Tech companies often hire veterans straight out of the military. Apprenticeships in various fields in tech are designed to aid veterans in their reintegration into civilian life. With strong tech skills, veterans can increase their employability and become talented tech professionals.
From the Department of Veterans Affairs to private companies, programs for veterans are available everywhere. If you’ve ever dreamed about getting a job at Amazon or one of the tech giants, we’ll show you tech-focused veteran apprenticeships that can set you up for success. Once you know what you’re interested in, it’ll be easy to settle on the right choice.
What Is an Apprenticeship for Veterans?
A veterans apprenticeship is a program for military veterans who want to go back to learning and receive further training on a subject of interest. The government provides education benefits to veterans through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. GI Bill benefits include access to paid training programs, funding for books and supplies, and more.
The GI Bill also gives veterans an allowance that they can use to learn a trade in a registered apprenticeship program. This monthly stipend is tax-free and can be used for classroom and job training. Even if you are already making money as an apprentice, you are still entitled to receive the allowance.
What Does a Veteran Apprentice Do?
Veterans have access to over 1,000 apprenticeship opportunities through the US Department of Labor. The earn-and-learn model of training requires that you are working full-time to effectively build up your skill in your chosen field.
Technical skill is often a focus of veterans apprenticeships. Some of the acceptable occupations for which veterans can apprentice include electrician, law enforcement agent, fire medic, truck driver, and seaman. Veterans can also break into tech through coding bootcamp programs and tech industry apprenticeships.
Veterans Apprenticeship Salary
The GI Bill provides a monthly housing allowance of $1,833 to $2,700 based on the location of the veteran. An $83 allowance is also provided to cover books necessary for a veteran’s apprenticeship education. You cannot benefit from the GI Bill if you are currently on active duty.
As for the apprenticeship salary outside of the benefits, this will depend on the company where you will be working. The compensation varies by type of work, as each apprenticeship requires specific skills and experience. To give you an idea, a software engineer apprentice earns an average salary of $83,408, according to ZipRecruiter.
Veterans Apprenticeship Requirements
To qualify for the GI Bill benefits, you must be working in an industry approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. You must also be done with your service before you can enjoy the education benefits for veterans. Their spouses and children can also avail themselves of the program, but this may need to be specially approved.
Now, if you are aiming for a tech-focused apprenticeship, then it will be best to have a background in programming. Once you have the basic knowledge, then you can go into software development, data science, or web development.
An apprenticeship is a combination of learning and work. You need to be able to commit to several hours of study each week on top of your regular work schedule. Within the classroom, you learn new tech skills needed for your job. A full-time commitment is a given for any apprenticeship program.
Types of Tech Apprenticeships for Veterans
In the tech field, veterans can explore different types of apprenticeships based on their interests. If you are more interested in programming and building applications, then you can check out software engineering. You can also go into data science if you want to work with big data and database management or web development if you want to design websites.
Software Engineering
In a software engineering apprenticeship, you will work closely with software engineers and software developers to build useful applications. Having software development knowledge helps you provide solutions for issues with software products. Your programming skills are an important factor in qualifying for this program.
Data Science
If you are interested in database management, then a data science apprenticeship may appeal to you. You will work to secure data and prevent the theft of sensitive information, especially for confidential transactions. You need to be comfortable with coding in SQL because it is a popular programming language in the field of data science.
Web Development
Web development is a great field for using coding skills. Developing web applications involves HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The goal is to optimize websites to be user-friendly and fast. You also may be able to learn user experience (UX) design during your apprenticeship.
Veterans Apprenticeship Jobs
Institutions directly offer apprenticeships for veterans. You can either search for the accredited apprenticeships on the Veterans Affairs website or try to get approval for a job that you choose. Popular tech companies like Amazon, IBM, and Accenture offer veterans apprenticeships. The best tech apprenticeships for veterans are listed below.
Amazon Apprenticeship Program
Amazon is one of the largest and most well-known companies in the entire world. It is a respected tech company that provides solutions in logistics, cloud computing, and information technology (IT). Among its many tech career programs is an initiative to help the members of the military community.
Through Amazon’s technical apprenticeship program, veterans gain tech skills through a course and on-the-job training. Once you finish the course, you are qualified to take up a career in Amazon. This is a company that pioneers some of the best technological advancements in the world and you can be trained even without a prior IT background.
Some of the apprenticeship opportunities are in cloud computing, data science, software development, and even tech sales. The training usually takes 10 to 18 weeks depending on your chosen curriculum. This is a program that also encourages military spouses to apply.
Accenture Apprenticeship Program
Accenture is a multinational company that provides technological solutions to its clients. With growing innovations in technology, Accenture invests in tech talent that can contribute to its goals and innovations. As part of its mission to help the US economy, the Accenture apprenticeship program primarily targets groups that are underrepresented in tech.
The company currently has more than 1,000 apprenticeships available, most of which are in the field of technology. You have the chance to work in web development, data science, and software development. The goal is to close the gap of tech skills in the US, so the program is open to anyone who wants to be trained for a professional tech job.
