About RPAC
Building Pathways. Building Equity. Building the Future.
The Regional Pre-Apprenticeship Collaboration (RPAC) is more than a network — it’s a movement. Since 2016, RPAC has united contractors, educators, community leaders, and public agencies across Puget Sound with a shared mission: to create clear, sustainable pathways into high-paying construction careers for women, Black Americans, Indigenous people, and other underrepresented community members.
We believe the construction industry should reflect the diversity of our communities. By breaking down barriers, raising training standards, and investing in people, we’re building an industry where opportunity is not the exception, but the expectation.
Who We Are
RPAC brings together a broad coalition of stakeholders — from apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs to contractors, unions, nonprofits, educators, and policy makers. Together, we are building a coordinated, region-wide system designed to prepare local residents for meaningful careers in construction.
What We Stand For
Equity: Ensuring women and people of color have access to and support within the trades.
Excellence: Promoting rigorous training and industry standards that prepare workers to succeed.
Retention: Providing the mentorship, support, and resources that help workers stay and thrive.
Collaboration: Uniting stakeholders across the region to make systemic change possible.
Our Impact
Since our founding, RPAC has become the go-to gathering place for construction training stakeholders across Puget Sound. We provide:
A platform for employers to strengthen their workforce and meet DEI goals.
A resource for pre-apprenticeship providers to connect participants with living-wage career pathways.
A bridge for community members and educators to connect with apprenticeship opportunities.
A forum for public agencies to align policy with equity, inclusion, and sustainable job sites.
Together, we’re not just building careers — we’re building a stronger, more inclusive future for the construction industry and the communities it serves.
What We Do
Our four priorities of outreach, retention, training standards and policy work to provide under-represented job seekers the skills necessary to succeed in the industry and employers the tools to promote healthy and sustainable workplaces.
Outreach
We build relationships with industry employers to promote the values of diversity and equity in the workforce and work to engage community organizations working with women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to promote greater access and awareness for construction industry careers.
Policy
The policy committee shapes policy changes benefiting Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, and underserved community members in the Puget Sound region by advocating across the region and the state for policies that advance inclusivity within construction training programs.
Training
The training standards committee works with training programs and employers to develop tailored curriculum that promotes equitable access to industry-standard training and a strong foundation for a successful career in the construction sector.
Retention
By working with employers and community resources, the retention committee identifies support programs and mentorship networks to provide apprentices with the resources necessary for sustainable employment within the construction workforce.
Who we serve
The RPAC is a gathering place for all construction training stakeholders around Puget Sound, from employers looking to develop a skilled workforce, meet DEI goals, and implement a company culture sustainable for all community members to pre-apprenticeship providers seeking to stay on the leading edge of training standards and propel their participants into living-wage careers.
We also welcome community members and educational institutions to connect with training programs and apprenticeship opportunities for their clients and public agencies to create inclusive and productive worksites across the region.
One Collaboration, Infinite Possibilities for:
Job Seekers
The RPAC supports job seekers by improving training curriculum and expanding access within construction training programs to improve job seeker prospects and outcomes within construction careers.
We are lowering barriers to participate and highlighting programs with support services such as free plus support for supplies and wraparound services. We are connecting participants with community resources while in the training program including those that provide housing and materials support.
Connect industry leaders and experts to expand programs and supports for priority hire populations.
Employers
RPAC benefits employers through the expansion of a well-trained applicant pool of primarily women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, which helps meet corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals. Additionally, pre-apprentices enter the workforce with the skills and resources to be successful and employers gain the tools necessary to promote the retention of a skilled and diverse workforce.
RPAC members also provide input for training standards and programs to be able to hire a skilled workforce that meets the technical and human needs of a growing workforce, which helps meet community and DEI requirements.
Pre-apprenticeship programs
RPAC provides resources to help students, develop training guidance and standards, as well as support and networking for job placements.
Pre-apprenticeship programs are able to connect with community groups and employers to gain access to program participants and job pipelines for graduates. The collaborative nature of the RPAC also ensures all key stakeholders can provide input on the curriculum elements that best support long-term success in the construction industry.
Meet RPAC
Our collaborative consists of pre-apprenticeship programs, employers, community organizations, educational institutions, and public agencies: all with a vested interest in the long-term growth of a strong construction industry representative of our larger communities.
Board of Directors
The board of directors leads the RPAC and establishes the direction for achieving the organization’s mission and vision.
Members
RPAC members collaborate to improve access to construction careers for our priority populations.
Contact us
Thank you for connecting with the RPAC. Please share your connection or interest in the construction industry and we will reach out to see how we can support. In the meantime, please review the resources for pre-apprentices on our Start in Construction page or join our meeting at 8 a.m. on the last Friday of the month at Tabor 100 in Tukwila, located at 7100 Fort Dent Way # 100, Tukwila, WA 98188.