MARYSVILLE—Community members, elected officials, and labor industry leaders toured Marysville-Pilchuck High School’s Regional Apprenticeship Pathways (RAP) program Tuesday, April 29, to see, firsthand, how these students’ newfound technical skills have been put to the test in preparation of paving the next generation of trade workers.
The RAP Program is a state-certified pre-apprenticeship program training the next generation of workforce in the building and construction trades. Starting in the 2019-2020 school year, the RAP Program is available to students in the Arlington, Darrington, Everett, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Marysville, Stanwood-Camano, and Sultan school districts.
Since the program’s inception, the state legislature has funded the program with one-time funding in each biennium ($1.5 million per biennium). Securing ongoing funding at the new level signals the program’s success and the legislature’s recognition of the importance of training opportunities for the building and construction trades.
The program was the brainchild of Snohomish County Councilman Nate Nehring who, back in 2018, led a series of discussions with local employers, educators, and labor leaders on how to address the lack of workforce in the building and construction trades.
“Every time I come here there’s always something new happening and I’m always so impressed by the work that the students are doing and the staff and instructors – it’s really cool,” said County Councilman Nate Nehring. “It gives me a lot of hope and optimism for the future here in Snohomish County.”
The product of these discussions was an effort to increase the pipeline of potential workers in the trades, now called the Regional Apprenticeship Pathways (RAP) Program.
What began as a 25-student apprentice class with no official shop space has now grown to train 75 students a year with real-life trade skills. In the last six years the program has grown tremendously from strengthening its safety protocols and fine-tuning its curriculum with the support of its various trade partners, to expanding career path offerings through various grants and broadening partnerships between school districts and industry.
“Regional Apprenticeship Pathways is thriving. Today’s showcase is more than just a celebration of what we’ve built, it demonstrates who we’re becoming,” said Anne Carnell, Career and Technical Education Assistant Director at Marysville School District.
Students in the RAP program gain hands-on, technical, experience in multiple trades including plumbing, sheet metal work, welding, cement masonry, carpentry, electrician, and more.
Students enrolled in the RAP program not only gain both high school and college credits but land a guaranteed interview with an esteemed labor union rep at the end of the course, with many of these interviews resulting in apprenticeship programs right out of high school.
At Tuesday’s RAP Spring Showcase, students led attendees through tours and showcased some of the projects they’ve achieved this semester which include sheds, tiny homes (which will be donated to the homeless), furniture, and even award-winning results from competing in the SkillsUSA National Championships.
Attendees included State Representative and County Councilman Sam Low, Vice President of the Port of Everett Commission Glenn Bachman, Marysville City Council members Stephen Muller and Kelly Richards, PUD Commissioners Dr. Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, Sydney Logan, and Tanya Olson, Snohomish County Councilman Jared Mead, Prosecutor Jason Cummings, and Fire Commissioner and former Stanwood Mayor Leonard Kelley.
“RAP is more than just a program. It’s a place where pre-apprentices gain skills and values that set them apart, instills a strong work ethics, dedication, and problem-solving ability, respect for the trade and respect for one another,” said Jason R., second year RAP student. “I didn’t expect to find a family in the last two years of high school, but RAP became a workplace family.”
Duck B., a first and only RAP program student, enrolled in the program through her love for theater arts, hoping to develop the skills to learn how to get into stage production set design. She plans to attend Western Washington University this summer to pursue a theater degree in set construction.
“This experience has been key in shaping my aspirations for a future career,” said Duck.
Another RAP student, DeeDee, entered the RAP program not knowing what she wanted to do after high school. Over the past two years she gained hands on experience with masonry, carpentry, welding, plumbing, and electrical, learning that she really enjoys welding. After graduating in June she plans to continue this love by joining the Sheet Metal Union.
Culminating Tuesday’s Spring Showcase, Leonard Kelly, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Snohomish County Labor Council, was honored with the 2025 RAP Champion Award for his leadership and passion for workforce development.
“Leonard Kelley has been instrumental in building bridges between labor, education, and government,” said Snohomish County Councilmember Nate Nehring. “His commitment to supporting students and growing our local workforce is truly inspiring, and we are grateful for his years of advocacy and partnership.”
Kelley, in acceptance of this accolade, shared that he believed in the RAP program when he first of the idea through a breakfast conversation with Councilman Nate Nehring, adding that the region “needed it.”
“I’m so glad I had that breakfast conversation with Nate because without him it wouldn’t have thrived the way that it has. Thank you for this honor. I will display this one proudly,” said Kelley.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
