It can be daunting to switch careers, especially when changing industries. Chris Brown, however, is an excellent example of someone who has made a successful career change through Registered Apprenticeship. After years of working in marketing and politics, Chris decided to pursue a new career path. Initially, he began working with a career coach through Jewish Vocational Services and was introduced to Apprenti after sharing his dream of working in business analytics.
Apprenti proved a great match, as they utilize the Registered Apprenticeship model to create alternative pathways for organizations to access talent within the Information Technology (IT) industry. When Chris began to work with Apprenti, he enrolled in a one-year IT Business Analyst program. After completing the initial boot camp, which included job-specific coursework and industry certifications, he started On-the-Job (OJT) training with CareSource, as a Systems Analyst I. Chris did not want to take out loans to go back to school through a traditional university, so the Registered Apprenticeship model worked perfectly for him. Earning a salary while completing his OJT was also a huge benefit. When asked about his experience, Chris said, "It just made so much sense! I had wanted to get into business analytics for a long time, and the fact that this was an employer-sponsored opportunity that mixed education, OJT, and a salary made it a dream come true."
Many individuals and organizations are beginning to recognize the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship, especially in non-traditional industry sectors such as IT. Apprenti partners with multiple employers and have placed over 700 Registered Apprentices in 2022 alone. They create mutually beneficial solutions with employers and job seekers, with 88% of apprentices retained by employers after the program is completed. The average income upon completion is $86,000. Additionally, many of the apprentices applying for these programs are unemployed, with 92% coming from underrepresented groups.
As for Chris, he continues to praise the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship. It not only gave Chris a tremendous career opportunity, but he also highlighted other benefits. "I gained incredible self-confidence through this process," Chris noted. "I knew absolutely nothing about the curriculum, and Apprenti set up the program so I could work through everything successfully without any barriers. What my employer, CareSource, did for me was an incredible gift that has earned them incredible allegiance from me as an employee. My future has never felt as bright as it is right now!"
Publish Date: 05/16/2023