Apprenticeship programs

Sound Transit’s regional light rail system is growing faster than ever before. Between September 2023 and August 2024, T Line service extended to Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood, 2 Line service launched in Bellevue and Redmond, and 1 Line service reached Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood. 

What’s next? Light rail expansion will continue over the next 20 years with dozens of new stations better connecting Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties.

And we’re also building three new Stride bus rapid transit lines as well.  

A building trades career is physically and mentally challenging, but in the decades to come, skilled workers will be in high demand in our rapidly growing region. You can be proud of what you’ve learned and built at the end of each day. And most importantly, you can support yourself and your family for a lifetime.

Building trades (also called crafts) include laborers, ironworkers, cement masons, carpenters, heavy equipment operators, pipe fitters, sheet metal workers, painters, and many more.

No prior construction experience? You don’t need it! We partner with community nonprofits to train local talent. Most construction training programs we invest in emphasize providing opportunities to women, Native Americans, veterans, people of color, and other diverse groups. These programs generally offer support services and help with job placement.

A career in the construction industry provides a stable, family-wage job with great benefits and opportunities for growth.

Pre-apprenticeships are hands-on training programs that prepare people for entry and success in the building trades. These programs provide construction training and education. They also help with driver’s licenses, transportation, childcare, budgeting, and more.

If you show up and bring your best every day, pre-apprenticeship programs will help you get into a paid apprenticeship program. 

Learn more in the pre-apprenticeship section of the Construction Apprenticeship Guidebook.

Once you’re in an apprenticeship training program, you’ll work on a construction site. This means you’ll earn while you learn.

It takes about four years for apprentices to become experienced journey-level workers. They reach this stage by learning from experienced workers on the job site and taking classes. Apprentices get regular pay raises, plus benefits and a pension. You don’t need a clean record, a college degree, or experience.

Learn more in the union apprenticeship section of the Construction Apprenticeship Guidebook.