The WTIA Workforce Institute (501c3) set a new industry standard with the creation of a competency-based, Registered Apprenticeship Program to recruit, train, and place 600+ apprentices over the next 5 years. We were awarded more than $3.5 million in federal and private investments to deliver highly skilled, diverse workers to the high-demand tech sector..

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We just set a new industry standard with the creation of the first-of-its-kind, large scale program to recruit, train, and place more than 600 registered apprentices in Washington state over the next 5 years. Using federal and private investments from the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and JP Morgan Chase, the WTIA’s Registered Apprenticeship Program will deliver much needed, new talent to our high-demand tech sector.

“Washington is the first state to create a registered apprenticeship standard for the high-demand tech sector, which is a critical step towards bridging the current tech-talent gap we face, empowering us to build a stronger homegrown workforce representative of the diversity in our state,” said Michael Schutzler, CEO of the WTIA.

Our state is the top recruiter of tech talent in the country. Each year we add 3500 new jobs that require a Computer Science degree, but generates only 500 new graduates to fill them. At the same time, the industry is leaving untapped talent on the table. Less than twenty percent of the tech workforce is female, less than one percent are Hispanic or African American, and there are an even smaller number of veterans.

In response, we launched this industry backed program to build the best possible homegrown candidate pool by emphasizing diversity and assisting those under represented in the tech sector in successfully entering this high wage, rapid growth industry. To find new talent, we’ll turn to partnerships with programs at Joint Base Lewis McCord, Goodwill, and others to identify apprenticeship candidates.

“The employment needs of Washington’s tech sector are in alignment with existing skills possessed by a segment of our underserved population,” said Daryl Campbell, CEO & President of Seattle Goodwill. “Apprenticeships create inroads for those individuals to access sustainable wage jobs, achieve self-sufficiency, and grow their careers.”

Candidates must pass a tech skills assessment to determine their competency level matched to tech industry roles, including their ability to learn computer science fundamentals through a series of questions and equations. Once a candidate is accepted into the program, they’ll receive 3 to 4 months of pre-apprenticeship training in one of many industry recognized certificate programs such as Microsoft MCSE or CISCO, IT Security, and others.

“Our curriculum was developed to meet the needs of both the technology industry, which faces a shortage of trained professionals, and those who want to enter our field but are not presently in the pipeline,” said Microsoft’s Thomas Dawkins, Sr. Education Business Manager. “We’re thrilled to see our education resources, like the Microsoft Virtual Academy, be used by the WTIA in a new and exciting way that expands its reach.”

Participants who complete training will enter a one-year apprenticeship in a full-time, paid, entry-level position with one of our hiring partner tech companies, beginning with Accenture, F5, Impinj, Internet ID, Microsoft and the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners to name a few. Afterwards they’re eligible for a full-time position.

“This apprenticeship program delivers a new path towards inclusion through on-the-job training, while providing companies like F5 with a sustainable workforce development program to meet our ever-growing need for qualified talent,” said Karl Triebes, CTO and EVP of Product Development at F5 Networks.

To become a hiring partner or learn more about how you can support creation of this Apprenticeship program, please contact me at jcarlson@washingtontechnology.org.

Check out the press coverage:

Benjamin Romano, Xconomy, “Washington Tech Industry Plans Software Apprenticeship Program”

Ashley Stewart, Puget Sound Business Journal, “New Training Program Will Help Feed Talent-Starved Tech Companies”

Rachel Lerman, Seattle Times,“Tech Training Program Receives $3.5M in Federal Funding”

Jacob Demmitt, Geekwire, “State Tech Associations Launch $5M Apprenticeship Program, Look to Place 1,000 Workers at Microsoft, Others Tech Giants”