Scaling-Up Skills Training: New Facilities in Everett and Spokane
Two major milestones for Q2 were the grand openings of our Spokane and Everett Training Centers in April during National Apprenticeship Week.
Both grand openings brought together community partners, industry leaders, and regional officials, with a ribbon cutting in Spokane to formally launch MI’s presence in Eastern Washington. We were honored to have speakers including Mayor Lisa J. Brown, representatives from the offices of Governor Bob Ferguson and Senator Maria Cantwell’s, IAM General VP Jon Holden and Director of Training & Apprenticeships Shana Peschek, and industry thought leader Drew ‘the Mfg’ Crowe, underscored the center’s role in supporting local employers by expanding high‑quality training and apprenticeship pathways. Facilitated by Greater Spokane Incorporated, these new openings marked a significant step in bringing MI’s training capacity to the east side of the state.
Apprentice of the Year: Tristen Herbig of MSHS Pacific Power group, Industrial Machinery Technician apprentice
But that’s not all for Everett! The grand opening ceremony was part of our Machinists Institute Launch Expo, which doubled as the capstone event of National Apprenticeship Week and award ceremony for the Jonathan “J.D.” Downing Apprentice of the Year.
We were thrilled to welcome our training agents and employer communities to explore hands‑on machining, VR, and welding demonstrations, and celebrate Apprentice of the Year Tristen Herbig of MSHS Pacific Power Group.
Across both events, our partners from manufacturing, education, workforce development, labor, and community organizations reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a future‑ready industrial trades workforce. These new centers significantly expand access to expert‑led training, modern facilities, and career‑advancing opportunities for workers across the region.
Take Off: Revolutionary Child Care for Shift Workers
Last month, IAM 751 and the Machinists Institute marked a major milestone with the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Little Wings Early Learning Academy (LWELA) — a project years in the making and built to uplift both industry and the working families that support them.
The 6,400‑sq‑ft center, located just south of the Everett Union Hall, will serve infants through middle‑schoolers across three shifts, supporting up to 500 families per day, and aims to operate at 60% capacity within the first year. LWELA’s hands‑on, STEAM‑focused curriculum includes the Little Wings Explorers nature program, giving students access to 2.75 acres of on‑campus forest and outdoor learning space.
Slated to open this September, LWELA represents a strategic investment in both families and the child care workforce. The center offers a Family Tuition Scholarship Fund to ease financial barriers, and it has built its own apprenticeship and on‑the‑job training pathways to strengthen the pipeline of qualified early‑learning professionals.
As IAM 751 President Jason Chan noted, LWELA helps families “save money and get some of that precious time back”—and honors the union leaders who laid the groundwork for today’s progress. MI Executive Director Ryan Davis emphasized that LWELA is designed to support both families and providers, addressing long‑standing challenges on both sides of the child care equation.
By supporting workers’ needs, LWELA is a huge win for strengthening industry retention and workforce fortification. Enrollment, tuition details, and ways to get involved will be posted as the fall opening approaches.
Transforming Lives with Pre-Employment Training
“Ever since I’ve been here, I really see a future for myself.”
This is what Gavin Comer, a recent MI graduate, told the Everett Herald in their piece about our programs’ impact back in May. Gavin completed our Boeing Pre-Employment Training (BPET) program, which enables graduates to bypass entry steps of Boeing’s hiring process and accelerate job placement.
Created in collaboration with Seattle Jobs Initiative and Cocoon House, and with funding support from GitLab Foundation, this cohort targeted opportunity youth employment needs and met its goal for 100% completion rate. And this isn’t the first time we’ve seen lives transform through training. This spring, BPET also saw its first graduates from tribal communities, who enrolled after learning of BPET from our team visiting a tribal pre-apprenticeship program to introduce MI’s offerings.
Our students’ success highlights that job training isn’t just about upskilling and increasing industry capacity, it’s revealing new horizons for both workers’ lives and businesses’ growth. Congratulations to Gavin and his peers, and thank you to our collaborators Seattle Jobs Initiative, Cocoon House, and GitLab Foundation for this opportunity to make a real, positive impact.
Growing Partnerships
WELCOME TO OUR NEW TRAINING PARTNERS
Solstice Manufacturing
Solstice Advanced Materials is a global semiconductor and healthcare packaging manufacturer. Born in 2025 from the expansion and spin-off of Honeywell International Inc.’s former Advanced Materials business, Solstice U.S. recently expanded their production capacity through an expansion and improvement project at their facility in Spokane Valley.
Altek, Inc.
Altek, Inc. is truly a one-stop-shop consisting of a state of the art Machine Shop, Mold Shop, Tool Room, and Paint & Assembly Shop. their provide services and expertise in pad and laser printing, masking and painting, EMI-RFI shielding, bonding, testing and assembly.
Deca Fabricators
Deca Fabricators supplies fabricated aluminum extrusion to the Pacific Northwest, and has just enrolled our first 18 Month Machine Operator apprentice with our SW Washington Training Center! Based in Vancouver, WA, Deca Fabrication’s expertise is in extrusion design, tolerancing, and extrusion processes for projects ranging from prototypes to large scale production.
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Until next time,
Built by Workers, Backed by Industry.