AJAC Occupations

Apprenticeship Occupations

Earn While You Learn

On-the-Job Training + College-Level Classes

AJAC’s stackable apprenticeships offer job seekers and incumbent workers an opportunity to advance their skill development from one level to the next. Credentials earned in AJAC’s programs can accumulate over time to fast-track an apprentice’s career pathway to greater employment opportunities and higher paying jobs.

Youth Apprenticeships
AJAC youth apprenticeship program
Automation Technician (Youth)
Automation technicians repair and maintain the computer-controlled systems and robotic devices used within industrial and commercial facilities to reduce human intervention and maximize efficiency. Their duties require knowledge of electronics, mechanics, pneumatics and computers.
  • Length: 2-Years
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 2,000
  • College Credits Earned: 15
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AJAC Manufacturing Academy
Production Technician (Youth)
The job duties of a Production Technician is to set up, test, and adjust advanced manufacturing machinery or equipment using a combination of electrical, electronic, mechanic, hydraulic, pneumatic, or computer technologies. Production Technicians will work hands-on with computer aided design (CAD), analytical and scientific software.
  • Length: 2-Years
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 2,000
  • College Credits Earned: 15
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Entry-Level Apprenticeships
AJAC industrial manufacturing technician program
Industrial Manufacturing Technician
The Industrial Manufacturing Technician’s (IMT) operates production equipment as well as assembles applicable components. Manufacturing technicians must closely follow guidelines, blueprints, and/or diagrams of the products being manufactured; this is important to ensure that all the necessary product specifications are met and comply with the company’s standards.
  • Length: 18-Months
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 3,000
  • College Credits Earned: 30
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Food Processing Machine Operator AJAC blue icon
Food Processing Machine Operator
A Food Processing Machine Operator is responsible for operating and maintaining the machinery used in the production of food products. Every industrial machine requires an operator to interact with it to set parameters, adjust parameters, perform initial set up, ensure quality standards are adhered to.
  • Length: 18-Months
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 3,000
  • College Credits Earned: 30
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AJAC apprentice instructors
Production Machine Operator
Machine operators in production environments are skilled professionals responsible for operating, monitoring, and maintaining machinery used to manufacture goods. These operators work across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, food processing, and consumer goods. They ensure machinery functions efficiently, maintain high-quality standards, and minimize downtime.
  • Length: 18-Months
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 3,000
  • College Credits Earned: 30
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Advanced Apprenticeships
AJAC's Plastics process technician program
Machinist (Aircraft Oriented)
A machinist operates manually controlled and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools such as lathes and milling machines, to cut and produce precision parts for machines, instruments, and tools. Machinists repair or produce parts using both manual and automated equipment with precise measurements. Essentially, a machinists' goal is to ensure effective production operations and optimize procedures.
  • Length: 4-Years
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 8,000
  • College Credits Earned: 60
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Industrial maintenance technician icon
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Industrial Maintenance Technicians work in a variety of industries including food processing, aerospace, maritime manufacturing, biomedical manufacturing, defense, space, and packaging and assembly. Industrial Maintenance Technicians install, repair and maintain commercial or industrial machinery in buildings, a plant, or a manufacturing setting. These technicians ensure all machines function properly through troubleshooting and preventive maintenance service.
  • Length: 4-Years
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 8,000
  • College Credits Earned: 60
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AJAC's Plastics process technician program
Plastic Process Technician
A Plastic Process Technician's primary job is to set up, monitor and troubleshoot plastic injection-molding machines. This requires specialized knowledge of materials, specific tools, and equipment. Troubleshooting tasks might include dealing with inconsistent material, faulty equipment, human error, and preventing defects from occurring.
  • Length: 3-Years
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 6,000
  • College Credits Earned: 45
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Career Advancement Apprenticeships
CNC Programmer apprenticeships
CNC Programmer
CNC Programmers develop programs to control machining or processing of metal or plastic parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. Students in the AJAC CNC Programmer apprenticeship will learn to use CAD and CAM fundamentals to design for manufacturability (develop tooling). Students will gain a thorough understanding of the underlying manufacturing processes that are essential to developing a part program; they will know how to build a part and will understand the role of the CNC Programmer in a team and an organization.
  • Length: 2-Years
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 4,000
  • College Credits Earned: 30
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How to become a tool and die maker
Tool & Die Maker
Tool and Die Makers work with computer-controlled machinery and mechanical equipment to cut, shape and finish tools, instruments and metal parts to precision levels. Tool and Die Makers will read blueprints, sketches, specifications, or Computer-Aided Design (CAD) or Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) files for making tools and dies. They will set up, operate, and disassemble conventional, manual, and computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine tools
  • Length: 5-Years
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 10,000
  • College Credits Earned: 75
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Logistics & Operations Apprenticeships
Logistics Specialist Icon
Logistics Specialist
Logistics Specialists are responsible for managing all supply functions, procure, receive, stow, issue, and inventory material. In addition, logistics specialists perform inspection and audit of all supply areas, maintain financial records and reports, take corrective action on financial discrepancies, and make budget-related recommendations.
  • Length: 18-Months
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 3,000
  • College Credits Earned: 25
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Operations Specialist
Operations Specialist
An Operations Specialist is responsible for the management of workflow throughout different departments within a manufacturing business. The purpose of this position is to optimize daily activities and performance across the production floor. They are responsible for project management, staff support, meeting manufacturing deadlines, solving unusual or complex production related problems.
  • Length: 18-Months
  • On-the-Job Training Hours: 3,000
  • College Credits Earned: 30
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Launch Your Career Today!

AJAC Industrial Manufacturing Technician

Benefits of Apprenticeship

AJAC’s apprenticeship programs include 93% paid on-the-job training plus 7% college-level classroom instruction.

AJAC’s apprentices receive the following benefits throughout the program: 

  • Work full-time while receiving 1:1 mentorship from industry professionals
  • Attend an AJAC class only one-night a week for four hours. No class during summer quarter.
  • Earning a livable wage plus benefits
  • Earning college credit towards an Associate’s Degree that can turn into a four-year degree
  • Only pay half of the tuition costs associated with the college credit attached to each program.
  • Advance more rapidly than other workers — high-paying jobs come more quickly
  • Receive a nationally-recognized journey-level credential from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Benefits of Apprenticeship
AJAC Production Technician

Get Started

As an AJAC apprentice, you will receive on-the-job training (OJT) at an approved AJAC Training Agent (employer facility) and take classes one night per week at a community/technical college.

Upon completion of the program (typically two to five years), an apprentice receives a Journey-Level Certificate that is nationally recognized in their chosen trade.

To find out how you can become an apprentice and launch your career in advanced manufacturing, visit AJAC’s Get Started Section.

Get Started with Apprenticeship