At AJAC, we understand that the strength of our apprenticeship programs lies in the collaborative efforts of our industry partners. In this op-ed section, we bring you insights and perspectives directly from the employers who are on the front lines of workforce development. These industry leaders share their experiences, challenges, and successes in cultivating a skilled workforce through apprenticeship programs. Their voices underscore the critical role that partnerships play in shaping the future of Washington State’s industries, and how together, we can drive economic growth while empowering the next generation of workers.
Are We Waiting Too Long to Train Our Leaders?
HDT Global Op-EdFor many of our employees, the apprenticeship program is less daunting than enrolling in a college program. From a return on investment standpoint, the class offerings directly correlate to our supervisors daily responsibilities and implementing a cohort model helps foster a better culture of teamwork amongst our supervisors. Perhaps the best endorsement of the program we can provide is the commitment made by AJAC’s employees to help all students succeed. No matter the issues apprentices are having, all they have to do is ask for help and they receive it. Not all educational programs can claim that.
Human Resources Manager
HDT Global
Investing in People: The Backbone of Our Manufacturing Success
American Structures & Design Op-EdApprenticeships are important to our company, and we have always prioritized being a company that invests deeply in the next generation. We’ve built our success on training new people in the industry because we know that not a lot of people have the specific skillsets we need for our company. Rather than complain about not being able to find skilled workers, we’ve decided to be a part of the solution and skill up the next generation.
CEO (Former)
American Structures & Design
Sierra Pacific Industries Op-Ed
SPI chose to partner with the AJAC program not only to help upskill students into our career paths, but also to invest in the reginal workforce skills gap. We know that all our students might not stay for lifelong careers and that is okay. The goal is to improve awareness of our occupations, industry, and provide valuable training to interested students. Youth apprenticeship proactively and strategically addresses many of our current workforce challenges and AJAC has been an essential partner. Together with Elma High School, our three organizations support and encourage success in our student apprenticeships.
Workforce Development Coordinator
Sierra Pacific Industries
Pexco Aerospace Op-Ed
As a manufacturing company that is facing the same workforce development challenges as our neighboring companies in the Yakima Valley, one idea remains constant—as an industry we must think outside the box on how companies are going to meet the needs of our customers by having skilled workers who can get the job done. Traditional methods of job fairs and job boards can only take you so far. I would encourage other employers who can relate to this issue by considering apprenticeship as a tool in your tool kit. There is no cost to us, the employer, to have AJAC’s apprenticeship offered to our employees.
Director of Human Resources
Pexco Aerospace
