College graduates face an uphill road in the job search. The road can be steeper for those with technology degrees because experience is generally weighed heavier than qualifications by most people hiring in technology.  

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers:

Nearly 91 percent of employers responding to NACE’s Job Outlook 2017 survey prefer that their candidates have work experience. (www.naceweb.org) 

An apprenticeship could be the best way to get your foot in the door with a good company and gather the necessary experience while also getting paid. But many apprenticeships are simply set up by companies without experience to run such a program. Apprentices may come out with experience to write on their resume, but many leave feeling duped and discouraged. 

How can you tell if the apprenticeship program you are considering is valid and worthwhile? 

You will be working with other apprentices.

If you are the only person being hired for the project, it isn’t an apprenticeship program. There may be times when you are working apart from other apprentices, and you could be tested with tasks of your own, but the entire program will have more than one apprentice. 

The benefit of working with other apprentices is that you can collaborate and learn from one another. At Tech One IT, we strive to build a friendly environment for our apprentices so that, even when working alone, they can lean on one another for support. This is an easier transition into the workforce from college and has proven much more beneficial to our apprentices than their peers that were hired directly. 

You will work with a mentor, or at least in a group managed by an experienced employee. 

An apprenticeship is a full-time job working within a team. The difference between an apprenticeship and a full-time job is the purpose. An apprentice’s purpose is to learn from mentors and peers (i.e., other apprentices). They will complete their apprenticeship with an understanding of workplace culture, knowledge of different processes, and organizational skills that are never taught but just expected of a direct hire. 

At no point should you be taking the place of an experienced full-time employee. If you don’t feel like you are getting the full benefits of your apprenticeship, contact us: Contact@TechOneIT.com.

There is an end date.

An apprenticeship is a long-term project. It has an end date and comes with no guarantee of a full-time job upon completion. 

Why take an apprenticeship without the guarantee of a job? 

You never have a guarantee of a job, regardless of how you are hired!

The Tech One IT apprentices work for some of the nation’s most exciting companies, sometimes Fortune 100 companies and sometimes small start-ups. Imagine coming straight out of college and working on an IT project for a Fortune 100 company. That’s not an opportunity given to many. 

You won’t be asked to do tasks outside of your scope.

Most direct hires that land a job straight out of college find themselves completing tasks that are outside their field. When I graduated with a Master’s in Communication, I was hired by a Fortune 100 company to write their training manuals. I actually spent much of my time packing boxes full of those training manuals and booking hotels for sales managers attending training seminars. 

At Tech One IT, we work closely with our clients to set up apprenticeship programs that benefit our apprentices and use their skills. Sure, there will be an element of work that falls outside of your training in every job, like reporting, but you will not find yourself packing boxes! 

The program is certified.

Tech ONe IT is a certified apprenticeship program. We have a Registered Apprenticeship Program validated by the Department of Labor and the State of Arizona. 

By earning these certifications, we can work with the nation’s fastest-growing companies and set up new programs all across the country. 

Apprenticeship programs are usually partnered with Universities, Colleges, and Trade Schools.

Apprenticeship programs benefit students and employers, so it only makes sense that a valid apprenticeship program would partner with local schools to reach the students. Tech One IT has outstanding relationships with Arizona State University, as well as several local colleges. 

Read More: 

The Power of Partnerships: How Tech One IT & Trilogy Are Equipping Arizona’s Tech Boom

Tech One IT Announces Scholarship Program at DevMountain

View Open Jobs Here: Careers | Learn About TAP: Technology Apprenticeship Program |

Email Us: Contact@techoneit.com | Call Us: 480-449-3333