Industrial Manufacturing Technician occupation

Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship

18-MONTH | 3,000 HOURS

What is an Industrial Manufacturing Technician

What is an 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.

Industrial Manufacturing Technicians:

  • Set-up, operate, monitor, and control production equipment
  • Improve manufacturing processes and schedule to meet customer requirements
  • Understand manufacturing as a business system that integrates multiple disciplines, processes, and stakeholders
  • Efficiently and safely manage raw materials/consumables
Industrial Manufacturing Technician benefits

What are the Benefits of Becoming an Industrial Manufacturing Technician?

An Industrial Manufacturing Technician is an entry-level apprenticeship occupation that develops foundational manufacturing skills for aspiring manufacturers.

Upon completion of an Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship, you can move onto more advanced occupations such as machining or industrial maintenance.

As an Industrial Manufacturing Technician, you will enjoy a long-term career with a good salary, job advancement opportunities, and the chance to work with your hands and cutting-edge technology.

Step to Becoming an Apprentice

Steps to becoming an AJAC apprentice
Identify an employer AJAC partners with and apply for an open position.
Talk with your supervisor to receive company approval for participation.
AJAC will visit your employer to sign our Apprenticeship Agreement.
Once you are registered, AJAC will enroll you in our apprenticeship classes.
Each month, submit your on-the-job training hours through our Apprentice Tracking System.
Upon completion, you will receive AJAC's certificate of completion and a journey-level card in your respective occupation.
6 Steps to Becoming an Apprentice

6 Steps to Becoming an Apprentice

1

Get Hired by a Participating Employer AJAC Partners With

2

Receive Participation Approval from Your Employer

3

Sign an Apprenticeship Agreement with AJAC

4

Enroll in AJAC’s Apprenticeship Classes Each Quarter

5

Log and Submit Your OJT Hours Monthly

6

Receive a Nationally-Recognized Journey-Level Certification from L&I

How Much Can I Earn?

$
17.32

*This is a Washington State average for this occupation. Wage rates vary by employer, industry, experience and location. Source: Washington State Employment Security Department 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.

Map of Washington and Idaho where AJAC operates apprenticeship program

Where Will I Work?

AJAC has partnered with 300+ advanced manufacturers to provide supervised, structured, paid on-the-job training.

AJAC apprentices can only work for companies that agree to hire them and place them into the program.

Each company has their own methodology for who they select as an apprentice.

Employers We Partner With
Industrial Manufacturing classes

Where Are Classes Held?

Classes are held one night a week, typically on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

AJAC’s apprenticeships classes are structured for both online learning or in-person learning. Depending on the specific class you are taking, you may be required to complete it online or in-person.

In-person classes are held either a local community/technical college, high school, or skills center.

Meet Our Instructors

Apprenticeship Classes

Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprentices take six college-level classes. Each class consists of 50 hours of lecture and/or practical application. Upon completion of each class, apprentices will receive 5 college credits.

As a registered apprentice, you automatically receive 50% reduced tuition. Over half of AJAC’s partnering employers elect to pay for their apprentice’s tuition, making the entire apprenticeship free-of-cost.

Currently, each class costs $380 out-of-pocket.

Safety

Basic shop safety, PPE, safe operator performance, identifying unsafe conditions & corrective actions, enhancing workplace practices, OSHA-10, CPR/First Aid, environmental assessments, emergency terms & drills.

Industrial Manufacturing Basics

Quality & continuous improvement practices, introduce QA, blueprint reading, interpreting manufacturing documents, precision measurement, basic tools/equipment use and knowledge.

Production Processes

Production for customers’ needs, required resources, lean manufacturing, communicate production, job assignments & work flow, set-up & machine operations, problem solving, shipping & receiving.

Machine Maintenance

Preventive and routine maintenance awareness, applied principles of machine control and automation concepts, welding, basic electricity, fluid power systems, understanding applications for lubricants, coolants, bearings, couplings, belt drives and chain drives.

Shop Math

Review of basic arithmetic, basic algebra application, based on geometry, right angle trigonometry, oblique angle trigonometry, and right angles.

Communications

Concepts related to the workplace including writing a technical memo, explaining technical processes, giving clear instruction, mediation/negotiation, conflict resolution, and group facilitation.

On-the-Job Training Competencies

The table below is a schedule of tasks and hours designed as a guide. The 3,000 hours will be completed over the course of the apprenticeship. The apprentice shall be instructed and trained in all operations and methods customarily used on the various machines. Each company will adhere to the schedule as closely as facilities will permit in order to provide the apprentice with well-rounded experience and practice on all relevant equipment and processes in the shop.

OJT CompetencyApprox. OJT Hours
Set-Up Production Equipment800
Operate Production Equipment1,000
Quality Assurance, Inspection & Measurement600
Interpret Technical Information200
Routine Machine Maintenance300
Inventory Materials100
TOTAL HOURS3,000

 

AJAC | Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships

Launch Your Career Today!

Submit your information using the link below. After we receive your information, an AJAC representative will contact you for next steps. Please note, this is not an official application to become an apprentice. After a partnering employers agrees to enroll you in the program, you will officially apply and enroll at that time.