Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC)

Become an Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice

Why Choose a Career in Aerospace and Manufacturing?

In Washington State, *132,500 people have a good paying career in aerospace manufacturing. Over the next five years, the state will need 7,200** additional aerospace workers to build thousands of new products, such as airplanes, to replace a large number of aerospace workers who are retiring soon and to keep up with new technology.

This booming industry provides steady jobs with high-paying wages to people looking for a long-term career.

Apprenticeship, the Way to a Long-Term Career in Aerospace and Manufacturing

If you’re looking for a long-term career and enjoy working with tools and high-tech machinery, then a profession in aerospace and advanced manufacturing in Washington State may be what you’re looking for, and apprenticeship is the way to get there. Apprenticeship programs provide on-the-job training to anyone new to the workforce or to individuals looking to upgrade their current skills or already working as a machinist, aircraft mechanic, etc. 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 aerospace and advanced manufacturing is an opportunity for women and men like you, to earn family wage jobs and advance in your career to become a lead, foreman, supervisor, etc.

Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Careers You Can Train for with Apprenticeship

As an aerospace and advanced manufacturing apprentice, you can become a skilled:

• Machinist
• Precision Metal Fabricator 
• Tool & Die Maker
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Plastic Process Technician
• Industrial Manufacturing Technician
• Production Technician (Youth)
• Automation Technician (Youth)
• Machine Operator
• CNC Programmer

Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) programs are located across Washington State.

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 are master tradespeople. Aerospace and advanced manufacturing apprentices receive pay increases as they learn and perform more complex tasks proficiently. Check out how much you could earn by occupation. Wage rates are dependent on occupation, employer and geographic location.

Traits of a Good Apprentice

You should be detail-oriented, a problem-solver, capable of working independently and as part of a team, and have a good work ethic.

Get Started Now!

Think you got what it takes to launch your career in aerospace and advanced manufacturing? Check your resume for the required skills and qualifications. Please note, AJAC apprenticeships are only available to employees who work for one of our partnering companies. If you currently work for a manufacturing company AJAC has not partnered with, we can determine if that company would like to join the apprenticeship program.

AJAC apprenticeships are located in Washington State’s largest cities including Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Bellingham, Yakima, Spokane and many more.

* Washington State Department of Commerce Website
**Aerospace Manufacturing Skills 2013 Annual Report developed by Washington’s Workforce Training and Coordinating Board

AJAC Youth Apprenticeship
Hands-On Learning + Real-World Experience

Our Programs

AJAC currently operates two registered Youth Apprenticeship programs for youth. Both the Production Technician (Youth) and Automation Technician (Youth) are 2,000 hour programs designed for high school juniors and seniors to develop career-ready skills in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries. These apprenticeship programs combine paid on-the-job training at an AJAC employer and college-level classroom instruction which can lead to a high school diploma, journey-level card and short-term college certificate.

What Is Youth Apprenticeship?

• Career-oriented: Learning is structured around knowledge, skills, and competencies that lead to careers with family-supporting wages.
• Equitable: Learning is accessible to every student, with targeted supports for those adversely impacted by long-standing inequities in our education system and labor market.
• Portable: Learning leads to postsecondary credentials and transferable college credit that expand options for students.
• Adaptable: Learning is designed collaboratively to be recognized and valued across an industry or sector.
• Accountable: Student, employer, and program outcomes are monitored using transparent metrics to support improvement.

2021 Program Recruitment & Updates

AJAC has restructured our Youth Apprenticeship program due to the COVID-19 global pandemic to ensure our students and apprentices can maximize the opportunity to participate while maintaining safety guidelines and taking any necessary precautions.

AJAC has developed 3 pathways for prospective students interested in participating in the 2021 school year. These pathways provide flexibility to our school districts, students, and employers for different levels of engagement.

This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official positions of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warrantees, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for commercial use is permissible. All other uses require the authorization of the copyright owner.

This program is an equal opportunity program. Training of apprentices shall be without discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or as otherwise specified by law. AJAC also encourages women, minorities and veterans to apply with their employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

This project received $490,000.00 (100% of its total cost) from a grant awarded under the ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion grant, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

About Us

Washington State is the world leader in aerospace and advanced manufacturing production and home to more than 1,350* aerospace-related companies employing more than 132,500* highly-skilled aerospace workers. The increase in impending retirements, new emerging technologies and a greater production demand have created challenges for building a skilled 21st century workforce and competing in a global economy. Over the next five years, the state will need more than 7,200** additional aerospace workers to fill the increasing demand. The current workforce is composed of tradespeople that offer valuable knowledge and skills acquired through years of experience. It is imperative that employers have an avenue to capture the knowledge of these retiring tradespeople and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

Related: AJAC Standards of Apprenticeship

The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (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. AJAC is a statewide, nonprofit 501(c)(3) aerospace and advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeship program.

AJAC’s mission is to provide exceptional and responsive apprenticeships, innovative supporting signature training with cutting-edge curriculum and highly effective trade’s trainers. AJAC offers a method for transferring the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills between generations of the workforce, thus promoting the value of contributing to the next generation.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Training of apprentices shall be without discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or as otherwise specified by law.  AJAC also encourages women, minorities and veterans to apply with their employer.

Our Programs:

AJAC and its advisory committee, comprised of employers and employees, have developed and implemented the following registered apprenticeship programs based on employer and industry need:

• Machinist (Aircraft-Oriented) | 8,000 Hours | 4-Years
• Precision Metal Fabricator | 4,000 Hours | 2-Years
• Tool and Die Maker | 10,000 Hours | 5 -Years
• Industrial Maintenance Technician | 8,000 Hours | 4-Years
• Plastic Process Technician | 8,000 Hours | 4-Years
• Production Technician (Youth) | 2,000 Hours | 2-Years
• Industrial Manufacturing Technician | 3,000 Hours | 1.5-Years
• Automation Technician (Youth) | 2,000 Hours | 2-Years

AJAC is currently developing a registered apprenticeship program in the future for CNC Programming.

Apprenticeship combines supervised on-the-job training experience with college-level classroom instruction enabling:

• Employees to earn a living wage while they learn on-the-job from a mentor and attend class one night a week at a local community or technical college
• Employers to increase their workforce skills without disrupting production