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This week, employers, educators, state agencies, unions and others celebrate contributions to our local, state and national economy through Registered Apprenticeship programs. Registered apprenticeships improve and expand career pathways and drive economic growth across all industries. Participating in a registered apprenticeship can mean gaining paid, real-world experience, professional skills and industry connections.
To help this effort, Employment Security Department provides Career Connect Washington grants to create and expand apprenticeships. This blog features 2 programs that demonstrate the power of registered apprenticeships for Washington youth. Stay tuned to our blog this week, as we highlight even more pathways shaping students’ futures in multiple industries.
Earn and learn maritime apprenticeship
The first cohort of the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship program graduates this week.
May 1 marks 4 years of comprehensive learning in 12 marine subjects for the apprentices. The program provides marine service technician training in 4 levels — 1 level per year.
Students work at their day jobs and attend the program remotely in the evenings and on Saturdays in Bellingham. Graduates earn a nationally recognized journey-level certification. The program began in October 2022 and achieved “permanent status” in January 2024. Permanent status means the program has official long-term registration from the Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council.
Healthcare pathways from high school to college
The Training Fund's College in High School Apprenticeships give apprentices a pathway to entry-level healthcare occupations through college credits, industry certification and on-the-job training.
One example is the medical assistant apprenticeship in Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima counties. Funding for this program expands access to apprenticeships into communities where few options exist for earn-and-learn opportunities. The program also builds on a pilot apprenticeship at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center for pharmacy technicians. Its first graduating class placed 11 apprentices in pharmacies in King, Snohomish and Island counties.
Apprenticeship Building America grant funds support the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship and College in High School Apprenticeship programs through Career Connect Washington. The Employment Security Department received the $5,682,883 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Read more about USDOL grant funding on the Employment Security website.