Maintenance Technician Apprentice

Location: King County (Placements Vary by Employer)

Schedule: Full-time employment + One evening class per week

Compensation: $26-$50/hour (Actual starting wage and journey-level wage vary by hiring employer. Apprentices are employees of the participating company and receive progressive wage increases as they advance through the apprenticeship.)

If you’re interested in becoming a maintenance apprentice, your first step is to complete AJAC’s Career Navigation Form (https://www.tfaforms.com/5156413)

Start Your Career in Industrial Maintenance

AJAC is recruiting motivated individuals interested in a long-term, hands-on career in advanced manufacturing. Through this registered apprenticeship, you’ll work full time for a local employer while completing weekly college-level classes that build your maintenance expertise.

For candidates with manufacturing and/or maintenance experience, this apprenticeship offers a more structured pathway for advancing your skills through hands-on training, expert mentorship, and recognized credentials.

What You’ll Do as a Maintenance Apprentice

Maintenance apprentices learn by doing. While employed full time by an AJAC partner company, you will:

• Read technical manuals and blueprints to understand equipment and controls
• Disassemble machinery and equipment for maintenance and repair
• Perform tests and operate machinery to verify functionality
• Adjust and calibrate equipment to optimal specifications
• Apply knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and fluid power systems to solve real-world problems

The program includes about 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus 12 college-level classes, held one evening per week.

What You’ll Learn in AJAC’s College-Level Classes

Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll complete a structured sequence of classes designed specifically for the maintenance trade:

• Precision Machining 1: Manual machining fundamentals, job plans, tolerances, and hands-on training with mills, lathes, and drill presses.
• Technical Drawings: How to read, interpret, and create engineering drawings used in machining and fabrication.
• Lifting & Rigging: The apprentices will learn about the practical application and safe operation of lifting equipment commonly used in industrial maintenance such as forklifts, scissor lifts, and cranes.
• Materials, Processes & References: Material properties, outside processes, and industry standards that influence machining decisions.
• Maintenance Welding: Explore theory and practice for cutting processes such as oxyfuel cutting, plasma cutting, and ironworker operation. Apprentices will practice welding techniques using the following processes: GMAW (MIG welding), SMAW (stick welding), and OAW.
• Electrical Systems: In this course, apprentices will learn about industrial electrical theory, components, and equipment necessary to troubleshoot electrical problems. Apprentices will begin by learning to interpret electrical symbols, diagrams, and terminology.
• Machine Automation Theory: This course explores advancing technologies in manufacturing relevant to industrial maintenance, including computer numerical control (CNC) technology, automation, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• Math for Industrial Maintenance: Apprentices will develop a working knowledge and practical application of mathematics as it relates to industrial maintenance. All basic math concepts will be covered, including adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions, ratio, proportion and percentages.
• Maintenance Machining: The apprentices will explore intermediate-level theory, application, and hands-on experience with precision machining practices for industrial maintenance.
• Mechanical Systems: Learn to maintain all of the elements of a mechanical system. Apprentices will begin by exploring mechanical fundamentals such energy, mechanical forces, and simple machines. Apprentices will learn to troubleshoot, assemble, and maintain couplings, gears, pulleys, chains, sprockets, and brakes.
• Fluid Power Systems: Apprentices will explore the fundamentals of fluid power systems, including structures and components, operation, safety, as well as interpreting related standards, symbols, and diagrams. Hydraulic fluid types, properties, handling, and maintenance topics will be covered.
• Mechatronics Capstone Project: In this course, apprentices will design, build, and implement a mechatronics project that incorporates skills that have been studied and practiced throughout the industrial maintenance technician apprenticeship.

Together, these classes help you build the knowledge, mechanical aptitude, and technical foundation needed to become a highly skilled maintenance technician.

Why Choose a Maintenance Apprenticeship?

• Earn while you learn — full-time employment from day one
• Low-cost college classes (many employers cover tuition completely)
• Nationally recognized journey-level credential upon completion
• Career pathways into advanced roles like Supervisor, Shift Lead, Maintenance Manager, or Operations Manager
• Training that fits your life — evening classes so you can work during the day

Basic Minimum Requirements:

• Current Washington State Resident
• 18 years or older
• High school diploma or GED (or qualifying test scores)
• Ability to work full time with one evening class per week
• Eligible to work in the United States

How to Get Started:

If you’re interested in becoming a maintenance apprentice, your first step is to complete AJAC’s Career Navigation Form (https://www.tfaforms.com/5156413). This helps us:

• Learn about your experience and career goals
• Determine whether your current employer can participate in apprenticeship
• OR match you with a new employer who is hiring maintenance apprentices

Many applicants aren’t sure where to begin—this form helps us guide you.

Complete Our Career Navigation Form Here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5156413

The Process You'll Go Through:

To enroll in an AJAC apprenticeship, the following steps must be completed. AJAC will walk you through each one:

1. Work for a Partner Employer: If you already work for a manufacturing employer, AJAC can reach out to them and help get an agreement in place. If you are not currently employed, AJAC will help identify companies that are hiring and willing to sponsor a maintenance apprentice.

2. Receive Employer Approval

Once your employer partners with AJAC, you’ll need their approval to enroll. This ensures the company supports your participation in the program and can provide the On-the-Job Training required.

3. Complete Enrollment with AJAC

An AJAC representative will meet with you at your workplace to complete enrollment.

Apply Today

Start by completing AJAC’s Career Navigation Form (https://www.tfaforms.com/5156413). Once we receive it, an AJAC team member will follow up, help determine employer placement, and guide you through the next steps into the Maintenance Apprenticeship.

Launch a career you can grow with. Take the first step today.

About AJAC

AJAC is a nonprofit apprenticeship organization that partners with manufacturers, community colleges, and workforce agencies across Washington State. Our mission is to create hands-on pathways into advanced manufacturing careers—especially for those new to the industry.

Pay: $26.00 - $50.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Professional development assistance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person