In August 2022, the Hillsboro School District launched Oregon’s first-of-its-kind, industry-recognized and registered youth apprenticeship program: the Hillsboro Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship. This innovative two-year program provides a pathway for high school students, ages 16-18, to receive hands-on, paid training that prepares them for a career in advanced manufacturing, and provides employers with an expanded and diversified skilled workforce. 

Upon successful completion of the program, the youth apprentices will receive accreditation from the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) and will become certified to work anywhere as a manufacturing technician.

Apprenticeships combine academic and technical instruction with paid work experience across many sectors, including advanced manufacturing. In a Registered Apprenticeship Program, apprentices gain a professional network and valuable skills that can help them find a high-paying job in the future. Training in alignment with education moves apprentices from unqualified to fully qualified for their occupations.

There is currently a workforce shortage for advanced manufacturing, both in Washington County and across Oregon. Partners of the Hillsboro Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship program recognize the opportunity to help create a diverse pipeline of talent for applied manufacturing positions, and to increase access to livable-wage jobs for the community’s youth and residents.  

• In Hillsboro, where one out of every four jobs is in manufacturing, there are approximately 800 job openings in the advanced manufacturing sector, primarily at the technician level. 

• Jobs in advanced manufacturing are projected to grow by 7% between 2021 and 2026, adding 2,470 new jobs in Washington County.

• Nationally, apprentices earn on average $300,000 more over their careers than non-apprentices.

The Hillsboro Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship program was created by Hillsboro School District and City of HIllsboro, in partnership with: 

• Intel

• Jireh Semiconductor 

• Tosoh Quartz

• Madden Industrial

• Jobs for the Future

• Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)

The Hillsboro Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship is:

• Available to candidates at least 16 years old before their first day working for the company, a student in good standing, and on track to graduate. 

• Currently available to students participating in an approved CTE Program of Study reflected in the related technical instruction plan for the youth apprenticeship program

• Currently available to Century High School students participating in the Industrial & Engineering Systems CTE Program (For this program, the RTI is Drafting Tech 2 in junior year (11th grade) and Engineering Prep in senior year (12th grade)

 *The Hillsboro Advanced Manufacturing Youth Apprenticeship Committee is currently exploring opportunities to expand to Glencoe’s CTE Program of Manufacturing and Design Technologies and to Hillsboro High Schools’ CTE Program of BioScience Technologies

Applications for the 2023-2024 school year will open on March 13, 2023. 

• Student Applications can be accessed by clicking on this link.

.Applications for the 2022-2023 year are currently closed.

Students
Are you a student interested in learning more about the Hillsboro Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship? Complete this form to connect directly with a member of our team.

Business Partners
Are you a Hillsboro-based employer interested in hosting apprentices in the future? Complete this form to connect directly with a member of our team.

General Inquiries
For all other questions, contact Claudia Rizo at apprenticeship@hsd.k12.or.us.

Q: What is the difference between an INTERNSHIP and an APPRENTICESHIP?

A. An Internship is time-bound, meaning there is usually an end date when the internship experience is over. Internship examples are summer internships or experiences lasting one academic year. The experiences can be paid or unpaid and are frequently hosted by the district or a volunteer sponsor. 

Apprenticeships are similar to a real job, students are hired by a company and paid wages for their work experience. One of the main components of an apprenticeship program is that at the end of the experience, apprentices will earn a Department of Labor certification in their specific field and occupation. Apprenticeship terms are often determined by program standards approved by a committee and overseen by the employer. At the end of the apprenticeship experience, apprentices may be offered permanent employment by the company, in addition, they can take their new skills and knowledge and choose a different pathway, such as continuing education. 

Q: What are the benefits of participating in an apprenticeship program?

A. The Hillsboro Youth Apprenticeship Program in Advanced Manufacturing is an Oregon State-recognized opportunity, which involves a two-year commitment. This program will help apprentices develop skills and earn a progressively increasing salary while utilizing their classroom-learned knowledge into practice in a job setting. Nationally, apprentices earn, on average,$300,000 more over their careers than non-apprentices. 

Q: What are some things to consider when participating in an apprenticeship program?

A.  Apprenticeship participation is a commitment. Students participating must consider this opportunity as a job. Good time management skills are essential for those participating in order to balance school, homework, and work experience. Apprentices must expect to work for their employers full-time during breaks, such as Spring, Winter, and Summer Breaks. Support and mentorship are available to help students adjust, manage, and coordinate their schedules and other commitments.