The Manufacturing Academy is a 10-week, no-cost, pre-apprenticeship program that teaches students both soft skills and technical skills to include but not limited to applied math, blueprint reading, intro to machining and maintenance, interview techniques, and industry tours with AJAC partnering companies.
Pre-Apprenticeship
Youth Apprenticeship
AJAC offers two Youth Apprenticeship programs for high school students—Production Technician and Automation Technician. Each program consists of 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 3 college-level classes designed by AJAC to teach the theory behind the skills learned on the shop floor.
Adult Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship programs provide paid training to adults interested in pursuing career advancement opportunities in high demand occupations such as machinist, industrial maintenance, machine operation, and automation.
As an apprentice, you work at a full-time job while training with a mentor and earning wages + benefits. In addition, you attend classes typically one night a week at a local community or technical college to learn the theory behind the training.

Pre-Apprenticeship
In 2011, AJAC developed the state’s first advanced manufacturing registered pre-apprenticeship program, Manufacturing Academy (MA). MA offers a solid foundational career pathway into aerospace and advanced manufacturing apprenticeship opportunities for job seekers who develop industry-relevant skills at multiple locations across Washington State.
This 10-week, no-cost, pre-apprenticeship program teaches students both soft skills and technical skills to include but not limited to applied math, blueprint reading, intro to machining and maintenance, interview techniques, and industry tours with AJAC partnering companies.

Youth Apprenticeship
In 2017, AJAC began offering registered apprenticeship programs for high school students (Youth Apprenticeship), and currently partners with 15 school districts across Washington State to create opportunities for youth apprentices to finish high school, start their postsecondary education at little-to-no cost, complete paid work experience alongside a mentor, and start along a path that broadens their options for the future.
AJAC offers two Youth Apprenticeship programs—Production Technician and Automation Technician. Each program consists of 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 3 college-level classes designed by AJAC to teach the theory behind the skills learned on the shop floor.

Adult Apprenticeship
AJAC launched in 2008 with an investment from Washington State to skill-up the aerospace and advanced manufacturing workforce through registered apprenticeship. AJAC developed and implemented 10 high-growth, in-demand apprenticeship occupations to serve a variety of demographics, industries, and companies across the state.
AJAC serves approximately 400 apprentices per year at close to 300 companies, partnering with 12 community colleges to ensure that all apprentices are receiving college credits while working towards a journey-level certificate.
Lifelong Career Training Timeline
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.













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