10 Companies Offering Tech and Coding Apprenticeships
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In today’s fast-paced world, the demand for skilled tech professionals is growing quickly. To bridge this gap, many companies offer tech and coding apprenticeships.
These programs provide hands-on experience and formal training for aspiring software engineers, coders, and anyone interested in working in tech. You’ll not only gain valuable skills and mentorship opportunities but also the opportunity for full-time employment.
Whether you’re a self-taught coder, a recent graduate, or hoping to switch careers, these popular tech apprenticeships can put you on the path to a successful career in STEM.
What Is a Tech Apprenticeship?
Tech and coding apprenticeships blend practical job training with formal technical education. These programs give you the chance to immerse yourself in tangible projects and hone new skills and competencies that make you more attractive to potential employers.
Tech apprenticeships span a wide variety of specializations, including:
- Software engineering
- Computer science
- Web and app development
- Cybersecurity
- Data science
- Information technology
- Machine learning
Unlike typical internships, most tech and coding apprenticeships offer compensation as well as providing practical training and professional guidance.
Where to Find Tech and Coding Apprenticeships
Here are 10 companies leading the way in offering tech and coding apprenticeships for aspiring tech workers.
1. 8th Light
- Program Length: 5-7 months
- Deadline: Rolling
A pillar of the Chicago-based software company since 2006, the 8th Light Apprenticeship Program welcomes software students of all skill levels, be it self-taught coders, junior developers, or career switchers.
The program emphasizes curiosity and creativity over qualifications. You’ll complete self-study and team projects and work with real clients to gain a holistic understanding of software development. You’ll also get access to a team of mentors.
2. Accenture
- Program Length: 12 months
- Deadline: Rolling
Established in 2016, the Accenture Apprenticeship Program is a full-time program offering practical training, mentorship, and structured learning in fields such as cybersecurity, data engineering, IT, and cloud engineering. The program values curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.
In addition to offering a competitive full-time salary, Accenture’s apprenticeship culminates with the potential for an entry-level job at the company. Accenture aims to have its apprentices make up 20% of its entry-level hires each year.
3. Airbnb
- Program Length: 6 months
- Deadline: Applications open February 2025
Airbnb’s Connect Engineering Apprenticeship targets students from nontraditional tech backgrounds and underrepresented groups, including bootcamp graduates, associate degree-holders, and self-taught coders. Those with a bachelor’s in computer science are not eligible to apply.
This software engineering apprenticeship entails training with Airbnb’s preferred tools and tech, hands-on coding assignments, and mentorship from established Airbnb engineers. The program’s goal is to provide an entry point to a tech career at Airbnb.
4. Amazon
- Program Length: Varies
- Deadline: Rolling
Amazon offers many tech apprenticeships, several just for Amazon employees. These include:
- Technical Apprenticeship: Prepares U.S.military veterans and their spouses for careers in cloud computing.
- Amazon Technical Academy: Free nine-month program for current Amazon employees interested in transitioning into software developer roles.
- Robotics Management Apprenticeship: Employee-only 12-week program focused on learning how to maintain and fix Amazon warehouse machinery.
- AWS Grow Our Talent Program: Employee-only program for those with nontraditional backgrounds and who want to work as data center or operations technicians.
- UX Design and Research Apprenticeship: Trains Amazon employees to become UX designers and researchers for teams such as Alexa, Prime Video, and Amazon Web Services.
5. Google
- Program Length: 18 months
- Deadline: Varies
Google’s tech apprenticeships seek to equip aspiring tech workers with real-world experience and industry-relevant skills.
The global company offers three U.S.-based tech apprenticeships:
- Data Analytics Apprenticeship: For anyone wanting to start a career in data analytics. You’ll develop basic data analytics skills in areas like SQL, spreadsheets, and Tableau. You’ll also participate in career development workshops.
- Information Technology Apprenticeship: For anyone looking to break into the IT field. This program offers instruction and on-the-job training and culminates in a nationally recognized credential.
- UX Design Apprenticeship: For anyone interested in working in UX design. You’ll study the basics of UX research, test designs, identify pain points, and brainstorm solutions.
