Apprenticeships vs Pre-Apprenticeships
Pre-Apprenticeships
Pre-apprenticeships may last from a few weeks to a few months and may or may not include wages or a stipend.
- Career Exploration and Exposure
- Entry-level training, short-term certifications & credentials
- Supports acceptance into apprenticeship programs
- Connection to employment and education
Apprenticeships
The majority of an apprentices’ training is done while working for an employer who helps them learn their profession while earning a wage.
- Hired into paid employment
- On-the-job industry training and skill-building
- Formal mentoring by experienced industry professionals
- Continuing education and credentialing
- Career and wage progression
Pre-Apprenticeships
To learn more about these opportunities and how to apply, click on the program link and connect directly to their apprenticeship information and application.
COPES Health Scholars
As a Health Scholar, you will gain firsthand experience in both clinical and administrative health care settings and become an integral part of the care delivery team. You will assist with basic care for patients alongside nurses, physicians, and other members of the care delivery team and have opportunities to learn the “business” of healthcare.
Manufacturing Academy (AJAC)
The Manufacturing Academy is a no-cost pre-apprenticeship program that offers a solid foundational career pathway into aerospace and advanced manufacturing apprenticeship opportunities. The Manufacturing Academy teaches students both soft and technical skills, including applied math, blueprint reading, intro to machining and maintenance, interview techniques, and industry tours with AJAC partnering companies.
Palmer Pathways
Palmer Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship is a program that serves young adults between the ages of 18-26 who have an interest in pursuing a career in the trades. This free program provides 345 hours of training, mentoring, certificates, connection to industry professionals, and ongoing support for pre-apprentices.
Pierce County Skills Center
Introducing high school students to a wide range of career options and training that leads to real jobs. The Skills Center programs are available to juniors and seniors from 10 Pierce County school districts: Bethel, Eatonville, Fife, Franklin Pierce, Orting, Steilacoom, Sumner, Tacoma, University Place, and White River
Sea Scouts
Sea Scouts seeks to prepare youth for careers and jobs in the maritime industry, such as captains, marine mechanics, tall ship educators, and tug, ferry, or fishing boat crew; as well as careers and jobs outside the maritime industry, like military careers, marine biology, teaching, medicine, construction, and management positions. Sea Scouts is a co-ed sail training program for youth ages 14-21.
TLG Pre-Apprenticeship for Veterans
The Network Engineer Training and career placement program prepares students for mid-level roles in the field of network development. Built on a combination of lectures and hands-on practice, this program equips students with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills necessary to begin a successful career in IT.
Apprenticeships
To learn more about these opportunities and how to apply, click on the program link and connect directly to their apprenticeship information and application.
Automotive Apprenticeships
iTAC is an industry-driven apprenticeship program, founded on the belief that mastery occurs on the job. General Service Technician and Master Service Technician apprenticeship programs are designed to develop career-ready skills in the automotive maintenance, repair, and diagnostic industry.
Boilermakers Local 502 Apprenticeship
Boilermakers are metal fabricators and welders who build and repair ships, cranes, offshore-drilling platforms, boilers, tanks, pressure vessels, and structural fabrications. New boiler makers are instructed through a comprehensive apprenticeship program. You will learn welding, blueprint reading, rigging, layout and fabrication, and other industry skills and practices.
Carpenters Apprenticeship
The Northwest Carpenter’s Institute apprenticeship program is a four-year program that provides in-classroom and on-the-job education that helps you learn techniques and build a foundation that will help you grow your carpentry career.
Electrician Apprenticeship
At SW Washington Electrical JATC, learn to install the power, lighting, and controls in commercial and industrial buildings. Limited energy technicians install circuits and equipment for low voltage systems like phones, computer networks, and security systems, while residential wiremen install electrical systems on houses, apartments, and condominiums.
Firefighters Apprenticeship
Washington State Firefighters apprenticeship program consists of academy training, hazardous materials training, and EMT training, followed by on-the-job training and academic instruction, which teaches the craft of firefighting.
IT Apprenticeship Programs
TLG Learning is a major training partner for Apprenti, who created the first U.S. Department of Labor Registered IT Apprenticeship Program. TLG supports several apprenticeship programs, including Software Developer, System Administrator, Cloud Operations Specialist, and Network Operations Developer. Apprenti works with more than 80 hiring partners, including Amazon, Microsoft, JP Morgan, Scripps, and Harvard University.
Network Development Engineer Apprenticeship for Veterans
TLG, in partnership with Apprenti, provides a 13-week intensive IT curriculum to prepare students for placement in positions such as network and software development engineers, data center technicians, and data network operations. During the course of the program, you will learn Networking fundamentals, Essential Linux skills, Architecting a solution, Python scripting for Network Automations, and Cloud Computing.
Laborer Apprenticeship Programs
Opportunities in commercial construction range from working on buildings, bridges, roads, and tunnels and protecting the environment by removing hazardous materials, to building pipelines and using the latest technologies in green construction. LIUNA Training’s Construction Craft Laborer Apprenticeship Program can prepare you for the many different types of jobs a LIUNA member performs.
Public Utility Apprenticeships
Tacoma Public Utilities offers several apprenticeship programs for Line Electrician, Wire Electrician, Meter & Relay Technician, and Water Utility Worker. Each program requires both classroom and on-the-job training.
Sheet Metal Apprenticeship
Western Washington Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee is a partnership between the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers Local 66 and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association of Western Washington, providing six approved training programs in sheet metal and HVAC occupations.
Roofers Apprenticeships
At the Pierce County Roofers Apprenticeship Program, you will work on a variety of building types, protecting facilities against water intrusion and damage to structures and their contents. Learn about the types of roofing, waterproofing, air barrier systems and products, and equip yourself with skills as you grow your career.
For More Information
This guide was designed to highlight apprenticeship programs located within Pierce County, WA. For more information about apprenticeship programs, see the links below.
- To learn more about apprenticeships:
Visit apprenticeship.gov - To add your apprenticeship information to our next issue:
Email us at BusinessSolutions@workforce-central.org - For a list of all Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the State of Washington:
Visit lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/apprenticeship/become-an-apprentice
