If you are a college graduate, bootcamp graduate, or self-taught application developer looking for a breakthrough in the industry, an apprenticeship might be the answer. Finding an apprenticeship is a way to gain hands-on experience with mobile applications, work with real clients, build a portfolio, and guide you towards your future career goals.
A technical program provides students with on-the-job training. These programs let apprentices expand their knowledge and skills while also getting paid. In this article, you will learn about app development apprenticeships, types of app development, and available app development apprenticeships at the time of writing to launch your new career path.
What Is an App Development Apprenticeship?
An app development apprenticeship is a program that includes on-the-job training where industry professionals teach app development skills and provide real-world experience. During the program, apprentices will work with the company’s team, get experience with clients and projects, and earn an income while still learning fundamental skills.
What Does an App Development Apprentice Do?
An app development apprentice will perform the duties of an app developer by developing applications for operating systems, including iOS, Android, and Windows. As an app developer apprentice, you will work with the company’s senior app developers, software engineers, and developers to create, build, test, and maintain applications for clients.
You will work with clients to understand their app specifications, work with the team to create prototypes according to those specifications, write code to make the application, test the application before launch, and troubleshoot and debug the application. You will also gain more knowledge and skills while doing all of these to ensure that the app is satisfactory.
App Development Apprenticeship Salary
According to ZipRecruiter, app development apprentices earn an average salary of $85,306, with the minimum salary being $22,000 and the highest being around $154,000. Of course, these figures may change depending on your location and experience. Note that app development apprentices are listed under software development apprentices on ZipRecruiter.
App Development Apprenticeship Requirements
Each company apprenticeship will have its unique requirements. However, most programs require at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field, bootcamp training, or one to two years of experience in app development. They also request applicants to have basic knowledge and skills in programming languages and app development tools.
Some of those skills include Swift, Java, JavaScript, Python, Git, UIKit, and Xcode. Applicants should also have experience with user interface, data storage and notifications, material designs, analytical thinking skills, and product management skills.
Types of App Development Apprenticeships
As an app development apprentice, there are several positions you can apply for in the field. The development field has a wide range of specialties that you can explore to launch your new career path in technology. Below is a list of some app development apprenticeships available at the time of writing.
Mobile App Developer
Mobile app developers work to create, design, and maintain codes used to build applications for mobile devices. They work with clients to ensure that they provide the application to meet the requirements and specifications of clients. The applications have to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing to the users.
Web App Developer
A web app developer is a professional who designs and builds applications for web or network applications. Web app developers are also known as full stack developers and typically work in teams on projects that require more than one developer. These professionals can work in a wide range of industries that aren’t limited to tech.
Android Developer
An Android developer apprentice will write code for applications that work on Android operating systems. They also test, monitor, and maintain the application to ensure that it’s functioning correctly. They will also work to detect and rectify bugs in the application and continuously enhance its performance.
iOS Developer
If you become an iOS developer apprentice, you will design and build applications that are compatible with Apple’s iOS operating software. You’ll work to design, code, test, implement, maintain, and enhance the applications and ensure that they work to the user’s satisfaction and solve their problems.
App Development Apprenticeship Jobs
An app development apprenticeship can be remote, in-person, full-time, or part-time, and it may lead to a permanent position. Most of these apprenticeship programs are paid and may require a college degree, years of experience, or just a passion for technology. Below are a few available app development apprenticeship jobs available at the time of this writing.
Apprenti Apprenticeship Program
Apprenti is an apprenticeship center that works with employers who need tech experts in their company. However, the employer companies are not limited to tech companies only. The apprenticeship program consists of two phases: the RTI, the required technical instruction, and the OJT, on-the-job training.
Successful candidates will first go through the RTI phase, which is remote training that prepares them for the OJT phase. During the RTI phase, apprentices will get weeks of training in web fundamentals, JavaScript, and additional training in Python, C#, or Java software development.
After the RTI phase, they participate in OJT, which mainly involves coding, maintaining, testing, and updating software products under the supervision of experienced professionals. The amount of work done in this phase is dependent on the assigned supervisor, and the tasks will increase as the apprentice becomes more proficient in the field.
Walmart Apprenticeship Program
Walmart is a multinational retail company that runs hypermarkets, retail stores, and grocery stores. The software engineering apprenticeship program is ideal for those with a college degree in computer science, two years of experience in software engineering, or a certification in software engineering or a related field like CompTIA.
During the program, apprentices will work as software engineers to test programs, perform defect management and troubleshooting, and support other professionals. By the end of the program, they have the knowledge and skills required to work as experts in the field.
Woz U Apprenticeship Program
Woz U was founded by Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple, to provide technical education for independent students and organizations to train and improve the skills of their employees. This apprentice program is available for multiple tech roles and is open to those who want to start a career in tech or advance in their career.
