MOSES LAKE — Six youths will receive training and eventual industry certification with the help of a program put together in partnership between Genie Industries, AJAC Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships, SkillSource and North Central Education Service District 171.

The six are part of the Youth Apprenticeship Program, which blends part-time, on-the-job training with college-level classroom instruction, according to a press release from NCESD. The program is part of an initiative supported by Washington Representative Jacquelin Maycumber (R-Republic). The students will be working at the Genie facility in Moses Lake. 

“Selected through a rigorous application and interview process, these six apprentices emerged from a competitive pool of 30 applicants,” the NCESD press release said. 

The program is free to the students. 

“The youth apprentices will embark on their journey through a one-to-one mentorship, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to innovate and develop new products and technologies,” the press release said. “Upon successful completion of the program, students will earn an industry-recognized, journey-level certification as production technicians, coupled with college credits.” 

    Apprentice Jonathan Avecedo Gutierrez, center, with his parents and teachers Dave Oliver, far left, and Amador Castro, far right, during the signing announcement.