Applicant Frequently Asked Questions

Apprenti is for anyone looking for a path to a career in tech. We focus primarily on recruiting women, Veterans, people of color, and people with disabilities, though everyone is welcome to apply. If you are 18 years old or older and are eligible to work in the United States for the duration of the program, you can apply for the Apprenti program. Apprentices are not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship, nor is the program open to F-1 student visa holders. While a high school diploma is not required to become an apprentice in the Apprenti program, a high school-level education may be required by employer hiring partners, and to ensure a more successful experience in related technical instruction.

No, you do not need a degree to apply. However, if you have a degree and are finding it challenging to get a job in the tech field, Apprenti can help get you in the door. No prior technical experience is required to be accepted into our program.

The Apprenti application includes a short questionnaire where you’ll share information about yourself, your desired occupation, and your location. After applying, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to complete the Apprenti assessment. The assessment is an opportunity to demonstrate your competency in math, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills, and make sure you’re ready for the intensive Related Technical Instruction required for the apprenticeship. Apply now via this link.

The number of available apprenticeship openings is based on the interest and demand of hiring partners. Apprenticeship opportunities become available on a rolling basis.

You have unlimited time to complete the assessment. You can take the assessment at home or any other location where you feel comfortable. You can pause your assessment attempt by closing the webpage at any time. To resume where you left off, just click on the assessment link provided in your email. 

Each applicant has four total attempts to meet the minimum score on the assessment. We have test prep materials available on our website to help you study. Your highest scores from each portion of the assessment are used to determine your total score. Many applicants need to take the assessment more than once, so don’t be discouraged if your score isn’t what you hoped on your first attempt. The minimum assessment score required to qualify for our program is 80. Once you reach a total overall score of 80 or above, you will not be able to retake the assessment. All scores between 80-100 are considered equal and we do not rank applicants based on scores once you have reached 80 or above. Therefore, retaking the assessment in an attempt to get a higher score does not impact when we will reach out to you about opportunities.

Yes, you can select the occupations you are most interested in when you apply.Please only select occupations that are of interest to you. We consider your occupational and location preferences when selecting candidates to interview.

Apprenti staff will reach out to candidates to schedule interviews when our hiring partners have openings. Candidates will be selected for interviews based on their occupational interest and location, and after meeting the minimum score on the Apprenti assessment. There is no set schedule for the frequency of interviews.

When we have an upcoming apprenticeship opportunity to fill, Apprenti will reach out to eligible applicants with an invitation to interview. The Apprenti interview consists of a one-hour behavioral interview with a member of our team. To learn more about the interview process and expectations, please watch our Applicant Video Guide.

We will enroll you in accelerated, full-time classroom-based technical training that takes between two and five months to complete, depending on the occupation. Once you complete technical training, the next step is paid on-the-job training with your employer, which lasts one year. After successfully completing your apprenticeship, you may be hired into a permanent position with your employer. 

The technical training period is full-time and required. You should expect to spend a full 40 hours per week in class in addition to homework requirements outside of class. Some apprentices will learn faster than others and require more or less time on a weekly basis. Missing class is not advised. Courses are fast-paced and cover a depth of material that make each lesson difficult to make up if missed. Working part-time during technical training is not a viable option for most apprentices.

You may be able to forgo some or all of the technical training by passing a placement test or showing proof that you’ve previously completed the course or attained the required certifications, if applicable. Not all courses have placement tests available, and you may need to retake a course if the course material has been updated since you completed it. Requests to forgo training are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The training is currently offered at no cost to apprentices. Expenses are covered by funding from employer contributions, grants, and donations. Applicants may be asked to apply for training and/or support services benefits with their local workforce agency. 

Technical training is usually delivered synchronously online, but may be delivered in an in-person classroom or workshop format for smaller cohorts or highly specialized employer requirements. Course material depends on the apprenticeship occupation. For example, if you are training to become a cybersecurity analyst, you’ll take coursework in networks, security and risk management, and intrusion detection/penetration testing/ethical hacking. These topics will be associated with industry-recognized certifications where appropriate. Instructors and employers are aware some apprentices may not have formal tech backgrounds. For this reason, training is designed to be comprehensive so all apprentices can be prepared for on-the-job tasks.

Yes, upon successful completion of technical training, apprentices will transition into their on-the-job training position with their employer. Apprentices must keep up with their competency benchmarks throughout on-the-job training and behave professionally or they risk being terminated by their employer and the cancellation of their apprenticeship.

Apprenti partners with many companies and institutions across the United States, including JPMorgan Chase, Cengage Group, Amazon, Wayfair, Kroger, Harvard University’s IT Department, and more. New hiring partners and markets are added as our program continues to grow. While not all of our partners are traditional tech companies, they all have a need for well-trained tech workers.

As a Registered Apprenticeship program, Apprenti sets minimum rates for pay based on location and occupation. Employers may pay their apprentices more than those minimum rates but not less. As apprentices’ skills and experience increase, so does their pay. Apprentices are also entitled to health and dental benefits during their on-the-job training and potentially other standard company benefits, such as 401(k) retirement savings or a health care savings account.

We ask our hiring partners to plan to have full-time employment positions available for each apprentice they take on. However, employers are not required to retain their graduated apprentices. Doing your best and becoming part of the company team and culture increases your chances of being retained by the employer beyond the end of your apprenticeship experience. 

Review the Apprenti “Navigating the Accommodation Process” and “Disclosing a Disability – Know Your Rights” page to learn more about the accommodation process for candidates and apprentices. If you need accommodation, please contact the Apprenti accessibility team at accommodations@apprenticareers.org or (206) 513-7924. You can learn more about the Apprenti’s Access Team services here.