Robby deburrs a machined part at his job site during his apprenticeship.

From Manufacturing Academy to Machinist Apprentice

Robby Parmelee | Three Sigma Manufacturing

The Program That Changed Everything

For many people, the path to a fulfilling career isn’t always straightforward. Robby Parmelee’s story is a shining example of how dedication, curiosity, and the right opportunities can lead to a life-changing career in manufacturing. Robby, a graduate of AJAC’s Manufacturing Academy, has gone from exploring an unfamiliar industry to thriving as a machinist apprentice.

Discovering Manufacturing

Before joining AJAC’s Manufacturing Academy, Robby had little knowledge of the manufacturing world. “Prior to the academy, I did want something more out of life,” he reflects. “I was unaware of what manufacturing even was at that point.” It was through the Academy’s structured program that Robby gained his first glimpse into the intricate processes behind how things are made.

“Going through the program, I was able to see the ins and outs, how things are actually made,” Robby shares. This newfound understanding not only sparked his interest but also gave him the confidence to pursue a career in the field.

Building Skills for Success

The Manufacturing Academy provided Robby with essential skills and knowledge, preparing him for a future in the industry. “Geometry was a big component that we learned about,” Robby says. “We touched on the Cartesian coordinate system, and that’s a huge part of my job—being able to understand what the axes actually mean and how they’re represented in the CNC machine.”

Blueprint reading, a cornerstone of manufacturing, became a crucial skill for Robby. “I’m reading blueprints every single day here,” he notes. “You need to understand what the blueprint is actually saying in order to make a good part.”

A Life-Changing Opportunity

One of the most pivotal moments during Robby’s time in the Manufacturing Academy was a shop tour at Three Sigma Manufacturing. “We had the opportunity to tour a few machine shops. Three Sigma Manufacturing was one of them, where I work now,” he recalls. Inspired by what he saw, Robby knew this was the career path for him.

“When the tour ended, I handed in my resume. That was about a week before I finished the Manufacturing Academy,” Robby says. “I landed the job here.”

Thriving as an Apprentice

After securing a position at Three Sigma Manufacturing, Robby immediately pursued AJAC’s machinist apprenticeship program. “What excites me about this industry is being able to learn something new every single day,” he says. Through his apprenticeship, Robby has mastered operating advanced machines such as three-axis CNC mills, five-axis machines, vertical mills, and horizontal mills. He’s also gained expertise in using precision measuring devices like calipers, micrometers, and CMMs.

For Robby, apprenticeship offers a unique combination of hands-on learning and steady income. “To me, apprenticeship is education. It’s not a typical four-year degree,” he explains. “I’m able to maintain a job, maintain an income, while getting that education on top of it.”

Looking Ahead

As Robby continues his journey, he’s motivated by the opportunities and achievements that lie ahead. “The journeyman license is a bit of a status symbol in my eyes. I believe once I earn that, I will have made it to a degree,” he says. “It’s really just to say I did it.”

Robby’s story is a testament to the transformative power of AJAC’s Manufacturing Academy and apprenticeship programs. His journey from exploring an unknown field to becoming a skilled machinist apprentice highlights how education and determination can unlock incredible opportunities.

For those considering a career in manufacturing, Robby’s advice is clear: “Push yourself. Be willing to take that next step.” 

About the Manufacturing Academy

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 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.

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