6. IBM
- Program Length: Varies
- Deadline: Rolling
The IBM Apprenticeship is a full-time, paid program designed for people without a bachelor’s degree but who possess relevant technical knowledge. The apprenticeship offers hands-on technical training in fields like cybersecurity, system administration, digital design, and engineering.
Many apprentices land a full-time role at IBM upon completion.
7. LinkedIn
- Program Length: 1-5 years
- Deadline: Rolling
LinkedIn’s technical apprenticeship, known as REACH, is designed to bring people from non-technical backgrounds into technical roles at LinkedIn.
In this program, which hires 10-35 apprentices at a time, you’ll work as a full-time employee with benefits and get support from a dedicated mentor. You can specialize in artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning, software engineering, or cybersecurity.
8. Microsoft
- Program Length: 16 weeks
- Deadline: Rolling
Microsoft Leap is an immersive 16-week tech apprenticeship designed for people with a basic foundational understanding of tech concepts. The program combines in-classroom learning with hands-on engineering projects, allowing you to work on real teams and real products at Microsoft.
The apprenticeship aims to bring diverse experiences into the tech industry. You can study cloud computing, design, data science, engineering, or program management.
9. Pinterest
- Program Length: Up to 12 months
- Deadline: Rolling
The Pinterest Apprenticeship Program is designed for people from nontraditional backgrounds who face barriers to entering the tech industry. The program offers first-hand experience in fields like engineering, product management, product design, and product research at Pinterest. You’ll also get to work on high-impact projects with real Pinterest employees and mentors.
As a Pinterest apprentice, you’ll benefit from one-to-one mentorship and the opportunity to participate in professional development events.
10. Snap Inc.
- Program Length: 9-12 months
- Deadline: Rolling
Snap Inc., the creator of Snapchat, launched the Snap Up Program in 2019. This full-time software engineering apprenticeship targets recent college graduates with limited work and internship experience.
In this program, you’ll spend 3-4 months at a time on three of the company’s tech teams: core engineering, camera platform, and generative machine learning platform. The goal is to provide you with relevant experience so you can quickly level up your software engineering skills.
How Much Money Do Tech and Coding Apprentices Earn?
Wages for tech and coding apprentices can vary significantly depending on the industry, company, and program length. According to Payscale, engineering apprentices earn an average annual base salary of $84,220 as of August 2024.
Here’s an overview of how much money apprentices can earn (on an annual basis) at various companies.
Note: The following salaries are based on limited user data from Glassdoor. For apprenticeships lasting less than a year, salaries have been extrapolated to indicate how much you could expect to earn at that rate if the program were to last one or more years.
Company | Role | Program Length | Median Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|
8th Light | All apprentices | 5-7 months | $60,000 (June 2024) |
Accenture | All apprentices | 12 months | $64,000 (August 2024) |
Amazon | All apprentices | Varies | $65,000 (June 2024) |
IT apprentices | 18 months | $80,000 (June 2024) | |
IBM | All apprentices | Varies | $77,000 (June 2024) |
Engineering apprentices | 1-5 years | $200,000 (June 2024) | |
Microsoft | All apprentices | Varies | $96,000 (June 2024) |
Engineering apprentices | Up to 12 months | $193,000 (June 2024) |
Are Tech and Coding Apprenticeships Worth It?
Tech and coding apprenticeships can be worthwhile if you know what you want to study and have a clear path in mind for your career.
Here’s a look at some of the main pros and cons of apprenticeships.
Pros of Tech Apprenticeships
- You’ll gain real-world experience in a structured and supportive environment.
- Apprenticeships typically cost less than college degrees — in fact, they usually pay you!
- Many tech and coding apprenticeships help you make industry connections through mentorship and networking events.
- Lots of companies guarantee full-time jobs for graduates of their tech apprenticeships.
- Many apprenticeships award a nationally recognized credential upon completion, which can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
Cons of Tech Apprenticeships
- As newbies, apprentices might earn lower wages compared to full-time entry-level employees.
- Apprenticeships concentrate on honing specific skills, restricting your exposure to a wider variety of subjects.
- Although a degree isn’t always necessary to work in tech, some employers still prefer candidates with a relevant bachelor’s.
- Apprenticeships demand a commitment to both the training and your chosen career, which can be challenging if you want more flexibility or better work-life balance.
Take time to determine whether a tech apprenticeship is the best choice for you and your goals.
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