Fast, Focused, and Industry-Driven
The aerospace sector is rebounding, with global revenues reaching $829 billion in 2023 — an 11 percent increase over the previous year and $71 billion just in Washington State. This sector supported 194,000 jobs, delivered $19.4 billion in income to Washington employees, and contributed more than $580 million in state tax revenue. Yet production continues to be held back by a shortage of qualified workers. That’s where short-term programs come in: they’re designed to quickly equip individuals with high-demand, job-ready skills in a matter of weeks or months.
Here in Washington State, the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center (AMSC) and the Washington Aerospace Training & Research (WATR) Center, both programs of Edmonds College, are leading this charge. Our programs are created in direct partnership with industry leaders to ensure students are learning what employers actually need — whether in manufacturing assembly, electrical assembly, composites, quality assurance, or tooling.
Graduates, who earn two professional-level certificates, leave prepared to walk into production environments with confidence. They’re able to secure entry-level jobs within aerospace — or other similar industry roles —that can lead to living-wage careers. For those seeking to continue their education, Edmonds College offers stackable certificates and degrees in materials engineering and applied science — bridging short-term training with long-term career growth. These include robotics, CNC machining, engineering design, and more.
Apprenticeships: Earning While Learning
Short-term training is only one part of a larger strategy to build a responsive, modern workforce. Registered apprenticeships are increasingly becoming the next step — providing a structured pathway to sustainable careers.
Apprenticeships, pairing paid on-the-job experience with classroom instruction, make them ideal for both employers and students. Workers gain relevant, real-world experience and earn a paycheck, while employers cultivate a tailored talent pipeline that meets their needs from the inside out.
The Apprenticeship Committee for Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing (AJAC) is Washington’s leading non-union intermediary for these programs. They work with companies statewide to launch apprenticeships in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and production. These efforts help reduce turnover, increase productivity, and elevate workers into roles with higher responsibility and pay.
By aligning short-term training from the AMSC/WATR with AJAC’s apprenticeship pathways, students can move seamlessly from entry-level learning to long-term career development. Employers partnering with the AMSC/WATR and AJAC Training Agent programs benefit from the mastered foundational and technical knowledge combined with “soft skills” of the graduates.
Strong ROI for Students and the State
Workforce training in aerospace yields strong returns. In Washington, students who complete aerospace-related training programs see an average annual net benefit of $22,200. The return on investment for the state? $15 for every $1 spent.
Apprenticeship programs yield similarly compelling results. They help employers build loyalty and grow talent internally, while students gain valuable industry credentials, reduce or eliminate debt, and secure well-paying jobs.
Designed for Real Life
Both short-term skills training and apprenticeships offer the kind of flexibility working adults need. Evening and weekend courses, online and hybrid options, and self-paced modules ensure learners can balance school with jobs, family responsibilities, or military transition.
The AMSC and WATR Center also work to ensure access for traditionally underserved populations — offering support and outreach to women, veterans, and BIPOC communities. Expanding access in aerospace helps ensure a stronger, more representative industry.
Ready for the Future of Work
The aerospace industry is undergoing rapid transformation. Automation, green energy systems, digital design, and new materials are changing the way aircraft are built and maintained. That means tomorrow’s workforce needs more than technical know-how — they need the ability to adapt.
Short-term programs and apprenticeships are both designed with that future in mind. They allow workers to re-skill or upskill quickly as new technologies emerge. From learning the basics of assembly to advancing into automation and robotics, these programs form a foundation for lifelong learning.
The Journey Begins Now
To remain competitive, aerospace companies need workers who are ready now — and ready to grow. Short-term skills training and registered apprenticeships offer fast, flexible, and proven pathways into this high-stakes, high-opportunity field.
At the AMSC and WATR Center, we’re proud to help build that pipeline — delivering accelerated education that meets both worker needs and industry demands. Together with Edmonds College and partners like AJAC, we’re creating opportunities that are accessible, affordable, and built to last.
Whether someone is just starting their career or looking to take the next step, there’s never been a better time to explore what short-term training can help them achieve — to become a valuable asset for the future of aerospace manufacturing.
