Student Development Opportunities

The Boeing Company and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and Aerospace Workers have been proud sponsors of summer student development programs which have been serving high school and community college students in the Portland Metro area for 30 years. As a Tech Prep, or College Machining program participant, you will learn real-world manufacturing skills, with a focus on safety and quality. Take the first step in building your career in manufacturing, while getting paid to learn!

Machining Tech Prep
Over the course of three summer sessions, you will learn foundational manufacturing skills such as using drills, mills, and lathes to turn raw material in to finished parts. This program is designed for current high school students beginning the summer between their junior and senior years. If chosen to participate in the program, you will be invited back each consecutive summer.

• Year 1: Is a four-week program designed to build knowledge and skills in manufacturing, safety, and teamwork. Areas of focus include: machining, math, blueprint reading, and precision measuring. You will have the opportunity to work with airplane-grade metals to design and manufacture projects using lathes and mills. During the program you will become familiar with the Boeing manufacturing system in addition to learning about rewarding career paths in aerospace manufacturing.
• Year 2: Is a four-week session that builds upon first-year skills in a team competition where you and your team will design and build a rocket boat. Teams will be responsible for designing, testing, and redesigning their boats in a race to improve their product.
• Year 3: Is a seven-week job-shadow program based on your personal area of interest. You will rotate through a variety of work groups such as Machining, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Paint, and Assembly, concluding with a resume and interview skill-building workshop.

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Assembly Tech Prep
Assembly Tech Prep is a five-week program for recent high school graduates interested in pursuing a career in aerospace manufacturing. In this program you will learn manufacturing and assembly skills such as reading blue prints, riveting, drilling, and honing parts in Boeing’s training lab. You may have the opportunity to job shadow Boeing professionals on the shop floor. A resume and interview skill-building workshop concludes the program.

Click here for more details and information:

College Machining
As a student in this program, you will learn real-world manufacturing skills, with a focus on safety and quality. The program is a seven-week, job shadow opportunity where you will get real life manufacturing experience and learn from Boeing professionals. Throughout the program you will have the opportunity to shadow in the areas of machining, inspection and other manufacturing skills in an aerospace environment. A resume and interview skill building workshop concludes the program. Take the next step in building your career in manufacturing, while getting paid to learn!

Click here for more details and information:

To Apply:

• Verify you meet all of the program qualifications (these can be viewed in the application).
• Fill out the application to the best of your ability, providing thorough and complete answers. Accuracy and attention to detail are important to ensure your application can be evaluated quickly and accurately.
• Click here to apply today! https://boeing.avature.net/techprep

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens After I Apply?
After applications have been received, Boeing invites select students to a formal, in-person structured interview. Boeing will inform applicants within a week the outcome of the interview. If selected for the program, students will then be contacted by PDS Tech, a Boeing contract labor supplier, with onboarding requirements and next steps.

Does Boeing provide housing for students during the program?
No, housing is not provided. If you are invited to participate in the program, you are responsible for your own housing, transportation and food.

How can I better prepare for being selected for a program?
Answer all questions in the application. Be clear and concise with your answers.

Can I apply to more than one program in the same year?
No, each program has unique application requirements, and you may only apply for the one that aligns with your current grade level/qualifications.

Can I apply for other programs after I complete a Boeing student development program?
Yes, you are welcome to apply as long as you meet the qualifications and requirements of that specific program.

Will I be hired as a Boeing employee?
No, as an intern, you are hired by a contract labor supplier.

If selected for the program, can I use a hospital birth certificate as a proof of identify document?
No, you must provide a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you don't have a copy, contact your birth state's vital records department to request one. Note: this can a couple of weeks to obtain, depending on location.

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Questions? Contact Portland Joint Programs at 1-800-854-1310 or via email PortlandJointPrograms@boeing.com