Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee

Specialties

«The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) is a statewide, state funded, non-​profit organization that strives to keep the aerospace industry alive and thriving in Washington State by creating the next generation of aerospace and advanced manufacturing tradespeople. Washington State funded the creation of AJAC to offer advanced manufacturing employers a proven method to capture the knowledge and skills of their most experienced tradespeople and pass it on to the next generation. AJAC is creating this next generation by developing and implementing education and training programs, called apprenticeship. Apprenticeship combines supervised on-​the-​job training experience with college-​level classroom instruction enabling employees to earn while they learn and employers to increase their workforce skills without disrupting production. In an AJAC apprenticeship program apprentices earn competitive pay and credits towards an associate’s degree.»

History

Established in 2008.

In 2008, the Washington State Legislature recognized that there was a looming shortfall of aerospace workers. Funds were allocated to establish the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) charged with designing, developing and implementing apprenticeship programs for multiple aerospace occupations.

Apprenticeships are not just about providing training; they are a vital connection between education, workforce development and economic development.

Meet the Business Owner

Laura H.

Business Owner

Laura was raised in Japan and came to the US to attend college where she received a degree in Sociology. She went on to get her Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license and also received her helicopter private pilot’s license. Laura worked in the aerospace industry first as a mechanic then transitioned into a Customer Quality Support representative working primarily with Japanese airlines. During this time, she received her Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science and went on to become Dean of the Part 147 Aviation Maintenance program at South Seattle Community College. She later transitioned to Dean of Transportation programs. In September of 2008, Laura began working as Training Director of AJAC. She is now the Executive Director of AJAC.