If your school is Apprenticeship Ready, please fill out our Youth Apprenticeship inquiry form to set up an initial meeting. This program requires a partnership between a school district, local community/technical college, and AJAC. AJAC will help coordinate all necessary partners and broker a process to ensure successful program launch.
Youth Apprenticeship for Educators
For CTE Directors & School Districts
Is Your School Apprenticeship Ready?
AJAC has developed Youth Apprenticeship programs in the occupation of Production Technician and Automation Technician. These apprenticeships are 2,000 hours of paid on-the-Job (OJT) training and 3 college-level classes — leading to a high school diploma, journey-level certification and college credits.
Below you will find information for schools to implement AJAC’s Youth Apprenticeship program for their community.
School Requirements
To be apprenticeship ready, schools must meet the following requirements:
- Do you have at least 3 advanced manufacturing companies
on your advisory board and in your community who are interested in
youth apprenticeship? - Are you able to help convene local companies that will support youth
apprenticeship? - Do you currently have a manufacturing program and a machine shop or
facility in your school district? This may include manual machining, CNC
machining, robotics, production engineering, and fabrication.
Youth Apprenticeship Classes
Youth Apprenticeship classes (also known as related supplemental instruction) can be held at the high school, college, or local manufacturing shop—whichever space has the necessary equipment for the classroom learning.
Classes are typically one or two days a week for four hours and taught by subject matter experts identified by AJAC and the school district. Subject matter experts may include your own qualified instructors, college instructors, or industry experts.
Student Eligibility (Minimum Qualifications)
- You must be a high school junior or senior enrolled in a school district AJAC has partnered with
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
- Recommended by a teacher from a school AJAC has partnered with
- Completed and passed Algebra Level 1
- Must have transportation to and from work site
Production Technician Schools
AJAC currently offers the Production Technician (Youth) Apprenticeship Program in Washington State at the following Districts and/or High Schools:
Automation Technician Schools
AJAC currently offers the Automation Technician (Youth) Apprenticeship Program in Washington State at the following Districts and/or High Schools:
Career Connect Washington Endorsed
AJAC’s Youth Apprenticeship program is endorsed by Career Connect Washington as a Career Launch Program.
Career Launch programs are the most intensive as they prepare young adults to start their careers. These programs combine meaningful, high-quality on-the-job experience with classroom learning. Programs like registered apprenticeships can position someone to be hired right away; they can also fulfill the work-based learning requirements for 4-year degrees.
These programs include registered apprenticeships and Career Launch programs in the K-12, CTC, and 4-year systems. Career Launch programs connect employers with young adults and students in the K-12, CTC, and 4-year systems. Ages 16-30.
CorePlus Aligned
AJAC’s Youth Apprenticeship programs seamlessly align with Core Plus Aerospace, a two-year high school manufacturing curriculum implemented across 54 training locations in Washington State.
In CorePlus, students learn real-world skills that open doors to good-paying manufacturing jobs and give them a clear advantage when pursuing apprenticeships, post-high school certificates, or college degrees.
High school students who complete at least one year of CorePlus develop foundational manufacturing skills and in return, increase their eligibility to participate in AJAC’s Youth Apprenticeship programs.