Unemployed Everett Residents Invited To Learn Manufacturing Skills For Free

If you know someone in Everett or Snohomish County who has been unemployed for a significant amount of time there may be an opportunity to learn skills that could land them a job in aerospace or manufacturing. Here are the details of a new program just announced…

To support Snohomish County’s manufacturing sector, which accounts for an estimated 27%* of all private sector jobs, the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) and Workforce Snohomish are partnering to skill-up long-term unemployed individuals through a full-time 10 week pre-apprenticeship program, called the Manufacturing Academy (MA). Five classes will be offered, starting Jan. 2015 through March 2016 at WorkSource Monroe in Monroe, WA. MA students will acquire the technical hands-on training, certifications and soft skills needed to pursue entry-level employment in apprenticeable occupations such as, industrial maintenance, machining or precision metal fabrication.

Students participating in this full-time program will:

·         Earn 17 college credits and Manufacturing Basics Short-Term Certificate through a local community college

·         Develop knowledge and experience with basic hand tools, precision measuring tools and major manufacturing equipment, blueprint reading, industrial safety, job planning, basic electrical, physics, sheet metal, applied manufacturing math, welding, metal forming, composites, etc.

·         Cultivate effective communication, resume writing and interviewing skills

·         Gain certifications in CPR/First Aid, OSHA, Flagging, Forklift and Lean principles

·         Connect with local aerospace and manufacturing employers regarding potential career opportunities

AJAC and Workforce Snohomish are recruiting unemployed individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria:

·         Unemployed 27 weeks or longer and/or

·         Exhausted or near exhausted unemployment insurance benefits and/or

·         Qualify for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) as a Dislocated Worker (will be determined through the pre-enrollment process)

Interested individuals who would like to find out more information and apply for the program can email projectrise@workforcesnohomish.org. Class size is limited. Aerospace and manufacturing employers can also participate in the MA and gain exclusive access to the graduates who complete this program. Interested employers can find out more on AJAC’s web site.

An open house will be held for both potential students and employers on January 5 or January 8, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at WorkSource Monroe, 17150 W Main St Suite B, Monroe WA. Pre-register for this open house by emailing projectrise@workforcesnohomish.org.

“Since 2011, AJAC has partnered with workforce development organizations, employers and community and technical colleges in Pierce and King Counties to offer the Manufacturing Academy (MA) program which serves as an additional solution to workforce training and development. These partnerships have helped to prepare over 100 long-term unemployed and dislocated workers annually for careers in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries,” said Demetria “Lynn” Strickland, AJAC Executive Director. “We’re excited about this partnership with Workforce Snohomish and the tremendous opportunity to serve the residents and employers of Washington State and Snohomish County. This training is aimed at providing entry-level skills to address the current skills gap and transition individuals into AJAC apprenticeship programs which provide educational and career pathways to long-term, high-demand livable wage jobs.”

“Workforce Snohomish is proud to be partnering with AJAC and WorkSource Monroe to bring AJAC’s successful Manufacturing Academy to Snohomish County. This partnership will not only bolster the manufacturing workforce in Snohomish County, but will provide opportunities for long-term unemployed individuals to receive proven, employer recognized credentials and training which will take them from long-term unemployed, to long-term EMPLOYEES.”  Erin Monroe, Workforce Snohomish CEO

In 2011, the Manufacturing Academy was established to build an entry-level workforce that can readily respond to industry need and provide long-term employment and career ladders for graduates. The MA curriculum was developed in collaboration with aerospace and manufacturing employers to ensure the program meets industry needs.

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The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) is a statewide, state-funded, nonprofit organization that partners with 150 aerospace and manufacturing employers across Washington State to implement apprenticeship programs for Machining (Aircraft-Oriented), Precision Metal Fabrication, Aircraft Mechanic Airframe, Tool & Die Maker, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic and more. Apprenticeship combines supervised on-the-job training (OJT) with college-level classroom instruction.

Workforce Snohomish is a governing group, representing a broad cross section of the local community, interested in workforce development issues. Workforce Snohomish oversees the implementation, local planning and management of the federal Workforce Investment Act in Snohomish County.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY – EQUAL ACCESS – It is the mission of the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) that training shall be without discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or as otherwise specified by law. Workforce Snohomish is an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training services. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to persons of disability, WA Relay 711.