Programs like Core Plus Aerospace, a two-year high school aerospace curriculum Boeing helped launch with the state, introduces students to aerospace manufacturing pathways, creating seamless transitions into the workforce or postsecondary technical programs.
“ To date, Boeing has hired more than 1,500 Core Plus Aerospace students, demonstrating the program’ s success in preparing job-ready talent.”
The Boeing Pre-Employment Training Program( BPET) allows candidates from pre-certified academic courses and Military Career Skills Programs to fast track the hiring process when applying for specific manufacturing jobs at Boeing. High schools, colleges and other training partners provide training aligned with current manufacturing skills, and students who have the endorsement of their instructor receive a BPET certification that allows them to receive contingent offers for open positions in their field. Hands-on learning takes place in spaces that mirror real production environments, such as the“ Gray Ghost,” a 767 fuselage section Boeing donated to the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center( WATR Center) at Edmonds Community College in 2023.
Graduates who successfully complete BPET may be eligible to transition directly into Boeing roles, often bypassing the traditional interview process. This makes BPET one of the most streamlined pathways into the company’ s workforce.
Together, programs like Core Plus Aerospace and BPET create seamless pipelines from high school through technical training to employment across the aerospace and manufacturing industries in the region.
These initiatives reduce onboarding time and training costs while ensuring graduates are ready for modern production environments, including lean manufacturing and digital tooling.
EXPANDING ACCESS THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS AND STATEWIDE PROGRAMS
Beyond individual colleges, Boeing supports statewide initiatives such as the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, a public-private partnership that provides financial aid and advising to students pursuing highdemand STEM credentials at both four-year universities and community and technical colleges. Boeing played a key role in launching this program in 2012, with total contributions exceeding $ 30 million, and supported the organization’ s addition of the Career and Technical Scholarship track in 2020 for students enrolled in community and technical colleges.
These investments are especially impactful for firstgeneration and low-income students, boosting enrollment and completion rates in technical programs.
A LASTING IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES AND THE ECONOMY
Boeing’ s investments in Washington’ s community and technical schools demonstrate the power of industryeducation partnerships in workforce development. Through funding, program support, and long-term collaboration, Boeing is helping build a resilient training ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of aerospace manufacturing.
“ As Boeing grows, innovates and launches thousands of aerospace manufacturing careers around Washington, these partnerships will remain essential to powering our state’ s aerospace future— removing barriers to education and creating opportunities for every level of aerospace profession, while contributing to the long-term prosperity of Washington’ s communities and economy."
The Boeing Company
The“ Gray Ghost” 767 fuselage training platform at Edmonds Community College provides students with real-world aerospace manufacturing experience through hands-on training.
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JUNE | JULY 2026 ISSUE NO. 51 21