Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

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Improve your basic skills before applying to an apprenticeship program

Pre-apprenticeship training is available through the programs listed below. You may also research training opportunities through area high schools, community and technical colleges and community organizations. Training is recommended for individuals who need to improve their basic skills before applying to an apprenticeship program.

• ANEW (Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Employment for Women)

  Construction Readiness Training Office
  6770 E Marginal Way S, B-124
  Seattle, WA 98208
  206-768-6671   Fax 206-768-6852
  E-mail: Jennifer@anewaop.org
  Web Site: www.anewaop.org

  ANEW is a nonprofit agency, which operates under grant funding from a variety of sources.  ANEW offers comprehensive trades training to low-income women and men living in King County, Washington.  The training is free to individuals who meet low-income guidelines.  GED or HS diploma is not required.  Classes are 12 weeks long and are held on a quarterly basis.  Orientations are offered year round.

  ANEW started training in 1980 - the longest running pre-apprenticeship program in the United States.

  Participants attend class Monday through Friday.  The course includes basic tool usage, trades math, carpentry, electrical, cement work, painting, iron work, industrial safety, blueprint reading, , flagging, physical fitness and endurance job/life skills training, career exploration and job placement assistance.

• Apprenticeship Opportunities Project
  

  6770 East Marginal Way S B-124
  Seattle, WA 98108
  206-381-1384   Fax 206-381-1389
  E-mail: Vanessa@anewaop.org or Lisa@anewaop.org
  Web Site: www.anewaop.org/AOP.htm

  The Apprenticeship Opportunities Project, funded by the Office of Port JOBS and operated by ANEW, helps people in King County prepare for and apply to apprenticeship programs in construction work.  Services include community outreach, individual skills assessment and career counseling, and support services.  Each participant is interviewed to determine interests and qualifications and is then referred to an apprenticeship program.  Support services funds are available to low-income participants who are accepted into apprenticeship programs and available to buy items such as tools, work clothes, and other equipment needed to begin work
• Apprenticeship and Construction Exploration (ACE)

  A partnership with the Seattle School District, Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees, and Seattle Community College.
  6770 East Marginal Way S.
  Seattle, WA 98108-3405
  Phone: 206-605-7043
  Fax: 206-764-7949

  School-to-Work program designed to give high school students a taste of the trades. Students from Franklin and Cleveland High Schools attend a class at South Seattle Community College and the apprenticeship training centers. The semester class is half day, five days per week. Students receive instruction in safety, first aid/CPR, job skills, math related to the trades, blueprint reading and labor history. Students receive graded high school credit in the following areas: construction building trades, applied math and applied communication. The hands-on approach of this program allows students to work with apprentices and journeymen in the trades. Students attend class for a week. There are at least ten apprenticeship training centers. The program focuses on building good job skills and developing teamwork. Many students from this program have started apprenticeships or gotten jobs in construction-related fields.

• Job Corps

  Four Job Corps Centers are located in Washington: Skagit Valley, Moses Lake, Curlew, and the Yakima Valley. To contact an admissions counselor in your area, call 800-863-5627.
  Web site: www.jobcorps.org

  Job Corps' educational and vocational programs are free to low-income youth ages 16-24 who meet eligibility requirements. While primarily a residential program, many centers also enroll non-residential students from the local community. There are four Job Corps centers in Washington serving over 1,000 Washington youth each year.

  All Job Corps centers operate year-round and offer GED and vocational programs including apprenticeship preparation programs. Some of our centers also offer ESL and High School Diploma Programs. Since each trade has a list of competencies that must be demonstrated to successfully complete the program, training length can vary from six months to two years depending on the vocational and academic needs of the student. While vocational training courses vary by center, all of the vocational training programs include work-based learning components and integrated employability skills (communication skills, punctuality, and responsibility.)

  In addition to academic and vocational training, Job Corps offers job placement, counseling, health care, and related support services to eligible young people who are enrolled in our program. Job Corps also provides post-graduation support services including job placement services, housing and transportation referrals, to our graduates for 12 months following the time they successfully complete their training program.

