers regardless of company size, sub-sector, or union affiliation.
Training customized to your needs, on your equipment, using your work processes.
College-accredited classes for your apprentices.
Hiring pipelines to fill entry-level positions including high school students and veterans.
Grant funding available to employers and apprentices.
Subject Matter Expert consultations.

Value of Apprenticeship

6 Reasons Why Apprenticeship Works

In today’s competitive job market, employers are increasingly recognizing the value of investing in apprenticeship programs. These programs offer a unique opportunity to develop a highly skilled and loyal workforce tailored to meet specific industry needs.

Skilled Workforce Development: Apprenticeships help employers develop a highly skilled workforce tailored to their specific needs and industry standards.
Increased Productivity: Apprenticeships can lead to increased productivity as apprentices are trained to perform tasks efficiently and effectively under the guidance of experienced mentors.
Employee Retention: Apprenticeships often lead to higher employee retention rates as apprentices are more likely to stay with a company that has invested in their training and development.
Reduced Hiring Costs: By training apprentices internally, employers can reduce the costs associated with recruiting and hiring experienced workers from outside the company.
Enhanced Innovation: Apprentices bring fresh perspectives and new ideas, which can foster innovation and improvements within the company.
Improved Employee Morale: Investing in employee development through apprenticeships can boost overall employee morale and job satisfaction, leading to a more motivated and engaged workforce.

Send Us Your Question About Apprenticeship

Apprentice performing industrial maintenance duties while employed at a food processing company

Recruit. Train. Retain.

As Washington State’s largest non-profit advanced manufacturing training organization, AJAC offers apprenticeship training at little to no cost, to all employers in the manufacturing industry.

AJAC uses a variety of training models capturing the fundamental skills required across many industries to match your employment needs from Entry-Level through highly skilled Journey-Level workers.

With advancements in machinery and automation, we address the needs across assembly, production, processing, machine automation, machine operations and maintenance; from raw materials whether they are grown or mined, to finished goods.

What is a Registered Apprenticeship?

Washington State funded the creation AJAC, an advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program, to offer Washington State employers a proven method to capture the knowledge and skills of their most experienced tradespeople and pass it on to the next generation of productive employees.

Employers interested in offering these training opportunities to their incumbent workforce partner with AJAC to serve as ‘training agents,’ where the vast majority of the apprenticeship training occurs (93% on the job, 7% in the classroom).

Employer Perspectives on Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship benefits: classroom instruction + on-the-job-training + wage progression = skilled and certified workforce

Training Locations

304

Partnering Employers

College Partners

Key Industries We Serve

Automation and machinery industry apprentice training

Automation & Machinery

Space

Aerospace & Defense

Computer Electronics

Chemicals & Plastics

Medical

Clean Energy

Apprenticeships for the food and beverage industry

Food & Beverage

Apprenticeships for the transportation and logistics industries

Transportation & Logistics

Apprenticeships for the wood and paper industries

Wood & Paper

Maritime Manufacturing

AJAC's Suite of Programs

Entry-Level Training

AJAC supports our participating employers with innovative signature training, cutting-edge industry-proven curriculum and highly effective trained instructors. AJAC’s model provides the path for you to source your next Entry-Level workers without the traditional cost burden to the employers. Our goal is to provide exceptional, responsive, cost-effective training programs to bring the next generation of manufacturers to industry.

Entry-Level Programs We Offer:

Youth Apprenticeships

Entry-Level Apprenticeships

Advanced Apprenticeships

AJAC’s dynamic workforce retention solutions are focused on transferring your occupational and collective knowledge to your next generation of leaders. We provide the training compliance process—facilitating the development of your internal candidates for future leadership roles—creating retention for your success and growth.

Advanced Apprenticeships We Offer:

Advanced Apprenticeships

Steps to Becoming an Apprenticeship Partner

AJAC works as your partner in moving the following steps to adoption. From consulting on OJT design, mentorship training, to hiring qualified adults and local youth—AJAC staff will guide you through this process.

Get buy-in from leadership and supervisors to launch an AJAC apprenticeship at your company.

Sign a Training Agent agreement and become an official apprenticeship training provider.

Identify an apprenticeship coordinator to be the main point-of-contact for all apprenticeship-related activities

With AJAC's guidance, develop internal policies to recruit, train, and support your apprentices.

Identify the journey-level workers who will train the apprentices on-the-job.

Recruit your employees who want to advance their careers and skill up through apprenticeship.

Steps to Becoming an Apprenticeship Partner

Get buy-in from leadership and supervisors to launch an AJAC apprenticeship at your company.

Sign a Training Agent agreement and become an official apprenticeship training provider.

Identify an apprenticeship coordinator to be the main point-of-contact for all apprenticeship-related activities

With AJAC’s guidance, develop internal policies to recruit, train, and support your apprentices.

Identify the journey-level workers who will train the apprentices on-the-job.

Recruit your employees who want to advance their careers and skill up through apprenticeship.

OJT Work Processes

On-the-job (OJT) training makes up 93% of an apprentices experience in apprenticeship. AJAC tracks these hours to confirm that the apprentices are rotated to ensure they get comprehensive training.

Each month apprentices track and report their hours. Additionally, there are competency-training guides, and training for mentors and apprentices to track progress.

Cost & College Tuition

AJAC provides apprenticeship program management at no cost to our partnering employers. The only cost to an employer is the wages of their apprentices.

Each apprentice is responsible for tuition, textbooks, and materials required for each quarter. Many partnering employers pay some or all of the tuition (50% reduced) for AJAC classes.

Get Started

To start an apprenticeship program at your company or enroll new apprentices into an existing program, please complete our Getting Started Form using the link below and an AJAC representative will contact you shortly.

Get Started