Qualified applicants will go through in-depth training in the field to prepare for the role. They will work on real-life projects with real clients during the training to gain experience and build a portfolio. At the end of the training, apprentices will interview for a permanent role with the company.
Rapptr Labs Apprenticeship Program
Rapptr is an app development company that works with Fortune 500 companies, leading retailers, and funded startups to create digital products. The Android engineer apprenticeship program is a full-time position available to those with zero to two years of experience in Kotlin, Java, Github, and other Android tools.
This paid role also comes with additional benefits for apprentices. Accepted candidates will work with the company’s Android engineers, application development team, and other professionals to design and build high-quality code. If you want to become an Android developer, this apprenticeship is ideal for you.
LaunchCode Apprenticeship Program
LaunchCode is a nonprofit organization that helps people with the skills to start careers in the tech industry. This apprenticeship program is available to those with software development skills that want to advance their career in tech. The company’s partners even hire accepted applicants in fitting roles after graduation.
Program participants will have to go through an application process to test their programming skills and prove their professional experience. People of non-traditional backgrounds are welcome to apply, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Ascending Apprenticeship Program
Ascending LLC is a training center that provides cloud strategic consulting services, cloud migration, cloud operation, and web or application development services to organizations. This software engineer apprenticeship program is for those who have hands-on experience in coding or cloud computing.
It is an unpaid role that comes with monthly compensations if apprentices exceed expectations. There is also the opportunity to secure a full-time position with the company depending on the apprentice’s performance. Candidates will gain knowledge and technical skills in software development, work on industry-level projects, and even get free lunch on weekdays.
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Required qualifications for this role include a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field and at least a year of experience in the IT industry. Applicants should also have skills in a programming language like Python, Java, or JavaScript and knowledge of application architecture and design patterns.
How to Get an App Development Apprenticeship
You can get an app development apprenticeship in different ways. For example, you can apply on your own, join a bootcamp, start with an internship program, attend a trade school, or undergo vocational training. We’ve compiled some of the different methods to get apprenticeship training.
Bootcamps
Mobile development coding bootcamps offer many services to ensure that their students secure high-profile jobs and have fulfilling careers in tech. One of the ways they accomplish this is by allowing their students to meet with partner companies and land jobs soon after graduation to land internships, apprenticeships, and permanent company positions.
Some coding bootcamps host events where students impress potential employers and hiring managers by showcasing their portfolios. Through this, as a bootcamp grad, you can get an apprenticeship in one of the companies or even land a full-time permanent role. Other bootcamps prepare their students to apply for these roles by offering career services.
Internships
Internships are part of some university and bootcamp curriculums, and students have to complete one before graduation. You can also apply for an internship on your own during or after your education. Students who intern for companies can check that company’s available apprenticeship positions and apply for them.
As an intern with experience working in the field, you have a higher chance of getting a job or landing an apprenticeship. You can also use the knowledge and professional skills gained as an intern to apply for apprenticeship programs in other companies.
Trade Schools
Trade schools are known to partner with companies to help their students practice the skills they’ve learned during the program. As a graduate of a trade school, you can also apply for apprenticeship programs on your own with the certificate earned from the school. In addition, some companies often request applicants with the technical training that trade schools offer.
Vocational Training
Vocational training programs will help you develop the necessary skills to perform a task or job in a specific field. In a vocational school, you will learn app development skills that companies will need in a professional. You can use this to your advantage by applying for apprenticeship programs, as you will have a chance of securing the job with your learned skills.
Is an App Development Apprenticeship Worth It?
Yes, an application developer apprenticeship program is worth it. With an apprenticeship program, you will expand your knowledge and skills while gaining on-the-job training, working with clients, and building your portfolio. You may also earn money while acting as an apprentice, which is an even better way of making a living while growing in your career.
At the end of an apprenticeship, if you exceed expectations or meet specific requirements, you may get a full-time, permanent role with the company. Otherwise, you will have real-life experience, a portfolio, and the digital skills to apply for and get better jobs in the industry. An apprenticeship program is one of the best ways to jumpstart your career.
App Development Apprenticeship FAQ
The qualifications needed to be an app developer include either a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related fields or coding bootcamp training. You may also learn on your own by enrolling in online classes or applying for apprenticeships that do not require any skill or experience.
The average annual salary of a Google apprentice is around $38,035 to $41,085, according to Glassdoor. However, depending on their skills and experience level, they may have a higher starting salary or potential raise opportunities later on in their career.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook of app developers is 22 percent, which is considered higher than average. Note that app developers are listed under the umbrella of software developers on BLS. This increased job outlook indicates an excellent career, making it a great time to jump into the field of app development.
You can become an app developer without experience by applying for apprenticeships that do not require any experience. You can also join a coding bootcamp or apply for an internship program to get a jump start in your career path.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