  Job Corps eligibility requirements:
  - 16 to 24 years old.
  - U.S. citizen or legal resident.
  - low income.
  - support the Zero Tolerance Drugs or Violence Policy.
  
  Cascades (Sedro Woolley): 360-854-3400 http://cascades.jobcorps.gov/
  Columbia Basin (Moses Lake): 509-765-0330 http://columbiabasin.jobcorps.gov/
  Curlew: 800-513-4884 or 509-773-4611
  Fort Simcoe (Yakima Valley): 509-874-2244 ex. 243
  
  National Job Corps: 800-733-JOBS (5627)
  Web site: www.jobcorps.org
  
  Curlew Job Corps Vocational Training Center
  Four pre-apprenticeship programs:
  - carpentry (instructors from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America),
  - bricklaying/tile setting (instructor from the International Masonry Institute/Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers),
  - painting (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades), and
  - laborers (Northwest Laborers' Apprenticeship).
  
  For more information, contact:
  Jennifer Albert, BCL/School-To-Work Coordinator Curlew Civilian Conservation Center
  3 Campus Street
  Curlew, WA 99118
  Phone: 509-779-0547
  Fax: 509-779-0718
  E-mail: jalbert@fs.fed.us
  Information Flyer (83 KB PDF)

• Job Skills for Trade and Industry

  Renton Technical College
  3000 NE 4th St
  Renton, WA 98056
  Please contact Lisa Grothen or Rick Ducharme
  Phone: 425-235-7828 or 425-235-7863
  Web site: www.rtc.edu

  Students gain skills for apprenticeship or entry-level employment in construction, manufacturing, public utilities, and related industries. Courses include theory and hands-on application in a variety of construction skills, job and life skills, strength building, and trades math. Students can get several industry certifications and do projects in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and other trades. This program is designed for low-income individuals in King County. One of the program's goals is to train a diverse workforce, increasing the number of women and people of color who are ready to enter apprenticeship and trades positions.

  Classes begin twice a year, in September and March. Financial aid is available to students who qualify.
  
  Renton Technical College also offers Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, and GED Preparation classes.

• Construction Industry Training (CIT)

  Construction Industry Training (CIT) Edmonds Community College
  Edmonds Community College - Construction Industry Training
  20000 68th Ave. W
  Lynnwood, WA 98036
  Web site: http://cit.edcc.edu
  E-Mail: rsibley@edcc.edu
  Contact Numbers:
  425-640-1827
  425-640-1908 - CIT Program
  425-640-1604 - Business Division, Snohomish Hall, Rm 260

  PROGRAM ENTRY – Fall and Winter quarter. The CIT program is intended for individuals who want to be competitive in the entry-level construction marketplace or who are preparing for entry into an apprenticeship training program. Learn fundamentals of the industry, hands-on skills and earn OSHA 10-hour certification.

  CURRICULUM - CIT courses offer a construction curriculum in conjunction with hands-on tool experience and techniques common to construction projects large and small. CIT courses are skills-based and geared to current industry standards. Skill sets, competencies and program content are refined and updated under the guidance of the Construction Industry Training Advisory Committee. The committee is made up of members representing construction employers, apprenticeship programs and construction educators.

  STUDENTS - The CIT program is designed to serve a diverse population of students with a wide range of prior experience and backgrounds. Students may have no work experience or might have worked for years in a variety of different fields. Some are high school graduates, some have previous college-level course work and some have less formal education. Whatever the work background and education level, students share an interest in learning about the construction industry in a hands-on setting with the goal of applying new skills in the work place.

  COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - CIT classes are offered in the evening during fall, winter and spring quarters. Please see the current EDCC class schedule or Web site for times, dates and room locations.  Classes can fill quickly so students are encouraged to register early. Though it is not required, it is highly recommended that students be physically fit and have either a high school diploma or GED, a baseline requirement for many jobs in the construction field. Edmonds Community College offers pre-college courses for students who may need assistance in meeting these recommendations. The CIT program follows the typical sequence of activities necessary to complete a residential construction project. Throughout the program, students will participate in hands-on exercises with common construction tools and materials. Safe work practices are stressed. Tools, materials, building code and procedural issues associated with specific trades will be covered.

