At WEI, our team understands that diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords—they're essential components of innovation and business success. As a minority-owned IT solutions provider, WEI is proud to offer our Technical Apprenticeship for Diverse Candidates service, designed to cultivate and integrate diverse talent into the IT workforce.
Formally introduced in 2023, this program is responding to the tech industry’s longtime trend of lacking gender, cultural, race, and ethnic diversity. This is troubling given IT’s high demand, competitive salaries, and job stability. Still, much progress must be made. For example, women are underrepresented in this growing industry, and people of color constitute an even slimmer percentage of big tech. According to a recent report by Zippia, there are some very telling statistics from big tech in the US:
- 26.7% of tech jobs are held by women while men hold 73.3%.
- Black Americans hold 7% of jobs, Latinx Americans hold 8% of jobs, and Asian Americans hold 20% of jobs.
- 83.3% of tech executives are white.
- Compared to other industries, the tech industry employs a smaller proportion of Black Americans (7.4% versus 14.4%), Latinx Americans (8% versus 13.9%), and women (36% versus 48%).
Many, especially those within the cybersecurity sector, feel there is a massive lack of staffing in information technology. More than ever, security analysts are being asked to do more and it is leading to eventual burnout. At WEI’s recent Cyber Warfare & Beyond roundtable discussion, renowned cyber thought leader Rick Howard said the perception of a staffing shortage actually has more to do with the mismanagement of existing talent within many enterprises.
“In my opinion, we don't have a shortage of entry level talent coming into the field,” said Howard. “There's lots of training programs for that. When you're a security manager hiring a disposition manager, you're not looking for new talent, though. They are looking for the person with 25 years of experience and 17 certifications that they can pay them $150 an hour for. That's why when you hear everyone say there's a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, there's not. As a profession, we manage it poorly. We don't bring in new talent and train them up the scale. We try to find the unicorns, the super stars, and we don't pay attention to all that stuff. That's a complete mindset that needs to change in our industry if we are going to fix that problem."
With many across the cyber and greater IT industry sharing Howard’s opinion, identifying and sustainably developing tomorrow’s IT talent is more pertinent than ever. Enter WEI’s partnership with CyberTrust Massachsuetts, which comes at a time when many organizations are struggling to retain and upskill IT personnel. WEI is working to help customers alleviate this challenge by offering the apprenticeship. Graduates of the CyberTrust program who enroll into the apprenticeship service will experience a smoother transition from academia to the corporate world.
Here’s an in-depth look at this transformative service, how it can benefit your organization, and a proven use case our team will share with you.
What Is WEI’s Apprenticeship Service?
The WEI Technical Apprenticeship For Diverse Candidates offering is a comprehensive initiative that aims to recruit, train, and transition diverse candidates into full-time IT roles. Notable roles this offering has recently filled for clients include:
- Cloud application engineer
- Data engineer
- Application developer
- Generative AI apprentice
- Solution application developer
This program is specifically designed to address the unique needs of medium and large enterprises, offering a tailored approach to building a skilled and diverse workforce. By partnering with educational institutions and leveraging our extensive industry expertise, WEI provides apprentices with the skills and experience needed to thrive in today's competitive tech landscape.
Watch: Harnessing A Diverse Talent Pipeline For Cybersecurity Personnel
Benefits for Medium and Large Enterprises
- Access to a diverse and untapped talent pool: The service connects enterprises with talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering innovation and varied perspectives within your teams. As more apprentices are sourced and hired, a sustainable talent pipeline begins to develop for your enterprise for future IT roles.
- Customized training: Apprentices receive training tailored to your organization’s specific technologies and workflows, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute effectively from day one.
- Cost-effective talent acquisition: The apprenticeship program provides a cost-effective solution for developing skilled talent, reducing the expenses associated with traditional recruitment and training methods.
- Enhanced corporate reputation: Partnering with WEI demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion, enhancing your corporate reputation and attractiveness to top talent.
