Student Development Opportunities

The Boeing Company and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and Aerospace Workers have been proud sponsors of summer student development programs which have been serving high school and community college students in the Portland Metro area for 30 years. As a Tech Prep or College Machining program participant you will learn real-world manufacturing skills with a focus on safety and quality. Take the first step in building your career in manufacturing while getting paid to learn!

Machining Tech Prep
Over the course of three summer sessions, you will learn foundational manufacturing skills such as blueprint reading, precision measuring and how to safely operate drills, mills, and lathes to turn raw material in to finished parts. This program is designed for current high school students beginning the summer between their junior and senior years. If chosen to participate in the program, you will be invited back each consecutive summer.

• Year 1: Is a four-week program designed to build knowledge and skills in manufacturing and safety. Areas of focus include: machining, math, blueprint reading, and precision measuring. You will have the opportunity to work with airplane-grade metals to design and manufacture projects using lathes and mills. During the program you will become familiar with the Boeing Production System in addition to learning about rewarding career paths in aerospace manufacturing.
• Year 2: Is a four-week session that builds upon first-year skills such as using precision measuring tools, creating technical documents and operating mills and lathes to produce a finished product. You will participate in a team competition where you and your team will design, manufacture, test, rework and promote a product, in a learning environment.
• Year 3: Is a seven-week job-shadow program. You will rotate through a variety of work groups such as Machining, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Research and Technology and more! The program will conclude with a resume and interview skill-building workshop.

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Assembly Tech Prep
Assembly Tech Prep is a four-week program for recent high school graduates interested in pursuing a career in aerospace manufacturing. In this program you will learn a variety of assembly and manufacturing skills such as reading blueprints, precision measuring. You will learn how to safely operate a variety of hand tools and learn to rivet, drill, and hone aircraft grade metals in Boeing’s training lab. A resume and interview skill-building workshop concludes the program.

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College Machining
During the seven-week, job shadow opportunity, you will learn real-world manufacturing skills, with a focus on safety and quality. You will gain real life manufacturing experience while observing and assisting Boeing professionals. Throughout the program you will have the opportunity to shadow in the areas of machining, inspection and other manufacturing skills in an aerospace environment. A resume and interview skill building workshop concludes the program. Take the next step in building your career in manufacturing, while getting paid to learn!

Click here for more details and information:

To Apply to All Programs:

• Verify you meet all of the program qualifications (these can be viewed in the application).
• Fill out the application to the best of your ability, providing thorough and complete answers. Accuracy and attention to detail are important to ensure your application can be evaluated quickly and accurately.
• Click here to apply today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t attend the onsite Open House?
If you are unable to attend the onsite Open House, join us for an information session where you can learn more about the Tech Prep student development programs, ask questions, and discover how you can benefit from hands-on skill building and real-world experience.

Email Portland IAM/Boeing Joint Programs at portlandjointprograms@boeing.com to request a virtual session link.

Session Details:

Session 1 – Program Overview/Q&A	Thurs, March 19	7 PM
Session 2 – Program Q&A	Wed, April 8	9 AM - Noon
Session 3 – Program Q&A	Mon, April 13	Noon – 3 PM

What Happens After I Apply?
After applications have been received, Boeing invites select students to a formal, in-person structured interview. Boeing will inform applicants within a week the outcome of the interview. If selected for the program, students will then be contacted by PDS Tech, a Boeing contract labor supplier, with onboarding requirements and next steps.

Does Boeing provide housing for students during the program?
No, housing is not provided. If you are invited to participate in the program, you are responsible for your own housing, transportation and food.

How can I better prepare for being selected for a program?
Answer all questions in the application. Be clear and concise with your answers. Attend one of our virtual information sessions or onsite Open House for more tips on successfully applying to one of our programs.

Can I apply to more than one program in the same year?
No, our programs are each designed for students and/or recent graduates at a specific stage in their education. In the application, please choose the option that best describes you, and you will be shown the program options that best fit your experience.

Can I apply for other programs after I complete a Boeing student development program?
Yes, you are welcome to apply as long as you meet the qualifications and requirements of that specific program.

Will I be hired as a Boeing employee?
No, as a participant in one of our programs, you are hired by a contract labor supplier.

Please note that participants in this program are required to be US Persons.

You must be able to provide a document that establishes you are a US Person as well as authorization to be employed in the United States (Either original/official birth certificate or social security card).

If selected for the program, can I use a hospital birth certificate as a proof of identify document?
No, you must provide a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you don't have a copy, contact your birth state's vital records department to request one. Note: this can take a couple of weeks to obtain, depending on location.

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Questions? Contact Portland Joint Programs at 1-800-854-1310 or via email PortlandJointPrograms@boeing.com