  Information Flyer (203 KB PDF)

• Career Workplace Exploration in Skilled Trades (CWEST)

  Career Workplace Exploration in Skilled Trades (CWEST)
  Richard Ely
  Rainier Beach High School
  8815 Seward Park Avenue South.
  Seattle, WA 98118
  206-252-6423 or 206-909-5566
  Fax 206-252-6351

  The CWEST program is open to any 16-or-older Seattle Public Schools high school student.  It is intended for students who want to find out about careers in the skilled trades like carpentry, electrician, plumbing, welding, concrete, etc.  As a course outcome, the student will know what is expected of them on a jobsite so they can be successful if they choose later to become an apprentice in one of the trades.  They will know that there will be adults who will welcome them and train them even though the student starts out with no skills in the craft.  They will be able to work safely in all kinds of worksites because they will be able to recognize hazards and ask the right questions to deal with them.

  To get this kind of experience, the students work two days a week for 3 hours on an actual jobsite in a one-to-one relationship with a journeyman mentor.  In the other three days, they work in the classroom and shop at Rainier Beach High School.  The worksite time is paid and they also get 1 credit toward graduation.

• New Market Vocational Skills Center

  Construction Trades Program
  A part of the K-12 public school system in Washington State
  7299 New Market Street
  Tumwater, WA 98501
  Phone: 360-570-4500
  Web site: www.nmvsc.com

  The New Market Vocational Skills Center serves high school students from Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Pierce Counties. The Construction Trades program prepares students for a variety of trades in the construction industry. Endorsed by the Tacoma Carpenters JATC and Washington State Labor & Industries, this program provides students direct entry into the Carpentry Apprenticeship program located at Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington. Students graduating with a 3.0 GPA or better also have the opportunity to earn college credits at Bates T.C. via Tech Prep articulations. For the most up-to-date information, please call or visit the Web site.

• Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc.

  1714 NE Alberta Street
  Portland, Oregon 97211
  Phone: 503-335-8200
  Fax: 503-249-0445
  Web site: http://www.tradeswomen.net

  Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. is dedicated to promoting success for women in the trades through education, leadership and mentorship. This program serves Southwestern Washington.

  Pathways to Success - Get the skills to pay the bills!
  This five-week class (three days a week) is designed to help prepare you to work in the trades. Career counseling is the first step to determine what trade you are suited for, then developing a career plan that leads to the career of your choice. Classes are on topics such as Creating Your Trades Resume, visits to apprenticeship programs and basic safety and tools training, including hands-on training. Call 503-335-8200 x21 to find out about upcoming dates, or go to http://www.tradeswomen.net/calendar.html and sign up for a Trades Career Information Session. Sessions are held at the PCC Metro One-Stop, 5600 NE 42nd Ave. (corner of Killingsworth). The program is free!

• Pre-Apprentice Training Programs at Bates Technical College

  Pre-Apprenticeship Career Classes:
  1101 South Yakima Avenue
  Tacoma, WA 98405-4895
  Phone: 253-680-7300 (Downtown Campus) or 253-680-7402 (South Campus)
  Fax: 253-680-7043
  E-mail: apprentice@bates.ctc.edu
  
  Running Start High School Students:
  Phone: 253-680-7004
  E-mail: running-start@bates.ctc.edu
  Web site: www.bates.ctc.edu
  Programs are available for electrician, welding, sheet metal technician, auto and diesel mechanics, auto body rebuilding and refinishing, machinist, carpentry, facilities maintenance engineering, cabinet and millwork.

• Puget Sound OIC (Serves all of Western Washington)

  Mailing address: PO Box 22329
  Seattle, WA 98122-0329
  2531 Rainier Avenue South
  Seattle, WA 98055
  Phone: 206-721-6043 or 800-963-3277
  Fax: 206-721-4537

  This statewide program is a direct placement program responsible for recruiting qualifiable individuals to become apprentices and/or trainees in highway construction jobs. All apprenticeship training is conducted on the job site. This program offers referrals to apprenticeship programs and jobs with contractors on Washington State Department of Transportation projects throughout the State of Washington. The program emphasizes recruitment of women and minorities. Services to contractors are: Assistance in meeting EEO/OJT goals, referral and screening, attendance at Pre-Construction Conferences, and recruitment assistance.

