As Washington’s largest non-profit advanced manufacturing apprenticeship organization, AJAC is expanding its workforce training footprint to develop pathways that are focused on logistics and supply chain management.
Through a new Career Connect Washington Intermediary Grant, AJAC is exploring the need for new logistics-related apprenticeship training programs. AJAC is currently canvassing our employer base and working with partners in Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Yakima Counties to receive additional feedback from industry.
“Historically, our apprenticeship programs have supported occupations focused on the production of goods and products at Washington State manufacturers, but they do not currently support occupations related to the shipping and distribution of these goods across the country and the globe, said Demetria “Lynn” Strickland, Executive Director at AJAC. “This is a missed opportunity, and one that we believe will help grow apprenticeship opportunities for youth and frontline workers across a broad range of advanced manufacturing companies,” she concluded.
Over the next year, AJAC is aiming to directly support frontline and warehouse workers who want to build up additional credentials focused on logistics and supply chain management. AJAC has identified seven in-demand occupations across the state of Washington related to these training needs:
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Production Planning and Expediting Clerk
- Transportation, Storage and Distribution Managers
- Logisticians/Supply Chain Managers
- Compliance Officers
- First-line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers and Material Movers, Hand
- Procurement Clerks
The Center of Excellence for Global Trade and Supply Chain Management is a key partner with AJAC to provide existing curriculum, advice on employer engagement strategies, and identify potential training programs to vet with employers.
The new logistics apprenticeship program will be developed at no cost to employers through public funding secured by AJAC. Companies who provide feedback can tailor their logistics needs to the development process of the programs and ensure the curriculum accurately reflects the need of industry.
AJAC will hold a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, October 26th at 8am to meet with employers and gather feedback on the progress of the logistics apprenticeships. If you would like to participate in our October roundtable discussion, please register today!
To better cater our roundtable discussion, we would like to hear from leaders in the manufacturing industry regarding the needs they have for employees in supply chain related work. If you have a moment, please complete our brief survey.
About AJAC:
AJAC launched in 2008 with an investment from Washington State to skill-up the aerospace and advanced manufacturing workforce through registered apprenticeship. AJAC has developed and implemented 13 high-growth, in-demand apprenticeship occupations to serve a variety of demographics, industries, and companies across the state to include two occupations where youth 16 and older are eligible to participate. AJAC serves approximately 400 apprentices per year at close to 300 companies, partnering with 12 community colleges to ensure that all apprentices are receiving college credits while working towards a journey-level certificate.
