College in High School Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship Programs for High School Students

Students complete the program with:

  • High School diploma
  • College Credit
  • National Certification

all at no cost to themselves!

In 2024, we launched the first ever high school apprenticeship program in Washington. Now we are expanding these programs and our partnerships to offer more College in the High School Apprenticeship opportunities. These are a CCW career launch program.

“This apprenticeship program has impacted my life by creating the opportunity for me to apply my love for healthcare and helping others into the real world,”

Arizona is the first CiHS Pharm Tech apprentice licensed in Washington state! She remains working part-time as she is attending college locally.

Arizona Kerker

Pharmacy Technician Apprentice, Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center

Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship- College in High School

The Pharmacy Technician College in High School Apprenticeship program is an entry-level pathway to becoming a certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). A certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is a licensed staff person able to perform non-discretionary functions in a pharmacy.

The Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship provides students with classroom instruction and skills learning in collaboration with Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center (Snohomish County). Classroom instruction is followed by on-the-job training to enter the healthcare workforce as a Pharmacy Technician.

Apprentices “learn while they earn”—working full time while gaining skills taught by experienced teachers, coaches, and assigned mentor/preceptor Pharmacy Technicians. Apprentices earn college credit through our program partnership with North Seattle College’s stellar Pharmacy Technician program.

The pilot apprenticeship program for Pharmacy Technicians involves:

  • 264 hours of classroom and lab sessions
  • 24 elective college credits from North Seattle
    • In-person instruction through Skills Center Instructor
  • After 536 work hours students are eligible to take PTCB Exam
    • Employer placements may include independent and retail settings
  • Full Apprenticeship Opportunity: 2000 On the Job Training hours
    • Work as a Licensed Pharmacy Technician for an additional 1,464 hours to complete the full 2,000-hour
      apprenticeship program. Receive advanced skill training.
  • Pharmacy Technician State Certification after passing national test

Sno-Isle TECH Instruction and On-the-Job Training Schedule

Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center and HCAC provide support services to students throughout the program. This program is specifically set up to help high school students balance school, their first job, and other commitments.

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship- College in High School

A certified Medical Assistant (MA-C) is a licensed staff person able to perform clinic, lab, and hospital
tasks consistent with their license. Apprentices “learn while they earn”—working full time while gaining skills taught by experienced teachers, coaches, and assigned mentor/preceptor Medical Assistant. Apprentices earn college credit through our college program partnerships. Apprenticeship-style learning:

  • 288 hours of MA curriculum spread over the school year in classroom
  • 2000 hours on the job​ training
    • Track on Competency list
  • 21 college credits through Clover Park Technical College
  • Total time: 1 school year + 12 months to complete OJT

Benefits include​​​:

  • Hands-on learning​​
  • Employer-led training ​​
  • Mentorship
  • Earn while you learn
  • Part-time staff while in school
  • Full-time staff with benefits after graduation
  • WA State Department of Health Medical Assistant Certification

Medical Assistant Skills Center Instruction & On-the-Job Training 

First Graduating Class of Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship. This program placed 11 apprentices in 2024 in local pharmacies in King, Snohomish, and Island Counties. 

“It’s been really wonderful to collaborate with the Training Fund on this project. They’ve been able to provide us as the employer with so many more resources to make sure that we’re giving the best to the apprentice as possible and helping with their overall training so that they can be as successful in the outcome of taking the test, becoming a licensed and certified pharmacy technician.”

Dawn Ipsen

Pharmacist & Owner , Kusler’s and Clark’s Compounding Pharmacy

I believe that other skill centers would benefit from having this program. It’s another medical pathway that you could consider. It’s also a great partnership with the Healthcare Consortium and Training Fund. And even if they don’t know what they want to do, as a lot of high schoolers don’t, this creates great visibility to the pharmacy world.”

Shelly Griner

Pharmacy Technician Instructor, Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center

Partner with Us

These first of their kind apprenticeship programs are a partnership with Skills Centers, Colleges, Employers, and the HealthCare Apprenticeship Consortium. Join us! 

Reach out to Mary Ramolete, Strategic Partnerships Project Manager at to learn more about partnering with us in this work!

Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium logo
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund logo
Sno-Isle TECH logo
Tri Tech Skills Center logo
Yakima Velley Technical Skills Center logo

New Market Skills Center