• School to Career Summer Academy at Bates Technical College

  1101 South Yakima Avenue
  Tacoma, Washington 98405
  Phone: 253-680-7264
  E-mail: academy@bates.ctc.edu or scook@bates.ctc.edu
  Web site: www.bates.ctc.edu

  The School-to-Career Summer Academy is a partnership between Bates Technical College, eleven school districts, Private Industry Council and Pierce County Careers Consortium. The purpose of this program is to provide two weeks of college-level training and a two-week internship to high school students who are interested in exploring building trades and technical fields. Students acquire workplace readiness skills, develop career portfolios and create a five-year education/training plan and career plan to follow.

• Seattle City Light's Pre-Apprentice Lineworker

  Apprenticeship Office
  700 5th Avenue, Suite 3300
  PO Box 34023
  Seattle, WA 98124-4023
  Phone: 206-386-1603
  Fax: 206-386-1664
  E-mail: apprenticeship.scl@seattle.gov
  Web site: www.seattle.gov/light/apprentice

  The Lineworker Pre-Apprentice position is a paid, six-month training position designed to help employees gain the necessary skills to become Lineworker Apprentices. Class members are hired together and are temporary employees on a six-month probation. Each day employees report to work with a crew, experience the tasks and assist with some of the chores. Three afternoons a week pre-apprentices report to the Physical Workout facility for Occupationally Pertinent Fitness with the Fitness Trainer. Instruction in pole-climbing begins gradually once a week.

  Before graduation into the Apprenticeship Program, employees must successfully pass a Graduation Physical Strength Test and a 15-day Climbing School Program. Those who pass will enter the four-year Lineworker Apprenticeship and will be hired by Seattle City Light as regular employees with full benefits.

• School to Apprenticeship Programs "Get Electrified, Frame Your Future, and Cutting Edge Technologies

  1305 Tacoma Ave South Suite 201
  Tacoma, WA 98402
  Phone: 253-552-2542
  Fax: 253-593-7377
  E-mail: tljohnson@pic.tacoma.wa.us
  Information Flyer (488 KB PDF)

  Summary of the program:
  Program was developed in 2003 and initiated by electrical industry partners seeking a venue by which to develop a much needed younger and diverse workforce. This is a pre-apprenticeship training program that employs, prepares, and directly links high school youth to apprenticeship training through classroom and on the job training. Training includes construction skills preparation provided by our industry partners (JATC) along with life skills training that include a 10 week conflict resolution class, work ethics, and introduction to budget and financing.  Upon successful completion, graduates immediately enter the apprenticeship training program with the South West Washington Electrical JATC, the Pacific North West Carpenters JATC, and the South West Washington Sheet Metal JATC.

  Goals and objectives:
  The Programs' goal is to increase access to programs that expose, prepare, and link youth to apprenticeship opportunities resulting in an increased supply of skilled workers for high demand occupations, using unique industry driven program design.We will utilize ongoing outreach and marketing strategies to target specific populations within Pierce County promoting greater diversity in the workforce. Especially young women, students of color, and youth who face barriers to staying in school and/or finding stable  employment due to age, skills deficiencies, learning disabilities, and/or are low-income. Such participants are given special consideration to participate in The School to Apprenticeship Programs.

• Spokane Home Builders Association, Inc., and the Department of Corrections Pre-Apprenticeship Program

  Kim Waseca-Love, Apprenticeship and Training Director
  5813 East 4th Avenue Suite 201
  Spokane, WA 99212
  Phone: 509-532-4990
  Fax: 509-532-4980
  E-mail: kimw@shba.com

  Carpentry is the largest of the construction trades. Carpenters with skills in all aspects of the trade work more steadily because they have the versatility to perform whatever types of jobs are available.

  The Home Builders pre-apprenticeship carpentry training program is a competency-based educational plan that provides inmates a skill for employment upon their release. During their training, inmates are provided information regarding all available apprenticeship programs in Washington State where they may continue with their training or pursue different trade interests in an ongoing effort to reduce recidivism rates as well as to help fill the construction trades skills gap.

