Coding Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are some of the oldest forms of career training around. They allow novices to train on-the-job with professionals, sometimes in exchange for discounted labor. Apprenticeships, like internships, can help a great deal at the beginning of a new career. 

Today, these on-the-job career training programs aren’t limited to skilled trades. Due to the high demand for skilled tech workers, companies across the country now offer coding apprenticeships. This includes apprenticeship programs in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, and more. 

Coding apprenticeships are an excellent option for recent bootcamp graduates, college graduates, and self-taught programmers. They offer exclusive real-world insight into the field and often serve as a ‘foot-in-the-door’ for new programmers. In this article, we’ll go over the types and benefits of coding apprenticeships, along with a few examples. 

Benefits of Coding Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a valuable step in the education process. They’re not the entire process, but they provide real-world experience that you won’t find in a classroom. Here are the top three benefits of a coding apprenticeship:

1. Real-World Experience

An apprenticeship offers on-the-job training. It exposes new programmers to real-world situations and provides an accurate glimpse into the realities of the career they’re building. An apprenticeship allows students to develop the critical thinking abilities required in a dynamic workplace, such as a tech company.

1. Hard Work Pays Off

Paid apprenticeship programs are an opportunity to make money for coding. Getting paid for work is rewarding. Plus, it adds legitimacy to the experience itself. To put it simply, graduating for coding is one thing—getting paid for coding is another. It demonstrates to employers that your work is exceptional enough to pay for.

1. You Don’t have to be Perfect

An apprentice is a student—and making mistakes is acceptable. It’s time to learn and become a better programmer. The lessons you learn during an apprenticeship follow you throughout your career. It helps prepare you for the real world through learning and doing. 

Types of Coding Apprenticeships

Coding apprenticeships come in all forms. Many apprenticeships are paid. Regardless of your field of choice, there’s most likely an apprenticeship opportunity out there. Here are five of the most popular coding apprenticeships.

• Web Developer Apprenticeship

Web developer apprenticeships are ideal for front-end, backend, and full-stack development students. Web development is one of the fastest-growing fields in tech, and paid apprenticeship programs abound. These opportunities give students a chance to work with a seasoned web development team. You’ll learn the nuances of working for a business where appearance and functionality are vital.

• Software Developer Apprenticeship

Software engineering and development apprenticeships are attractive opportunities. Recent software engineering bootcamp graduates are welcomed into these positions. Dozens of companies offer software engineering apprenticeships to help motivated coders get the experience they need in a complex environment. Students learn how to integrate into a real company, along with how to code alongside professionals and work as a team.

• Data Science Apprenticeship

Data science apprenticeships are a particularly valuable experience for new coders. And while all coding is complex, integrating into a data science career can be particularly tricky. The field is rife with high-level tasks, making apprenticeships an invaluable source of experience. Students will learn how to manage databases and solve problems in a real-time, real-world situation. 

Companies with Apprenticeship Opportunities

Apprenticeships are quite common in the tech industry. So common that it’s virtually impossible to list them all. However, a few notable companies regularly offer coding apprenticeship programs. 

Unfortunately, not all apprenticeships are paid. Nonetheless, all apprenticeships offer valuable mentorship and work experience. Students can benefit enormously from these programs, paid or unpaid. Here are two examples of companies currently offering coding apprenticeships.

• Microsoft

Microsoft LEAP is a coding apprenticeship program, structured much like a coding bootcamp. Students spend 16 weeks immersed in real-world projects. The LEAP program is an excellent learning opportunity, along with the possibility of getting your foot in the door with a large tech company.

• City Internships

City Internships offers a unique on-the-job training opportunity through the Global Explorer and Global Accelerator programs. Students spend eight weeks immersed in an apprenticeship with a real company. Plus, students can access additional training opportunities through City Internships itself. 

How to Find a Coding Apprenticeship

Finding a coding apprenticeship is relatively simple. There is a wide array of different options available such as apprenticeships for women and new graduates. Landing it may not be, but these programs are anything but rare. You’ll discover apprenticeship opportunities all over online job boards such as Indeed, and even the classifieds. 

If you can’t find a good fit on a job board, just ask around! Many apprenticeships are a result of a coffee shop conversation or even a cold email. Find a local company with a job offer or contact them and inquire about apprenticeship opportunities. It may take a while, but don’t get discouraged—you never know who’s looking for extra help.