Northwest Aerospace News April | May 2019 Issue No. 8 | Page 47

BRIDGING EDUCATION, COMMUNITIES AND EMPLOYERS
In 2016, AJAC began to advise partnering employers about
a promising strategy to address their needs while improv-
ing retention rates, creating community engagement, and
appealing to a broader pool of candidates. In response to
these needs, AJAC developed the state’s first registered
apprenticeship program that allows for youth to include
high school students 16 years and older for the production
technician occupation. Now in year three, AJAC launched
its second occupation for youth — automation/maintenance
technician.
Registered apprenticeship that allows for youth, or Youth
Apprenticeship, has invigorated employers in Washington
State to bring new life into the industry. In 2017, AJAC
started with 17 youth apprentices and nine employers. In
2018, the program grew nearly 200 percent with 67 youth
apprentices and 36 employers. Generating interest among
young adults has been a proven strategy for AJAC’s part-
nering companies. “Bringing the Youth Apprenticeship par-
ticipants into our company is refreshing,” said Janie Vigil,
human resources director at Cadence Aerospace in Tacoma,
Washington.
“You can train them up to be the type of employee that
you want them to be. You can train them right the first time
so they don’t develop the bad habits. Also, I think it’s just
refreshing, because they’re so willing to learn and so open;
there aren’t those barriers to learning.”
An openness to learning requires mentorship from each
employer. AJAC’s programs involve one-on-one mentor-
ship from skilled workers to pass on their knowledge to the
apprentices. Surprisingly to some, mentors have found a
renewed interest in teaching the next generation.
Umbra Cuscinetti, Inc., an Everett-based aerospace man-
ufacturer, started with AJAC’s adult machinist program in
2011. Umbra welcomed their first youth apprentice in 2018.
“It’s really great to mentor somebody,
especially at a young age. They’re so im-
pressionable. They’re so eager to learn.
They really want to be here,”
said Amanda Young, operations lead at Umbra Cuscinetti,
Inc. “We’ve also seen a great impact the youth apprentices
have had on our older machinists and assembly technicians
here. It’s invigorated the workforce.
APRIL | MAY 2019 ISSUE NO. 8
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