BRIC Foundation and WDC Partner to Launch Registered Apprenticeship in Washington State, Expanding Creative Economy Careers
This press release was originally published by The BRIC Foundation. We’re excited to collaborate on expanding registered apprenticeship pathways in Washington’s creative economy and are sharing their full release below.
Partnerships with Seattle, King County, and Washington State Bring Proven Training Model to Support Washington’s Growing Creative Economy Sector
SEATTLE, January 23, 2026 – The BRIC Foundation announced the launch of its federally and state-recognized registered apprenticeship program in Washington State, bringing innovative workforce development opportunities to the state’s thriving creative economy.
The BRIC Apprenticeship is a workforce training program that combines paid on-the-job training with mentorship and job-related academic instruction to support youth, justice-impacted individuals, and veterans of all backgrounds in obtaining entry-level jobs across entertainment, media, and tech. BRIC has registered two occupations designed to support Washington’s Creative Economy pathways: Marketing & Events Manager and Project & Production Manager.
"We're excited about the launch of BRIC Foundation's apprenticeship program. Seattle and the region need more programs that offer hands-on skill development and career exploration, with clear, tangible steps toward high priority roles,” says Alicia Teel, Interim Director for Seattle Office of Economic Development. “Industry-led, aligned workforce programs are essential not only for sparking interest in diverse career possibilities, but also for empowering young people to discover what they are passionate about. This allows for exploration, learning, and taking steps towards economic stability."
“Registered apprenticeship is a proven strategy for expanding access to high-quality careers,” says Marie Kurose, CEO of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. “We’re excited to invest in BRIC Foundation’s apprenticeship model as it expands equitable access to training and paid work experience in Washington’s creative economy.”
According to Washington Commerce, Washington State’s Creative Economy Sector – encompassing Design, Media, Film, Performing Arts, Fashion, and Creative Technology – contributes more than 21% to Washington’s Gross Regional Product, making it one of the most significant economic drivers in the state. In collaboration with the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, the BRIC Apprenticeship addresses the critical need for formal workforce infrastructure in this high-demand sector and ensures clear alignment with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), underscoring employer-driven training, paid work-based learning, and equitable access to careers.
“Commerce is thrilled to celebrate BRIC’s new state‑registered apprenticeships and their commitment to building transparent, employer‑aligned pathways into creative careers statewide,” says Shannon Roach Halberstadt, Creative Economy Industry Sector Lead at Washington State Department of Commerce. “This program will connect aspiring creatives to training and portable credentials while helping employers statewide grow a diverse, homegrown workforce. It’s the kind of cross‑sector collaboration that moves Washington forward.”
“Washington State’s creative economy has experienced robust growth demonstrating resilience and expansion in creative fields, but existing workforce structures are struggling to keep up with the creative economy’s rapidly evolving nature,” says Nicole Hendrix, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the BRIC Foundation. “The BRIC Apprenticeship provides industry-led training and education that provides valuable access and equips entry-level workers for today’s dynamic creative economy landscape.”
Since launching the apprenticeship program in California in 2023, BRIC has successfully matched more than 34 apprentices with 13 employer partners to receive training across the entertainment industry, including Paramount, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Warner Bros Discover, Wasserman, and others. BRIC’s California apprenticeship model demonstrates how creative economy pathways can successfully leverage WIOA priorities when programs are employer-driven and labor-aligned. BRIC Foundation expanded their work to Washington in 2023 through support from Britebound™, with the goal of bringing linked Pre-Apprenticeship programs and workforce training to K-12 schools across the state.
BRIC is actively seeking employer partners to join the Washington program alongside 8GenC and EDOT Foundation. Employer partners benefit from BRIC’s custom program facilitation, reduced recruitment costs, enhanced retention and success rates, and access to government-provided incentives, including up to $1,500 in wage reimbursements per apprentice.
For more information about becoming an employer partner, visit https://www.bricfoundation.org/employer-partner. To learn more about the BRIC Apprenticeship Program, visit https://www.bricfoundation.org/apprenticeship.
About the BRIC Foundation
BRIC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit company dedicated to increasing representation in Entertainment, Gaming, Media and Tech. Founded in 2018 and led by Nicole Hendrix and Alison Mann, BRIC Foundation was created to change how entertainment companies approach and discuss hiring around diversity. By teaming up with Education, Government, Non-Profit, and Industry partners, BRIC is proud to be creating equitable pathways for future generations of diverse creators to tell their stories and make an impact on the world. To learn more about BRIC, visit https://bricfoundation.org or follow @bricfound on social media.