SEATTLE – February 6, 2025 – Apprenti, a national leader in registered tech apprenticeships, Bellevue College, Washington state’s largest open-admission institution, and consultant and tribal liaison Christina Riley, are leading an initiative in collaboration with Washington State Tribes. This partnership is established to increase Indigenous access to technology apprenticeships through the creation of a Tribal IT Apprenticeship Advisory Board .
Supported by Career Connect Washington’s Apprenticeship Building America Program, this initiative will bring together tribal leaders to shape a sustainable workforce strategy that meets the unique needs of tribal communities.
The advisory board will play a critical role in addressing key barriers that have historically restricted Indigenous participation in Registered Apprenticeships, including limited familiarity with apprenticeship programs, a lack of employer hosts, and geographic accessibility challenges. By gathering insight from tribal leadership, the board will help guide the development of future apprenticeship cohorts, ensuring that programs are culturally relevant and aligned with the workforce needs of tribal-owned businesses such as banks, casinos, and public utilities.
“Access to high-quality apprenticeships is critical in closing the opportunity gap for underrepresented communities,” said Jennifer Carlson, co-founder and executive director, Apprenti. “By working directly with Indigenous leaders through this advisory board, we can ensure that future apprenticeships truly reflect the needs of tribal businesses and provide meaningful career opportunities in IT and cybersecurity.”
Bellevue College will provide related supplemental instruction through its Continuing Education division, adapting Apprenti’s existing curriculum to meet the needs identified by the advisory board. Training will focus on high-demand areas, including cloud computing, data analytics, software development, and cybersecurity, which will prepare Indigenous apprentices with the skills and certifications necessary for long-term career success.
“We are excited to partner and explore providing better access to relevant IT and technical instruction with the First Nations,” said Miguel Olivares, Associate Dean at Bellevue College Continuing Education. “We strive to become a trusted provider of related technical instruction in IT for the First Nations, Apprenti, and the State of Washington.”
Consultant Christina Riley will play a key role in developing partnerships with tribal leaders, aligning apprenticeship opportunities with tribal needs, and ensuring cultural literacy in curriculum development.
Letters of support from the Nisqually and Lummi tribes affirm their commitment to increasing Indigenous representation in the technology workforce and their support of this initiative to build a stronger, more accessible apprenticeship model for Native communities.
Tribal leaders in Washington state who are interested in joining the advisory board and shaping the future of Indigenous IT apprenticeships can contact: Christina Riley | [email protected] | 360-620-0530