Simplified Four-Step Process
WEI’s apprenticeship program is designed to be seamless and straightforward for our clients. Our four-step recruit-to-transfer process ensures that both the apprentices and your organization benefit from a structured and supportive experience. Clients enter this process knowing there is zero obligation to hire the apprentice to a full-time position, although a full-time hire is what plays out more times than not.
1. Identify Apprenticeship Plan and Expectations: We work closely with you to define the apprenticeship plan, including specific roles, technology stacks, and desired outcomes.
2. Hiring the Apprentice: WEI handles the recruitment process, identifying candidates with the right attitude and aptitude for the role. Using tools like Harrison Assessments, we ensure that the best-suited candidates are selected.
3. Deliver Development Plan: Apprentices undergo a year-long, iterative training program that includes hands-on experience, supervised projects, and continuous assessment to ensure they acquire the necessary skills.
4. Transfer Apprentice to Full-Time Employment: After successful completion of the apprenticeship, apprentices transition into full-time roles within your organization. While there is no obligation to hire, 99% of our clients choose to bring the apprentices on board permanently.
Proven And Measured Success
WEI’s apprenticeship service has a strong track record of success. In previous programs, diverse candidates have seamlessly integrated into various enterprises, contributing to significant improvements in project delivery and team dynamics. For instance, we have placed apprentices in roles such as cloud data engineers, application developers, and solutions architects, all of whom have demonstrated exceptional performance and career growth.
1. Conversion Rate to Full-Time Employment
One of the primary indicators of the program's success is the conversion rate of apprentices to full-time employees. A high conversion rate signifies that the training provided is effective and aligns well with the needs of the client. WEI boasts a 99% conversion rate, demonstrating the program’s ability to prepare apprentices for long-term roles within client organizations.
2. Retention Rate Post-Apprenticeship
Retention rate measures how long apprentices remain with the client company after being hired full-time. This metric is crucial because it indicates the apprentice’s satisfaction and the quality of the match between the apprentice and the employer. WEI has seen high retention rates, with many apprentices continuing to grow and advance within their organizations.
3. Performance and Productivity Metrics
During the apprenticeship, we monitor the performance and productivity of each apprentice through regular evaluations and feedback from supervisors. Key performance indicators (KPIs) might include:
- Completion rate of assigned projects
- Quality of work
- Adherence to timelines
These metrics help ensure that apprentices are meeting or exceeding expectations in their roles.
4. Skills and Certification Attainment
We track the skills and certifications attained by apprentices throughout the program. This includes completion of training modules, acquisition of relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA, AWS), and mastery of specific technical skills. Ensuring apprentices achieve these milestones confirms they are gaining the necessary expertise to excel in their roles.
5. Feedback from Clients and Apprentices
Client satisfaction is a vital measure of the program’s effectiveness. We gather regular feedback from clients regarding the apprentices' performance, integration into the team, and overall contribution to the company. Additionally, feedback from the apprentices themselves provides insights into their learning experience, satisfaction with the training, and any areas for improvement.
6. Career Progression and Advancement
Tracking the career progression of apprentices after they transition to full-time roles provides long-term insight into the program’s success. Metrics such as promotions, salary increases, and leadership roles attained can indicate the lasting impact of the apprenticeship on the individual’s career trajectory.
7. Return on Investment (ROI) for Clients
Finally, we measure the ROI for clients participating in the apprenticeship program. This includes assessing the cost savings associated with hiring trained apprentices versus recruiting experienced professionals, as well as the overall value added to the company through increased productivity and innovation.
By closely monitoring these metrics, WEI ensures that our Technical Apprenticeship Program continues to deliver exceptional value to both our apprentices and our clients.
Conclusion
Every industry has unique requirements, and WEI’s apprenticeship program is flexible enough to meet these diverse needs. Whether your organization requires advanced cybersecurity training, cloud computing expertise, or specialized software development skills, WEI can tailor the apprenticeship curriculum to align with your specific industry demands.
By leveraging WEI’s expertise and commitment to excellence, you can drive your business forward while contributing to a more inclusive tech industry. For more information about our apprenticeship program and how it can benefit your organization, visit WEI’s Technical Apprenticeship Program.
