Traditionally, a freshly minted college degree in a STEM field used to be the basic requirement for pursuing a tech job in varying fields, starting from cloud to software development. However, times are changing fast. Today there are brand new non-linear career paths available for individuals who may not have a college degree in tech. Technology apprenticeships, especially when done with the help of popular tech talent development companies like Revature, are being recognized as alternative paths to launching a tech career. These apprenticeship programs allow individuals to gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a tech job, without having to deal with high college debt.
Revature briefly sheds light on the beneficial aspects of apprenticeships in the tech industry
Right from retail and delivery services to healthcare and technology, jobs in many fields are growing way faster than the talent pool can make up. The technology industry generated almost two million jobs between 2010 and 2018, being an important component of the economic engine. Today the tech sector accounts for more than ten percent of the GDP of the United States, and is expected to create thousands of jobs by the end of 2023. However, a lot of the jobs available in the tech field still go unfilled. Universities and colleges are not prepared enough to fill the labor gap. Moreover, a lot of tech roles today require soft and technical skills, as well as real-world experience, rather than four-year degrees. Such opportunities fall into the category of “new collar” jobs.
Companies like Revature offer training and apprenticeship opportunities that put emphasis on actively attracting and retaining candidates at the start of the “career funnel.” Such a proactive approach ties in with best practices. One can think of this system to be similar to medical residencies. The whole paid work-based learning and training with structured curricula drives skilled professionals towards a specific tech career. This path makes a lot of sense for anyone aspiring to make their career in the tech field. Apprenticeships provide them with a foothold at a tech company that has already invested in a structure in place to get them to the next step of their career, rather than a college degree that majorly leaves graduates on their own to find jobs. Apprenticeships additionally allow employers to play a more active role in shaping the tech talent they need for their company, while facilitating a culture of ongoing innovation and learning.
In addition to the skilled labor shortage, tech apprenticeships also help address another priority of modern CEOs, which is to improve diversity and inclusion. CEOs today know that broadening their search for talented and high-potential candidates is important for staying competitive. However, if employers solely depend on degrees as proxies for skills and talent, it might lead to economic and racial exclusion. A growing number of young, aspiring tech professionals do not have the financial means to go to college. This divide grew even more due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Several young adults were not able to attend to college as their families needed them during the pandemic or couldn’t afford college fees. The career challenges faced by these people can be solved, to an extent, with tech apprenticeship programs. It allows them to get trained in important tech skills, earn practical experience and pursue a successful career, without getting burdened by college debt.
