AJAC’s offices will be closed December 23rd-January 2nd

Contact Us ATS Login

Manufacturing Academy

Get The Skills Employers Require with Pre-Apprenticeship Training

Manufacturing Academy

Get The Skills Employers Require with Pre-Apprenticeship Training

Manufacturing Academy Logo

Get Trained. Get Hired.

The Manufacturing Academy (MA), developed by AJAC, is a registered Pre-Apprenticeship training program through Washington State. This program offers a solid foundational career pathway into aerospace and advanced manufacturing apprenticeship opportunities.

Upon completion, students will have the basic foundational skills to find gainful entry-level employment and may meet the minimum qualifications to pursue additional career pathways in advanced manufacturing through AJAC’s portfolio of apprenticeship programs.

Manufacturing Academy Application
AJAC Manufacturing Academy Learn More

About the Manufacturing Academy

1,570
Students Served
6
Locations Statewide
92
%
Employment Rate

In 2011, AJAC developed the state’s first advanced manufacturing registered pre-apprenticeship program, Manufacturing Academy (MA).

AJAC operates the Manufacturing Academy at no-cost through grant funding that focuses on encouraging women, people of color, displaced workers, and low-income individuals to develop manufacturing skills and obtain living wage jobs.

MA changes people’s lives by providing them with skills and connections needed to access the thousands of job openings across the region in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors; it also helps address hiring needs of employers who struggle to fill entry and mid-level job openings.

A Manufacturing Academy student uses a manual mill to machine a part during class.

Develop Skills. Earn Certifications.

Develop skills to succeed in the industry including:

  • Math for manufacturing.
  • Blueprint reading.
  • Lean manufacturing.
  • Effective communication.
  • Resume writing.
  • Interviewing and job application assistance.
  • Training from industry professionals, while earning college credits.
  • Tour local advanced manufacturing companies (pending company approval).
  • Obtain insight about career pathways; including education and apprenticeship opportunities.
  • Receive an industry-recognized certificate of completion.

Manufacturing Academy Locations

Students learn precision measuring during AJAC training

South Seattle College

  • Structure of Program: Classroom learning takes place in person from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, students will complete independent study from home.
  • Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend each in-person class. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
  • Class Start Date: January 14 – March 20, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
  • Location: South Seattle College—Georgetown Campus (6737 Corson Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108)
King County Manufacturing Academy
A Manufacturing Academy student uses a caliper to measure his part in the machine shop.

Bates Technical College

  • Structure of Program: Classroom learning takes place in person from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, students will complete independent study from home.
  • Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend each in-person class. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
  • Class Start Date: January 14 – March 19, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
  • Location: Bates Technical College—Downtown Campus (1101 S. Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405)
Pierce County Manufacturing Academy
Manufacturing Academy students uses a manual mill to create a machined part in class.

Snohomish County

  • Structure of Program: Classroom learning takes place in person from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, students will complete independent study from home.
  • Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend each in-person class. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
  • Class Dates: January 15 – March 19, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 
  • Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday)
  • Location: Pathfinder Manufacturing (11400 Airport Rd #100, Everett, WA 98204)
Snohomish County Manufacturing Academy
Manufacturing Academy student learns manual machining with an instructor

Yakima County

  • Structure of Program: Classroom learning takes place in person from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, students will complete independent study from home.
  • Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend each in-person class. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
  • Class Dates: January 15 – March 20, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Length of Program: 10 Weeks (Monday – Friday) 
  • Location: AJAC MA Classroom/Shop (215 N 3rd Ave Yakima, WA 98902)
Yakima County Manufacturing Academy
Student learns precision measuring during the Manufacturing Academy program.

Green River College

  • Structure of Program: In-Person Classroom Offered for Fall 2024
  • Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend class in person each day. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
  • Class Dates: October 16th – December 13th
  • Length of Program: 8 Weeks (Monday – Friday) | 8am-2pm each day
  • Location: Kent Station GRC (417 Ramsay Way Suite 112, Kent, WA 98032)

NEXT COHORT START DATE TBD

Kent Manufacturing Academy
Welding at the Lacey MakerSpace

Lacey MakerSpace

  • Structure of Program: In-Person Classroom Offered for Fall 2024
  • Class Requirement: Washington State Resident, 18 and older, and must attend class in person each day. Complete all application and funding paperwork.
  • Class Dates: August 19th – September 13th
  • Length of Program: 4 Weeks (Monday – Thursday) | 8am-1pm each day
  • Location: Lacey MakerSpace (5 Baran Drive Southeast, Lacey, WA 98503)

NEXT COHORT START DATE TBD

Lacey MakerSpace Manufacturing Academy

From Manufacturing Academy to Blue Origin

I applied to eight or nine different positions and eventually landed on apprentice machinist. Luckily, it was announced the last week of class that Blue Origin is now a sponsor of the AJAC program. Timing wise, I got extremely lucky and I ended up landing the apprentice machinist job.

View Story
Manufacturing Academy Author

Nyck Davis

Manufacturing Academy Graduate

Blue Origin

Contact Us

Have a question about our Manufacturing Academy program? Send us an email below!

Contact Manufacturing Academy

Lifelong Career Training

AJAC’s training programs offer job seekers and incumbent workers an opportunity to advance their skill development from one level to the next. Credentials earned in AJACs program can accumulate over time to fast-track an individuals career pathway to greater employment opportunities and higher paying jobs.

Advance Your Career One Level at a Time

Equal Opportunity | Equal Access

Training of all those served 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.

Video Attribution: A special thanks to Seattle College Cable TV for providing AJAC with footage of the Manufacturing Academy program.