The IAM/Boeing apprenticeship is a combination of real world, on-the-job work assignments under the instruction of qualified employees. It includes mandatory off-hour trade related classroom instruction in specific highly skilled trades. The five apprenticeship programs currently offered at Boeing are four or five years in length and include a 20% probation period at the start of each program. Apprentices may work first and second shift on a rotating schedule. Off-hour instruction requires 160 unpaid classroom hours per school year.

Each program is a structured process of training, designed and provided by sponsoring organizations in accordance with the Standards of Apprenticeship approved by the IAM/Boeing Joint Apprenticeship Committee and the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. On-the-job training is supplied by qualified employees who are willing and able to share their knowledge and experience. Off-hour training is self paced instruction provided by qualified instructors with trade experience. Classroom attendance is required and an hours to lesson ratio must be maintained. The classes include Shop Theory, Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Compound Angles, Physics), Metallurgy, and Programming.

Apprentice wages are determined by the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Boeing Company and the IAM. A one labor grade increase is earned for each 1000 hours of successful progress in the program. Graduate apprentices are paid the maximum rate of their target job title.

All applicants for an apprenticeship must be at least 18 years of age; be a Washington State Puget Sound area Boeing employee who has been on active payroll within 8 years of the start of the current application acceptance period and who has never been enrolled in or completed an IAM/Boeing Joint Apprenticeship program; have a GED or a high school diploma; have US person status; meet specific defined vocational training or trade related work experience requirements for the apprenticeship program being applied for; and be able to perform the physical requirements of the apprenticeship. For the Industrial Electronic Maintenance Technician Program applicants must be able to distinguish between primary colors.

For more information on apprenticeship and how to apply, please contact Gina Ames at:

The IAM/Boeing Joint Apprenticeship Office
     PO Box 3707, MC 5X-12
     Seattle, WA 98124-2207
     gina.m.ames@boeing.com
     253-657-2518