Explore how partnering with AJAC works in practice. This presentation covers employer onboarding, program setup, support services, and answers to common questions.
Getting Started
Getting started with AJAC is straightforward and employer-friendly. Our team works closely with your company to understand your workforce goals, training needs, and production environment.
We help you set up effective internal training procedures and align them with your operations. Our experts map apprenticeship competencies directly to your shop floor, ensuring apprentices gain relevant, hands-on experience that adds value from day one.
AJAC's Support Staff
AJAC’s support team works behind the scenes to ensure apprentices thrive in both the classroom and on the job.
From academic tutoring and technical help with online learning tools to on-the-job training support and guidance through AJAC’s tracking systems, our staff are there to help apprentices stay on track. We also provide connections to college resources so apprentices can continue growing their skills and succeed in your workforce.
We'll Guide You Along Each Step
We’ll support you through every step. No prior apprenticeship experience is required.
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.
How AJAC Works for Employers
Meet Your Workforce Specialist
When you partner with AJAC, you’re supported by one of our five Regional Program Managers who works directly with your company. They help you navigate onboarding, coordinate with apprentices, and step in whenever questions or challenges arise.
Erin has over ten years of non-profit experience including global healthcare, economic development, and WA State policy. She earned her degree in Communications and Public Relations from the University of San Francisco. After teaching 4th grade in an orphanage in Ghana for a year, she returned to the workforce with a continued passion in helping others. Prior to AJAC Erin was Membership & Events Manager for Washington Business Alliance. During this time Erin focused on advocating for Career and Technical Education and promoting Career Pathways for WA State trades. She joined AJAC in 2017 as a Business Developer and was promoted to Regional Program Manager in 2021. Erin primarily covers the North Sound region extending to Skagit and Whatcom Counties.
Erin served two terms (six years) as a business advocate on the WA State Rehabilitation Council, a Governor-appointed advisory board within the Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation. She volunteers for the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition on the Fundraising and Advocacy Committee. Erin is a Seattle native.
Amy joined AJAC after working with the Seattle Mariners as Manager, Security for nearly seven seasons. While at the Mariners, she oversaw all aspects of the Event Security team to ensure the safety and security for 81 baseball games a year and numerous other events held at T-Mobile Park. This role included the hiring, training, scheduling and development of over 250 Event Security staff every season. Her favorite part of the job was working all the wonderful staff that helped make incredible guest experiences at the stadium,
Prior to the Seattle Mariners Amy spent over 15 years at Microsoft in the Windows and Xbox Gaming Divisions. Her time there brought lots of opportunity with different roles including Software Tester, Test Lead and finally Release Manger.
Amy is also involved with volunteer groups in her community, serving in leadership roles when needed. She is a Washington native having grown up in Puyallup and graduated from Western Washington University. In her free time she can be found playing her favorite video games, camping up at Lake Cushman or planning her next trip to Disneyland. Amy was promoted to Director of Business Engagement in April 2025.
Prior to joining AJAC, Damian worked as a member of the Business Services team at the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce. In this role, he managed pre-apprenticeship cohorts and engaged with businesses to assess employment needs, working with stakeholders to create meaningful talent pipelines. Preceding his time at the Chamber of Commerce, Damian spent over nine years in Workforce Development with organizations such as Pacific Mountain WDC, Central City Concern, Portland Community College, and the Art Institutes. He approaches his work with a strategic mindset to identify opportunities and acts with a spirit of entrepreneurship and collaboration.
Damian resides in Olympia, Washington and serves as the Board Chair of the Olympia Film Society. He has a deep love of film and has worked in television on shows for PBS and the Travel Channel.
Dennis joined AJAC after working in the private and public sector in a variety of leadership positions. During his career in the private sector Dennis spent time as a retail manager and regional sales representative focusing on customer service. However, his true passion was education, and he entered public education as a second career. During his tenure in education, he spent time in the classroom as a business and marketing teacher, high school principal, Career Technical Education Director (CTE), and most recently as Principal at Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center (YVTECH) in Yakima.
Dennis returns to Eastern Washington and Spokane where he has lived and resided for several years. He looks forward to working with industry to provide apprenticeship career opportunities for youth and adults in the Spokane region.
Makeba joined AJAC after working as a mechanic with Thermoforming Systems (TSL), in Yakima, WA. She completed an Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship with AJAC during her time with TSL, and also worked on project management and office administration tasks as well. Prior to working in manufacturing, Makeba spent 10 years working in retail management in the Seattle area. She managed a national retail supplement store for several years, where she used her learning in herbal medicine, exercise, and nutrition to help customers get healthier. She also managed other retail locations and enjoyed helping customers, and participating in community events in her positions.
Makeba is looking forward to serving the Central Washington region, and helping employees and businesses train successful journey-level apprentices. She resides in Yakima, WA and In her spare time, she enjoys indoor and outdoor roller skating, and enjoys dressing in costumes and attending comic and cosplay conventions.
