Congressman Adam Smith, D-Bellevue, far left, and Kent-Meridian High School students on April 5 tour the Kent training center of the Northwest Carpenters Institute of Washington. COURTESY PHOTO, Adam Smith

Congressman Adam Smith, D-Bellevue, far left, and Kent-Meridian High School students on April 5 tour the Kent training center of the Northwest Carpenters Institute of Washington. COURTESY PHOTO, Adam Smith

Congressman Smith joins Kent-Meridian High students on apprenticeship tour

At Kent-based Northwest Carpenters Institute of Washington training site

Congressman Adam Smith, D-Bellevue, recently joined Kent-Meridian High School students for a tour of the Kent-based Northwest Carpenters Institute of Washington.

Students had the chance to meet with current apprentices and learn more about job training opportunities in the region during the April 5 visit. The Kent training center is at 20424 72nd Ave. S.

Smith, whose 9th District includes parts of Kent, talked about the importance of unions and job training programs for creating economic opportunity.

“I am a strong supporter of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs because they help ensure that individuals have access to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries,” Smith said, according to an email from Smith’s communications director. “Programs like the Northwest Carpenter’s Institute offer great alternatives to college for young people leaving high school, and I’ll continue my work to connect high school students with these programs and make them more accessible for everyone in our region.”

Northwest Carpenters Institute has about 1,800 apprentices across the state. In addition to the Kent training center, the program has facilities in Renton at Renton Technical College and in DuPont, Burlington, Kennewick and Spokane.

An apprentice with no experience makes $30.86 per hour with full benefits and a pension paid by the contractor, said Marianna Hyke, outreach coordinator for Northwest Carpenters Institute, in a December 2022 Kent Reporter article. If the apprentice meets minimum work hours and class requirements every six months, the pay jumps 5%. Once the apprentice moves up to journeyman, pay can reach $51 per hour.

Applicants must be at least 17 years old. They do not need a high school diploma or GED but Hyke said they encourage everyone to get a high school degree.

Applicants will fill out information online and select a trade orientation based on the craft applied for. At orientation, the applicant will be evaluated and scored on a math test as well as moving materials, hammering so many nails and taking measurements. Those scores will decide if the applicant moves to an interview.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

Congressman Adam Smith speaks during an April 5 tour of the Northwest Carpenters Institute of Washington training center in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Adam Smith

Congressman Adam Smith speaks during an April 5 tour of the Northwest Carpenters Institute of Washington training center in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Adam Smith

Congressman Adam Smith, D-Bellevue, 9th District.

Congressman Adam Smith, D-Bellevue, 9th District.

More in Business

t
Half Lion Public House closes at city of Kent’s Riverbend Golf Complex

City staff working on potential reopen plan; Half Lion faces civil lawsuits over other matters

Anne Smith of Retro Emporium in Kent with an alien invader from "Mars Attacks!". Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Ack ack ack! Retro Emporium attacks with four Best of Kent awards

Since opening in 2019, Retro Emporium in Kent has been a favorite… Continue reading

Reber Ranch has been open in Kent since 1984. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Reber Ranch gets the blue ribbon

A pet store, feed store, grooming salon and veterinary office all rolled… Continue reading

Photo courtesy of Big Chicken:
The first Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken to open in Washington state is at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, with the new Renton location being the second.
Shaq’s Big Chicken partners with Kent’s Blue Origin for space postcards

Big Chicken postcards will be placed aboard an upcoming Blue Origin space mission

Courtesy Image, Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau issues warning about Kent construction company

DJE Concrete & Construction receives F rating from agency after failing to complete jobs

t
AWB manufacturing week tour makes stops in Kent, Auburn

Tour highlights Motors and Controls; Boeing Additive Manufacturing plant

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
June Paik (left) and her employees at Master Hair Care can work with clients for hours to find the perfect wig or hair piece.
Master Hair Care offers quality wigs, warm service for cancer patients

Located in Federal Way, this woman-owned small business is one of the most recommended in the area for people experiencing hair loss.

t
FAA closes Kent-based Blue Origin flight mishap investigation

Agency requires company to implement 21 corrective actions before next launch

t
Simpson Strong-Tie opens new Kent distribution center

Company makes structural connectors for construction industry; facility on former Boeing property

t
Kent salon owner bounces back from shop’s building fire

Wilder and Free Beauty Company sustains damage in Sept. 2 fire; seeks temporary location

t
Seattle Children’s to close downtown Kent thrift store

Kent Bargain Boutique opened 28 years ago

Employees wear shirts with the big Big Chicken chicken on the back. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Bok-bok: Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken opens in Renton

The restaurant had its grand opening Dec. 17.