Adult Apprenticeship

Adult Apprenticeship

The Gold Standard of Education

Adult Apprenticeship

Adult Apprenticeship

The Gold Standard of Education

AJAC Industrial Manufacturing Technician

Learning on the Job Is the Most Powerful Way of Transferring Knowledge

If you’re looking for a long-term career and enjoy working with your hands, then a profession in Washington State’s advanced manufacturing industries may be what you’re looking for, and apprenticeship is the way to get there.

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.

AJAC adult apprentice

Why Train with AJAC

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.

Within two to five years, you earn a Journey-Level Certificate, enabling you to work anywhere in the U.S. as a master trades person. You could also earn credit towards an associate’s degree that could turn into a four-year degree. A career in advanced manufacturing is an opportunity to earn family wage jobs and advance in your career to become a lead, foreman, supervisor, etc.

AJAC | Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships

Careers You Can Train for with Apprenticeship

Work full time while earning benefits, college credits, and a nationally-recognized journey-level credential in one of these occupations:

Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprentice

Industrial Manufacturing Technicians operate 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.

Learn More
+ Learn More

Industrial Manufacturing Technician

Precision Metal Fabrication apprentice

A Precision Metal Fabricator cuts, bends, forms and assembles precise metal parts. Like piecing together a puzzle, the fabricator produces specialized components at very high tolerances, for products such as medical devices and aerospace parts.

Learn More
+ Learn More

Precision Metal Fabricator

Industrial Machine Operator apprentice

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. There are different types of machinery to consider for Industrial Machine Operators including: robotic packaging machinery, robotic sorting equipment, and food processing equipment.

Learn More
+ Learn More

Industrial Machine Operator

Plastic process technician apprentice working on injection molding machine

A Plastic Process Technicians primary job is to set up, monitor and troubleshoot plastic injection-molding machines. This requires specialized knowledge of materials, specific tools, and equipment.

Learn More
+ Learn More

Plastic Process Technician

Industrial Maintenance Technician apprenticeship

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.

Learn More
+ Learn More

Industrial Maintenance Technician

Machinist apprenticeship

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.

Learn More
+ Learn More

Machinist

Tool & Die Maker apprenticeship

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.

Learn More
+ Learn More

Tool & Die Maker

CNC Programmer apprenticeships

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).

Learn More
+ Learn More

CNC Programmer

Logistics Specialist Apprenticeship

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.

Learn More
+ Learn More

Logistics Specialist

Operations Specialist Apprenticeship

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.

Learn More
+ Learn More

Operations Specialist

AJAC's Partnering Employers

Use the map to find companies that participate in AJAC’s apprenticeship programs!

 

Employers We Work With

AJAC currently partners with over 300 advanced manufacturing companies across Washington State to offer a variety of training opportunities for their incumbent workforce.

Employers sign binding agreements with the state of Washington to serve as ‘training agents,’ where the vast majority of the apprenticeship training occurs (93% on the job, 7% in the classroom). AJAC’s apprenticeships are only available to employees of our partnering companies.

Partnering Employers

Steps To Becoming an Apprentice

From the Spokane Valley to the Kent Valley, AJAC offers a wide-array of apprenticeship programs across Washington State and Idaho. The following process will guide you on your path to career advancement.

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.

Steps To Becoming an Apprentice

1

Get Hired by Partnering Employer: Identify an employer AJAC partners with and apply for an open position.

2

Receive Participation Approval: Talk with your supervisor to receive company approval for participation.

3

Sign Agreement: AJAC will visit your employer to sign our Apprenticeship Agreement.

4

Enroll in Class: Once you are registered, AJAC will enroll you in our apprenticeship classes.

5

Submit OJT Hours Monthly: Each month, submit your on-the-job training hours through our Apprentice Tracking System.

6

Receive Credential: Upon completion, you will receive AJAC’s certificate of completion and a journey-level card in your respective occupation.

Earn while you learn

Earn a Living Wage with Apprenticeship

The beginning salary for an apprentice is 60% the salary of a fully trained (Journey-Level) worker who has completed their on-the-job training and AJAC’s college-level classes.

AJAC apprentices typically receive a 5% pay increase every 1,000 hours as they learn and perform more complex tasks proficiently.

Depending on the occupation, some apprentices may start out at a rate higher than 60% of a journey-level worker.

Check out how much you could earn by visiting our occupations pages. Wage rates are dependent on occupation, employer and geographic location.

AJAC Occupations
Apprenticeship knowledge

A Breadth of Knowledge

Over the past ten years, AJAC has built one of the largest statewide instructional workforces of industry professionals and subject matter experts, with the vast majority of our 60 part-time instructors currently working in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries. Most of these instructors teach our apprenticeship classes in the evening and/or weekends, allowing them to continue to work in industry during the day (and helping to ensure that our classroom instruction remains current to the changing needs of these industries).

AJAC has worked diligently to create and implement industry-driven curriculum for the occupations that we provide registered apprenticeship training. By working with employers, subject matter experts, and educational partners, AJAC is able to provide high quality, relevant curriculum that our instructors provide in over 40 unique classroom settings each quarter at community colleges, high schools and regional skill centers.

Meet Our Instructors

Get Started in Apprenticeship

Launch your career in advanced manufacturing in Washington State through AJAC’s registered apprenticeship programs. Those who meet the minimum qualifications for apprenticeship and possess technical or mechanical skills are in high-demand by companies who partner with AJAC.