These corporate partnerships exemplify a collective
commitment to bridging the skills gap and fostering a more
inclusive and skilled workforce.
SEATTLE, Nov. 15,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of National
Apprenticeship Week (Nov 13 - 19),
Apprenti, a leader in nationally registered tech apprenticeships,
announces broad corporate support in addressing the workforce
skills gap via assistance and partnership from JPMorgan Chase, Dow,
Visa and Amazon. JPMorgan Chase has unveiled new and expanded
philanthropic commitments totaling $3.5
million, which includes a significant $1 million investment in Apprenti. Dow, on
the other hand, is introducing a groundbreaking apprentice program
in partnership with Apprenti. Amazon collaborates with Apprenti to
continually enhance talent through tech upskilling, ensuring a
diverse talent pool can thrive in highly competitive tech roles and
have just celebrated the 1,000 converted apprentice milestone and
Visa partnered with Apprenti as part of their Visa Payments
Learning Program designed to upskill employees, students, and
military talent. The initial focus of this program is centered
around payments cybersecurity, created in response to
the White House National Cybersecurity Strategy
Implementation Plan. Together, these initiatives exemplify the
dedication of these global leaders to empower individuals from
underserved backgrounds and foster diversity in the workforce.
The skills gap in the labor market is a pressing concern,
with 87 percent of companies reporting a
current mismatch between the skills they need and the skills
employees possess. This mismatch is estimated to cost the
global economy nearly $8.5
trillion in unrealized annual revenues. Apprenticeships
have proven to be a successful approach to helping low- and
moderate-income individuals access well-paying employment
opportunities while equipping them with the necessary skills,
experience, and credentials and these four companies are helping
bridge the opportunity gap and foster a more inclusive and skilled
workforce.
JPMorgan Chase's $1 million
investment in Apprenti will aid in scaling their registered
technology apprenticeship program, providing more opportunities for
individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to launch careers in
highly coveted and high-paying technology roles. This generous
support will also facilitate the expansion of Apprenti into new
markets, including the emerging tech hubs of Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta. Tech employment in Houston grew 3.5 percent in 2022 versus 2021,
compared with the national growth rate of 3.2 percent, whereas
Dallas witnessed a 28.1% spike in
tech jobs from 2017 to 2022 and Atlanta is continuing its tech hiring
momentum.
Apprenti and Dow's collaborative apprentice program is designed
to be an innovative pathway for diverse talent to enter the
organization, especially those who might not have had the
opportunity to join the tech industry through traditional
recruitment practices. The program encompasses various Information
Systems roles, ensuring that apprentices acquire skills in high
demand in the industry, including UX Designer, Software Analyst,
Web Developer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Cloud Operations Specialist,
and IT Business Analyst. After Apprenti's intensive virtual
training program with apprentices dedicating 40 hours per week to
their education, and working towards earning industry-relevant
certificates and certifications, preparing them for real-world
challenges, Dow provides 12 months of on-the-job training and
support as part of its apprentice program. This hands-on experience
enables apprentices to apply their newly acquired skills within
Dow's dynamic IT environment.
As a recognized US Apprenticeship provider, Amazon
collaborates with Apprenti, to continually evaluate and enhance the
skills taught, ensuring a diverse talent pool can thrive in highly
competitive tech roles. Amazon revealed the successful
conversion of its 1000th apprentice from Apprenti, into a full-time
role within the company. Amazon's participation in this initiative
underscores its dedication to providing quality career
opportunities and fostering inclusivity in the workforce. Since the
launch of its apprenticeship programs, Amazon has seen over 3,500
employees engage in paid apprenticeships, with hundreds currently
enrolled. These programs, including the Amazon Technical
Apprenticeship Program (ATAP), the Mechatronics and Robotics
Apprenticeship (MRA), and the User Design and Experience (UDXR)
Apprenticeship, equip participants with the skills necessary for
technical and non-technical roles through rotational training,
on-the-job learning, and professional development. Amazon's
commitment to upskilling is further demonstrated through its
Upskilling 2025 pledge, offering employees pathways to grow their
careers and advance in their roles.
Visa partnered with Apprenti to stand up their first U.S.
Apprenticeship Program: Through this program, an initial cohort
received 16 weeks of specialist training, followed by a one-year
apprenticeship, and will take part in the Visa's Payments
Cybersecurity Introductory Course. This apprenticeship provides
diverse talent on-the-job training to build technical and business
skills needed to succeed as cyber professionals. "Our partnership
with Visa is instrumental in showcasing the effectiveness of
apprenticeships in nurturing talent. Visa's dedication goes beyond
just partnering with Apprenti; it involves the cultivation of
individuals from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds into
formidable tech professionals. This equitable avenue for pursuing a
tech career in the United States
is commendable, and we wholeheartedly value Visa's commitment to
talent development. We eagerly anticipate sharing the outcomes of
this effort, which can serve as a valuable model for other
companies to emulate" said Executive Director, Co-founder of
Apprenti Jennifer Carlson.
This year's National Apprenticeship Week theme, "Registered
Apprenticeship: Superhighway to Good Jobs," underscores the growing
prominence of Registered Apprenticeship as a tried-and-true,
industry-driven training model. This model not only expedites the
journey to securing high-quality jobs but also plays a pivotal role
in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA)
within the workplace. This theme perfectly aligns with the core
mission, programs, and recent achievement of Apprenti, which has
been awarded the prestigious Good Jobs Challenge Grant. This grant
will further empower Apprenti to expand its network of employer
partners, including industry giants like JPMorgan Chase, Dow's,
Amazon, and Visa, in addressing the critical skills gap in the
workforce. By doing so, Apprenti is committed to ensuring that
individuals from diverse backgrounds have enhanced access to
rewarding careers, actively contributing to the overall success of
the global economy.
Jennifer Carlson, Co-Founder
& Executive Director, Apprenti, expressed gratitude, stating,
"We extend our sincere thanks to the four companies for their
partnership, support, and innovative approach in addressing the
workforce skills gap." Carlson added, " Investing in diverse talent
is key to driving innovation and success in the technology
sector."
Businesses interested in starting a registered technology
apprenticeship program and Individuals interested in pursuing an
Apprenti apprenticeship should contact Apprenti at
https://apprenticareers.org/contact/
About Apprenti:
Apprenti is a registered apprenticeship program powered by the
Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA). It offers a
proven, reliable way for underrepresented groups in the tech
industry to start new careers through paid, on-the-job training.
Apprenti is an industry-driven, state- and federally-recognized
apprenticeship program focused on information technology positions
such as software developers, network security professionals, and
system administrators.
About JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM):
It is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America, with operations
worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $3.9
trillion in assets and $313
billion in stockholders' equity as of June 30, 2023. The Firm is a leader in investment
banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses,
commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset
management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves
millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world's most
prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally.
Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at
www.jpmorganchase.com.
About Dow:
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth,
asset integration, and scale, focused on creating a more
sustainable, innovation-driven, and customer-centric materials
science company. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial
intermediates, coatings, and silicones businesses deliver a broad
range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for
its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging,
infrastructure, mobility, and consumer care. Dow operates 106
manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately
35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $39 billion in 2020. References to Dow or the
Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information,
please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on
Twitter.
About Amazon:
Amazon is guided by four principles:
customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for
invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term
thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric
Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work.
Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations,
Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing,
Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa,
Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge
are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information,
visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
About Visa:
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in
digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers,
merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across
more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect
the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and
secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and
economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include
everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as
foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at
Visa.com.
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SOURCE Apprenti