  The mission and goal of the program is to train inmates in the basic skills of carpentry, which will allow them to work in construction related work, as well as institutional jobs, and to provide inmates with an educational and career path to follow. Classroom projects and content are taught with the application of the vocational skills needed, while developing an atmosphere of teamwork in accomplishing goals. A strong emphasis is placed on basic job skills. Students in this 12-week, 450-hour program gain the required skills, as well as strong work ethics, and accountability while gaining competence in skill and knowledge.

• Spokane Schools and Skills Center Pre-Apprenticeship Program

  Provides a pre-apprenticeship online registration and scheduling page for businesses, apprenticeships, contractors and organizations!

  Schedule job shadows, orientations, industry workshops, apprenticeship experiences and jobsite learning experiences.

  You can schedule a pre-apprenticeship learning opportunity by:

  • Selecting the category you fall under.
  • Selecting the type of pre-apprenticeship opportunity you would like to offer.
  • Identifying the number of openings available for the opportunity you are offering.
  • Identifying the starting and ending dates.
  • Identifying the starting and ending times.
  • Identifying the location of the offering.
  • Listing any special requirements.

  Pre-apprenticeship students will be able to access this information and sign up for offerings. They will then make contact prior to the scheduled date and will arrive for the experience with all required paperwork. The contact person will need to sign the paperwork and provide the student with a signed certificate of completion. These certificates will be sent to the contact person prior to the scheduled date.

  Spokane Public Schools pre-apprenticeship program.

  Contact Katie Adkins, katiea@spokaneschols.org for more information.

• Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training (PACT)

  2120 South Jackson Street
  Seattle, WA 98144
  Phone: 206-587-4974
  Fax: 206-587-4939
  E-mail: bmarkholt@sccd.ctc.edu

  The Multiple Trades program prepares students to enter into any of the construction trade apprenticeships. Strong emphasis is placed on basic job skills such as punctuality, perseverance, positive attitude and work ethic. In addition, students receive training in safety, tool and material identification and proper use, blueprint reading and trades math. Certificates are provided in First Aid/CPR, traffic control and forklift operation. The twenty-two 660-hour programs offered by SVI serve primarily low-income women and men, including about 25% immigrants. Most of our graduates from the past two years are working apprentices. Many of our graduates have already journeyed out. Remedial education is available.

• Youth Building Tacoma

  1305 Tacoma Avenue South, Suite 201
  Tacoma, Washington 98402
  Phone: 253-593-7331
  Fax: 253-593-7377
  E-mail: mropella@pic.tacoma.wa.us

  The Youth Building Tacoma Project is funded by the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma-Pierce County Employment & Training Consortium. The goal of the project is to assist City of Tacoma residents, ages 18 to 24 years old, in obtaining employment and/or training related to the building and construction trades and emerging technology career fields. Services include educational assistance, work experience projects, career counseling and exploration, on-the-job training opportunities, support services, job search assistance and assistance in connecting with apprenticeship program.

• Youthbuild Tacoma (YouthBuild USA)

  58 Day Street
  Somerville, MA 02144
  Phone: 617-623-9900
  Fax: 617-623-4331
  E-mail: info@youthbuild.org
  Local Contact:
  Tacoma Goodwill Industries
  714 South 27th Street
  Tacoma, WA 98409
  Phone: 253-576-4515
  E-mail: kkurtz@tacomagoodwill.org
  Web site: www.youthbuild.org  or www.tacomagoodwill.org

  Tacoma Goodwill’s Youthbuild program, an affiliate of YouthBuild USA, provides Pierce County youth with an opportunity to obtain their GED and nationally recognized trade certificates during an intensive nine month program. Through their partnership with Bates Technical College and an articulation agreement with the Carpenters Union participants are able to work towards their GED and apprenticeship. The program also offers PACT (Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training) which is recognized by the Master Builders Association throughout the country. The program alternates between on the job training/theory, classroom and community service. While the program focuses on carpentry and other construction related skills, participants are encouraged to explore different employment options as well as post secondary education. Youth will receive First Aide/CPR training as well as certificates from L&I relating to job safety.

For more information, please contact the Apprenticeship Section.

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