WeTrain Washington Overview
WeTrain Washington (WTW) is a training, education, and career development non-profit, founded by Washington’s largest private sector union UFCW Local 3000, that provides high-quality programs and services to current and future 3000 members, union employers, and community members initially in the retail grocery sector with projected growth in future years in the healthcare, cannabis, and food processing industries.
WeTrain Washington programs aim to promote job quality, economic security, workforce equity and career pathways for participants through employment pathways for underrepresented communities, upskilling and leadership development training for incumbent workers, the creation and expansion of skilled apprenticeship programs, and the development of training benefits programs for workers.
About the Produce Specialist Apprenticeship Program
Produce Specialist Apprenticeship Instructor will teach aspiring Produce Specialist apprentices within the Washington State Meatcutters and Fishmongers Joint-Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC). This committee is a partnership between UFCW Local 3000, the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries, retail grocery employers, and local community colleges. This program is administered by WeTrain Washington.
The Produce Specialist Apprenticeship is a new, one-year program. The goal of this program is to share industry knowledge, skills, and techniques to develop apprentices into highly skilled produce clerks. The program is anticipated to run from January-October over three academic quarters based on the college calendar. Instructors average about four hours of in-person instruction per week. The first anticipated class will begin the week of January 11, 2027. All classes take place between 5:30pm and 9:30pm at South Seattle College, Georgetown. Class day will be finalized with the selected instructor and college scheduling.
About the Role
The Produce Specialist Apprenticeship Instructor are expected to provide the following to Apprentice Produce Specialists:
· Teach 144 hours of Related Supplemental Instruction
· Demonstrate and supervise practice with cutting, culling, and trimming produce
· Provide program homework assignments, oral and written quarterly reports and presentations
· Support apprentice reporting of 2,000 hours of On-the-Job Training
Produce Specialist Apprenticeship Instructors will report to the JATC and South Seattle College, Georgetown.
What You Bring as a Candidate
Required:
o Journey-level Produce Clerk or Manager
o Minimum of three years of experience in the industry
o Deep understanding of the products, production, and sale of fresh produce in the retail grocery industry
o Expertise in the use of a variety of knives; safe handling of this equipment
o Knowledge of food and personal safety
o Being a life-long learner open to continuous improvement as an educator and journey-level Produce Clerk/Manager
o A familiarity with and/or willingness to learn technologies associated with instruction and program administration
o A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the development of the produce department workforce
o Be an excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing
·Preferred:
o A passion for teaching and familiarity with best practices of adult education
o Comfort enhancing curriculum with real life experience that engages apprentices in every aspect of this skilled trade
o Familiarity with the on-the-job training that produce clerks/managers receive at a variety of employers including Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Safeway, QFC, PCC Community Markets, Metropolitan Market, and Town & Country Markets.
o Familiarity with UFCW 3000 collective bargaining agreements
·Physical Requirements:
o Ability to perform range of physical motions
o Exerting and lifting up to 50 pounds
o Standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; and traversing up and down stairs.
o Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
Compensation: Instructors will be offered a supplemental contract at $70 an hour for a maximum of 10 hours a month in October, November, and December 2026 to prepare for program launch.
Once classes begin in January, the instructor will be employed by South Seattle College, Georgetown and paid based on the college's pay scale. Based on the 2025–2026 part-time faculty rate, a part-time faculty member's base salary for the year ranges from $21,971–$29,383. The instructor is eligible for benefits in accordance with the faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Application Process
· Please submit the following information:
o Current Resume
o Cover letter explaining how your background and experience fit the program and position requirements
· Required application materials must be completed and emailed to Megan Williams, Program Director, WeTrain Washington at [email protected] by August 7, 2026.
· All Produce Specialist Instructor applications will be reviewed by WeTrain Washington and the JATC prior to approval.
WeTrain Washington and South Seattle College, Georgetown are equal opportunity employers.
Pay: $21,971.00 - $29,383.00 per year
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
