Washington Business Spring 2018 | Washington Business | Page 50

business backgrounder | education & workforce
Community and Technical Colleges; and the Aerospace Joint
Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC).
A big part of the problem is a general lack of understanding
about apprenticeships, Poischbeg said. Four years ago, many
people did not know what he was talking about when he
began raising awareness in his community. In the meantime,
his company was spending major resources overseas to build
custom molds for things like boat and marine parts, consumer
products and aerospace parts.
But Poischbeg was familiar with apprenticeships, having
gone through two himself in his native Germany. He connected
with his local career technical education committees, and
worked to find a creative solution. The answer, he realized, is
nurturing his own workforce through apprenticeship training.
Today, SEA-LECT Plastics has five apprentices, plus one youth
apprentice from Snohomish High School. The apprentice
program is administered by AJAC. And more importantly,
the company’s mold making work is transitioning back to the
United States.
The tool and die maker apprentices start at $16.50 an
hour. After five years, they end up at $26 an hour. But most
importantly, they finish with a journeyman’s certificate they
can take anywhere in the country, Poischbeg noted. Other
50 association of washington business
“The more your workers learn, the more
valuable they become.”
— Matt Poischbeg, vice president,
SEA-LECT Plastics
apprenticeships include industrial maintenance mechanics and
plastics process technicians. SEA-LECT also offers benefits like
health and dental insurance, vacation and a 401(k).
The youth apprentices start at $11.50 an hour and move to
about $14 an hour over the course of their two-year program.
Poischbeg is convinced the business benefits, because it’s
saving money. It’s more efficient, more effective, with less
wasted product.
“The more your workers learn, the more valuable they
become,” he said.
To learn more about apprenticeships in Washington
state, contact the state Department of Labor and Industries
at 360.902.5320 or visit www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing/
apprenticeship.
The AJAC can be reached in Seattle at 206.764.7940 and in
Spokane at 509.533.8299, or by visiting www.ajactraining.org.