From Nov. 13 to Nov. 19, hundreds of employers, community-based organizations, education providers, and more celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). They host events to showcase the successes and value of professional apprenticeships.
As a founding member of the Michigan Apprentice Network (MiAN) – formerly known as the Detroit New Apprentice (DNA) Network – the Detroit Regional Chamber is one of the many organizations celebrating NAW. It is publishing a week-long content series, spotlighting MiAN member companies that host apprenticeship programs and celebrating the impact apprenticeship programs have as a talent solution on filling high-growth and high-demand roles.
Below is the Chamber’s second spotlight with Accenture.
Accenture is a founding Michigan Apprentice Network member, Accenture is leading the way in providing professional apprenticeships. The goal of its North America Apprenticeship Program is to create new career pathways for untapped talent and re-skill those whose jobs have been or will be disrupted by technology.
About Accenture’s Apprenticeship Program
Apprentices work across a variety of areas within Accenture, spanning internal functions like IT and HR as well as client-facing work. Some of the top in-demand roles for apprentices are in cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud migration.
Apprenticeships typically last 12 months, offer an average of 40 hours of work per week, and include formal learning, on-the-job training, and coaching to help apprentices build their skills and advance their careers. They also receive training and mentorship to develop technical and professional skills. All apprentices earn a wage during the program and, upon successful completion, have the opportunity to continue in a career with Accenture.
To get started with its apprenticeship program, Accenture evaluated where there was a high demand for roles in which talent could be developed through a combination of formal learning and on-the-job training. The process led to a range of technology delivery entry-level roles across testing, development, conversion, design, business analysis, infrastructure support, and project management.
The Impact of Accenture’s Apprenticeship Program
The program has been a huge benefit to Accenture. It has allowed the company to widen its talent pool beyond typical sources (four-year colleges). Apprentices enter the program with a high school diploma or equivalent, typically do not have a 4-year degree, and have a demonstrated interest in the role they are apprenticing.
Focusing primarily on skills, not degrees, has redefined how Accenture thinks about potential: skills plus learning agility plus aspiration. This equation not only opens new doors to find talent but also provides people with new career pathways that can fulfill their potential in creative ways. It’s clear that a person’s educational credentials are not the only indicators of success, and Accenture is committed to evaluating candidates based on their skills, experiences, and potential.
Accenture encourages employers considering starting an apprenticeship program to take the leap. Learn more about apprenticeships and how your organization can start a program via the Chamber’s Workforce Success Toolkit.