An apprenticeship is a professional training program that gives job seekers a chance to gain practical experience and skills through a combination of hands-on work and formal instruction. Apprentices have the opportunity to work alongside and learn from seasoned professionals while preparing to move into a career in their chosen field. In contrast to an internship, apprenticeships tend to be longer, involve an educational component and are usually paid. This training model can help fill workforce gaps and expand access to education and career-specific training. The following companies with apprenticeship programs work to equip the next generation of professionals to perform jobs in demanding career fields.
Companies That Offer Apprenticeships
- McDonald’s
- Boeing
- Accenture
- Fetch
5 Companies With Apprenticeship Programs
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Burgers and fries made McDonald’s a household name, but the fast food company has also been working hard to thrive in the technology sector. To build up its cybersecurity workforce, McDonald’s created an apprenticeship program designed to provide professional training for students pursuing an associate’s degree in cybersecurity from the City Colleges of Chicago. Apprentices work with McDonald’s employees on cybersecurity projects while also attending classes, according to a McDonald’s Global Technology blog post. Throughout the year-long program, apprentices receive a salary and tuition assistance. After the program, they have the opportunity to transition into an entry-level position on the McDonald’s tech team.
Headquarters: Mountain View, California
Google’s apprenticeship program covers a range of career areas, including sales and marketing, software engineering, data analytics and project management. In the United States, this work-and-study opportunity begins with several weeks of virtual onboarding and a boot camp before participants begin their on-the-job training. Applicants who are accepted into an apprenticeship are paid hourly and receive a U.S. Department of Labor-certified credential at the program’s end.
Headquarters: Arlington, Virginia
Aerospace company Boeing manufactures aircrafts and other related hardware for commercial, defense and space exploration applications. Its apprenticeship program is a year-long training track that helps participants foster the foundational skills and experience needed for a career in aerospace. Upon completion, apprentices receive credentials from both Boeing and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Accenture provides a range of strategic consulting services that help businesses across the globe integrate technology and optimize their operations. The company launched an internal apprenticeship program in 2016 that has since provided training to more than 2,000 apprentices in over three dozen cities. An Accenture apprenticeship is a salaried position that doesn’t require applicants to have a four-year degree. It lasts for one year and provides apprentices with mentorship and coaching in addition to giving them a chance to gain experience through tasks like assessing business models and designing solutions to clients’ challenges.
Headquarters: Madison, Wisconsin
Offering a mobile app that lets users earn rewards for shopping, Fetch works with brands to help them engage with and build loyalty among their customers. The company has multiple apprenticeship positions that are typically structured to end in an opportunity for a permanent full-time position. These apprenticeships give recent graduates an opportunity to put their coding knowledge and other technical abilities to work solving problems and building solutions.
Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan
General Motors has a comprehensive apprenticeship program for manufacturing or engineering. Apprentices in manufacturing would have opportunities like learning to utilize and maintain technical equipment. Those in engineering could learn to design, build and problem solve for innovative products and concepts. All apprentices at GM complete technical classroom training outlined by their Local Joint Apprentice Committee and approximately 7920 hours of on the job training with their assigned Journeyperson.