Through this program, you can develop your skills in JavaScript and other relevant web development tools. You also have the chance to secure a full-time job at Accenture or other companies with your credentials.
IBM Apprenticeship Program
IBM is a multinational corporation and a pioneer in technology innovation around the world. It is a well-known maker of computer parts, and its tech training prowess is undisputed. As part of its initiative to bring tech to everyone, IBM offers the Veteran Employment Initiative.
The IBM Veteran Employment Initiative aims to help veterans get training in data analytics. Software training and certification are provided and job placement is readily available for qualified veterans. You will be trained by the data analytics experts from IBM’s Cloud and Analytics Software team.
What IBM offers is a train-to-hire program so anyone who will be accepted to the program is adequately prepared for a professional tech career. With IBM, you have the opportunity to learn not just fundamental tech skills but also advanced topics in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing.
Franklin Apprenticeship Program
Franklin’s Network Engineer Apprenticeship covers more advanced tech topics. With its mission to change the American workforce, Franklin offers various apprenticeships that build IT skills. Some of these opportunities are offered in coordination with IBM.
The network engineering apprenticeship is an opportunity to gain certification from Microsoft and CompTIA. You will be working on operating systems, networks, and software and hardware development. Through the program, you will develop proficiency in handling network-related concerns having to do with the Internet.
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The minimum requirement for the Franklin apprenticeship program is a high school diploma and at least two years of IT job experience. Candidates must have a strong technical background because they will be working on complex issues every day. Most importantly, you need to have a genuine interest in networks.
New Apprenticeship Tech Apprenticeship Program
New Apprenticeship is an approved and registered tech apprenticeship program that specifically helps veterans and transitioning service members. Even if veterans might have worked a tech job while in service, an apprenticeship gives them more hands-on experience. Moreover, the training provides structured learning and a chance to earn a credential.
Throughout the 15-month program, New Apprenticeship will support your job placement at one of its partner companies. Your tuition is already covered and you will receive full benefits such as interview coaching and resume improvement. The apprenticeship will also help build your portfolio, which is a must for aspiring tech professionals.
The programs at New Apprenticeship are focused on digital marketing, information technology, and data analytics. As this is an apprenticeship, you are expected to commit about 10 to 15 hours a week for education on top of your full-time job.
How to Get an Apprenticeship for Veterans
There are several channels that will help you secure a veterans apprenticeship. There are listings on both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor official websites. Aside from the government sites, there are bootcamps, internships, trade schools, and vocational schools that offer information on education for veterans.
Bootcamps
Coding bootcamps often accept GI Bill benefits as payment for its programs. Veterans might find the curriculum of a bootcamp program more focused and convenient than that of a traditional university. At bootcamps, veterans interested in tech can secure apprenticeships from partner companies.
Internships
Internships are usually similar in structure to apprenticeships. If you choose to work as an intern for a tech company, you can also look up apprenticeship opportunities within the same company. If the program happens to fall in your line of training, then it will be easier to transition because you already know the inner workings of the company.
Trade Schools
Veterans often go to trade schools to receive technical training for specific trade school jobs. Trade school certification becomes proof of expertise. Most apprenticeship programs require at least a high school diploma or the equivalent for you to qualify, so this could be a good investment.
Vocational Training
Vocational training is similar to a trade school and it is also one way to get a veterans apprenticeship. Tech-specific training is available in the fields of information technology, programming, and more. Vocational training is a combination of work and learning, which dovetails nicely with an apprenticeship. This is why vocational education looks good on a resume.
Is a Veterans Apprenticeship Worth It?
Yes, an apprenticeship for veterans is a good training ground to develop your skills in a classroom setting and while on the job. The government supports your education through the GI Bill and it is only right that you are using it for self-improvement. And remember that many coding bootcamps accept the GI Bill and offer bootcamp scholarships for veterans.
An apprenticeship for veterans is an opportunity to have a smooth transition back to society and the day-to-day workforce. It also provides you with up-to-date tech knowledge, which is important because industry trends are changing every day.
Apprenticeships for Veterans FAQ
Different kinds of trades such as electrician, medic, law enforcement, and more are acceptable apprenticeships for veterans. Tech is also a popular choice among military veterans, especially in the fields of software engineering, web development, and data science.
The Department of Veterans Affairs pays for approved apprenticeships. It has a list of accepted opportunities on its official website. If you are uncertain, then you can directly connect with the VA via email to confirm that your preferred program is good to go.
Yes, as long as your apprenticeship is approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs. The GI Bill is specifically made to support veterans and their legal dependents who are seeking to further their education. In addition to accepting GI Bill benefits, some companies and coding bootcamps offer free training to veterans as part of their inclusivity initiatives.
An apprenticeship for veterans can help you transition from military to civilian life. What you might have missed during your service, you can learn through an apprenticeship. Tech skills are taught in the classroom while you continue doing full-time work.
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