Apprenticeships are a pathway to tech careers that pay well and offer the opportunity for nontraditional learners to earn while they learn. And small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) play an essential role in the economy but often need more human resources to reach their potential.

Through funding from Google.org, Urban will help equip SMBs with “grow-their-own” workforce strategies that can boost local job markets. To that aim, the Small and Medium Business Tech Apprenticeship Project plans to support businesses to create registered apprenticeship programs to help fill their tech talent needs and place 200 apprentices into upwardly mobile tech careers.

Over the next three years, Urban Institute apprenticeship experts will

• create, expand, register, and maintain tech apprenticeship programs for small- and medium-sized businesses in North and South Carolina;
• lend expertise and resources to launch a regional SMB tech apprenticeship initiative that attracts and retains underserved populations with meaningful tech careers; and
• distribute financial incentives to SMBs to start and expand their programs.

The SMB Tech Apprenticeship Project will also develop a guide for SMBs to build, manage, and sustain registered apprenticeship programs. This resource will offer guidance on program development, best practices for recruiting and hiring apprentices, managing the program, and navigating public funding.

This regionally targeted project aims to elevate registered apprenticeship programs as a path to good tech jobs in the Carolinas and will ultimately lay the groundwork for similar programs nationwide. 

In the News

Google money, community colleges partner to pay and train apprentices in tech  
WRAL TechWire – September 25, 2023

Tech apprenticeship discussion with Urban Institute and Cloud for Good
ApprenticeshipNC Podcast – October 1, 2023