Federal Way High School (FWHS) welcomed Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti and former state representative Jesse Johnson on Monday, September 28, to observe the school’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program (PAP). Students in the program, dressed in hard hats and construction vests, demonstrated the practical skills they acquire, from electrical wiring to constructing entire tiny homes.
The visit highlighted the program’s unique approach to career readiness, providing a direct route for students to enter the skilled trades immediately after high school. This initiative aims to equip young people with valuable skills, enabling them to secure living wage jobs and avoid significant college debt, a point Johnson emphasized during his visit.
The Pre-Apprenticeship Program was Johnson’s vision. Inspired by his father Ken Johnson, who worked in general contracting and painting in Federal Way for four decades, Johnson saw the value of trades careers. He also learned about the state’s first comprehensive skilled trades program for high schoolers in Marysville in 2019. Johnson, an FWHS alumnus, noted that when he attended the high school, there were no shop classes available, leaving many students without a clear direction if they did not wish to pursue college.
While representing the 30th legislative district in the state House of Representatives, Johnson pitched the idea for a similar program in Federal Way and helped secure the necessary funding. The FWHS Pre-Apprenticeship Program welcomed its inaugural cohort in 2021, and it has since established partnerships with every apprenticeship program across the state.
Students in the PAP are well-positioned to earn competitive apprenticeships upon graduation. Graduates who complete an apprenticeship program reportedly earn an average of $70,000 annually without accruing college debt. When Treasurer Pellicciotti inquired about their motivations for joining, students cited diverse reasons, including having family backgrounds in trades, desiring immediate income after high school, and enjoying hands-on work. Beyond technical abilities, students also underscored the development of soft skills, such as punctuality, through the program.
Despite the program's benefits, students also raised concerns about barriers to entering trades, specifically the costs associated with obtaining a driver's education and license, which are crucial for job mobility.
Pellicciotti, in turn, addressed the students about the importance of financial literacy, advising them to begin saving money as early as possible. He discussed his Washington Saves program, which was established by state law in 2024 and is slated to launch in 2027. This initiative is designed to help workers build savings through contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).
Ricardo Lopez Jr., a senior participating in the program, shared how the PAP has provided him with a clear sense of direction. “As time went on, I realized that I really like working with my hands: building stuff, taking stuff apart and working with the power tools,” Lopez Jr. said. He added that the program is “engraving the path that I want to go in my future,” as he plans to pursue a career as a carpenter or electrician. Lopez Jr. also emphasized the strong sense of community within the program, stating, “Our program builds a family.”
Course instructor Larry DuFresne, who Federal Way Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer and former state representative Jesse Johnson spoke with, prioritizes safety in the workshop. Students and visitors also observed the exterior work area, where students will construct tiny homes in the spring, showcasing the hands-on nature of their learning.
