Workforce Training

Located in a region with a history as an incubator for advanced technologies, sciences, and business ideas, Snohomish County features top-notch community and technical colleges and workforce training programs, and close proximity to world-class universities and research institutions. Snohomish County offers businesses one of the world’s most comprehensive aerospace and advanced manufacturing industry training and research clusters at Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport, and major university extension centers offering advanced degrees in business, engineering, science and technology.

Four-Year Universities

University of Washington: Located in Seattle, just minutes from Snohomish County, UW is Washington state’s flagship institution of higher learning and is frequently ranked among the world’s top research universities.

University of Washington-Bothell: UW Bothell offers more than 35 undergraduate and graduate degrees within six schools and academic programs.

University Center of North Puget Sound: The University Center of North Puget Sound, located on the campus of Everett Community College, partners with eight colleges and universities to provide baccalaureate and graduate degrees, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, business and others, for the residents of North Snohomish, Island and Skagit Counties.

Central Washington University-Lynnwood: CWU-Lynnwood provides students the opportunity to earn their first two years of a bachelor's degree at Edmonds Community College and stay on campus to complete their bachelor's degree.

Community Colleges and Technical Training

Cascadia Community College: Co-located with UW Bothell, Cascadia offers technical, business and liberal arts programs.

Everett Community College: EvCC offers a wide range of education options including associate’s degrees; four-year degrees through the University Center of North Puget Sound; certificates of completion in more than 30 technical and career fields; and professional and employee training through its Corporate & Continuing Education Center.

Edmonds Community College: EdCC offers a diverse range of associate degree, professional certificate, and other specialized education and training programs.

Workforce Training

Workforce Development Council Snohomish County: Workforce Development Council Snohomish County supports local workforce development, including administering the national Workforce Investment Act and other initiatives, to increase the competitiveness of Snohomish County workers and businesses. It oversees WorkSource Snohomish County centers in Everett and Lynnwood that match employers with prospective workers and support job seekers looking for employment and training opportunities.

Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board: The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is a partnership of labor, business and government dedicated to helping Washington State residents obtain and succeed in family-wage jobs, while meeting employers' needs for skilled workers. It oversees a workforce development system that includes 18 education and training programs receiving almost $1 billion annually in state and federal funds.

Information on other workforce development resources in Washington is available through the Choose Washington portal.

Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Training and Research Resources

Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing: The Center, located at Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport, facilitates the growth of aerospace and advanced manufacturing jobs, and the training of skilled labor in Washington state. It works with industry to drive employment into the aerospace and manufacturing sectors including through outreach, communication, and curriculum development with statewide community colleges; engagement and assessment on workforce skills needed by employers; and the development of resources for job seekers and industry.

Washington Aerospace Technical Training and Research Center: The Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center, located at Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport, is a premier educational resource for career pathways in the aerospace industry, offering training programs for high-wage, high-demand aerospace careers.

Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC): AJAC is a statewide, non-profit aerospace and advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeship program that develops and implements registered apprenticeship programs for the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries. Apprenticeship programs combine supervised on-the-job training experience with college-level classroom instruction. AJAC offers apprenticeship programs in Everett and Arlington.

Everett Community College – Advanced Manufacturing Group: EvCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Group brings together the college’s Aviation Maintenance Technician School, Corporate & Continuing Education Center, and professional-technical programs in welding, machining, composites, and technical design in a one-stop, comprehensive division designed to connect regional aerospace and manufacturing companies with EvCC’s workforce development and training solutions.

Edmonds Community College – Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Programs: EdCC offers an extensive range of education and training opportunities for aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and engineering technician careers.

National Resource Center for Materials Technology Education (MatEd): Headquartered at Edmonds Community College and funded by the National Science Foundation, MatEd works to advance materials technology information education nationally, including through creating a national network of industry and educational professionals to increase the number and diversity of highly skilled technicians ready for employment.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Everett Campus, located at the Applied Technology Training Center at Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport, offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as undergraduate certifications, in aeronautics and avionics science, practice and business.

University of Washington, College of Engineering – William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Information on the UW’s aeronautics and astronautics study programs.

Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center: Sno-Isle is a public school for Snohomish County high school students offering technical training through nineteen courses in five different career pathways, including aerospace and advanced manufacturing.