Meet AJAC and the Machinists Institute, two successful apprenticeships preparing the state’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing workforce.
Accessing a skilled, local workforce in aerospace and advanced manufacturing in Washington State continues to be a challenge for industry. In partnership with Washington’s Community and Technical Colleges, apprenticeships from AJAC and the Machinists Institute are helping to fill the skills gap, train workers and advance the sector.
AJAC is a non-profit founded in 2008 to skill up the advanced manufacturing workforce and currently serves 400+ apprentices, 300+ employers in 20 training locations across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. AJAC partners with advanced manufacturing companies to offer apprenticeship programs to employees, colleges to ensure classroom training is college accredited, school districts and skills centers to offer Youth Apprenticeships to high school students and community-based organizations to secure funding streams and support services for apprentices and pre-apprentices.
The Machinists Institute is a nonprofit educational institution established by the International Association of Machinists District 751, serving the aerospace, manufacturing, and automotive machinists industries. As Jon Holden, President of IAM District 751 says on their website, “We are excited about offering a pathway to higher skills and a better standard of living through education and training in the machinists industry.”
AJAC offers training in three areas: Adult apprenticeship programs for individuals currently working in industry, Youth apprenticeship programs for high school students and Pre-Apprenticeship programs for individuals looking to gain foundational manufacturing skills.
The Machinists Institute trains apprentices as Fabrication Welders, Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics, Industrial Machinery Technicians, Machinists and Trailer Repair Mechanics. Both apprenticeships partner with Washington Community and Technical Colleges to award college credit for related supplemental instruction. Along with earning their journey cards for successful apprenticeship completion, apprentices can use their college credits to earn degrees related to their occupation.
AJAC’s programs https://www.ajactraining.org/occupations/ include Automation Technician, Precision Metal Fabricator, Machinist, CNC Programmer, Tool & Die Maker and more. By offering stackable apprenticeships, AJAC offers job seekers and incumbent workers the opportunity to advance their skill development over time.
Both apprenticeships combine 2000 hours annually of on-the-job training with 144 hours annually of related supplemental instruction, requirements of the State of Washington and hallmarks nationwide of quality apprenticeship. Because these programs are designed and structured based on the proven methods of apprenticeship, the programs meet the needs of employers in high-demand industries while providing living-wage employment to apprentices.
The benefits of aerospace apprenticeship are many and varied:
- Work full-time while receiving 1:1 mentorship from industry professionals
- Earn a living wage plus benefits
- Earn college credit
- Advance in a career through regular wage increases and opportunities to learn.
- Receive a nationally recognized journey-level credential from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
The Machinists Institute’s mission statement sums up a goal the Center of Excellence is proud to support: “Build a better future for aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and machinist workers in our community through dedication to excellence in recruitment, education, and training.”
Aerospace apprenticeships in the news:
First Cohort of Elma HS Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program Celebrated
Celebrating Graduates of the District 751 Machinists Institute Program
Moses Lake launches Manufacturing Youth Program with Genie & AJAC, welcomes 6 apprentices