Adult Apprenticeship Enrollment
Steps to Enroll as an Adult Apprentice
Steps to Enrollment
Work for a Partner Employer
You must be 18 or older and work in Washington State for a manufacturing company that has a signed agreement with AJAC to offer apprenticeship programs to its employees. If you work for a company that is not partnered with AJAC, your company will need to sign an agreement prior to enrolling any employees as apprentices.
Receive Employer Approval
Once your company partners with AJAC, you’ll need approval from your employer to enroll as an apprentice. This ensures your company supports your participation in the program.
Complete Enrollment with AJAC
An AJAC representative will meet with you at your workplace to guide you through the enrollment process. During this visit, you’ll complete the necessary paperwork, register for college-level classes, and learn about financial aid options that may apply.
As an Apprentice, You Will...
Begin Tracking Your On-the-Job Training Hours
After enrollment, you’ll start reporting your on-the-job training hours through AJAC’s online Apprentice Tracking System. Your supervisor will review and approve these hours each month.
Attend College-Level Classes
You’ll take AJAC’s college-accredited classes one night per week—typically Tuesday through Thursday—either in person at a local community or technical college, or online. Classes make up 7% of your time as an apprentice, but you’re required to pass each class to meet your completion requirements.
Earn Your Journey-Level Credential
When you’ve completed all required classes and on-the-job training hours, you’ll earn a nationally-recognized Journey-Level Credential from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries and an AJAC certificate of completion.
Submit Your Information to AJAC
FAQs for Adult Apprenticeship
AJAC’s apprenticeship programs are only open to residents who live and work in Washington State. If you’re outside Washington, please reach out to your state’s apprenticeship agency to learn about opportunities near you.
To join an AJAC apprenticeship program, your company needs a signed partnership agreement with AJAC. There’s no cost for your company to participate. First, your company completes the required paperwork, and once that’s done, you can enroll as an apprentice.
Yes! There are several types of financial assistance that may be available to assist you with overcoming barriers to completing your apprenticeship program. Financial assistance that may be available to help with things like tuition, housing/food insecurity, childcare, transportation and other needs. To date, nearly $1,000,000.00 has been approved in funding for adult apprentices.
Yes! Apprenticeship programs offer veterans a “earn while you learn” model, allowing them to gain career skills and earn a salary simultaneously, with financial support from GI Bill benefits for a monthly housing stipend and supplies. Veterans benefit from structured training that utilizes their military experience, leads to industry certification and higher-paying jobs. Learn more here.
A journeyman’s card signifies the successful completion of an apprenticeship and demonstrates that an individual has the skills, knowledge, and experience to work independently in their trade. It serves as an industry-recognized credential that supports career advancement, ensures quality standards for employers, and offers portability across different regions or employers. Learn more about this credential here.