The high-speed, always-changing world of Information Technology (IT) is moving fast — making it one of the most competitive professions today. It can be intimidating for those entering the field knowing that they need to hustle to keep up.
Of course, the first step is usually having a degree or holding a job in IT — but what if you don’t? A lack of real-world experience creates barriers from where you are to where you want to be. And the accelerating skills gap is increasing those barriers. A fast-changing world needs an education model that can quickly adapt to the needs of the workforce.
While IT apprenticeships are gaining traction with some of the biggest names in tech, allowing newcomers a shot at breaking into the field, there’s still a gap in the need for talent in cloud engineering. Gartner surveys reports that more than a third of organizations see cloud investments as a top-three investing priority. With this surge to cloud technology comes an urgency to train and upskill workers in cloud skills to meet the demand.
Most companies are on the hunt for those who already have the right knowledge and skills to meet the demand, but they’re missing out on the non-traditional approaches to cultivate the new talent they need. By offering apprenticeship and on-the-job programs to those outside the industry, teaching them through work-based learning and hands-on experiences connected to real-world problems, it creates a new opportunity for both employers and professionals.
Here at Pearson, we’ve just launched our new apprenticeship program. Learning2Work, a Cloud Careers Track, offers a personalized three-year journey learning the foundations of cloud engineering through on-the-job training and mentorship. It doesn’t matter if you’re still getting your degree, got your degree and want a change, looking for a career opportunity in your field, or want to completely change your career path — Learning2Work is designed for on-the-job training, offering the ability to invest in talent to support this highly sought-after career field.
Companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google are creating similar industry-launched career tracks and apprenticeship programs for those looking to break into the field. And as IT continues its shift towards cloud careers, AWS and Google have also started offering certifications in cloud engineering which is also helping to drive the shift from traditional education to real-world experience and skills. The industry is evolving and so are those creating it.
By discovering, cultivating and mentoring talent to meet the demand for the future of IT skills, apprenticeships and non-traditional programs are giving the next generation of IT professionals a fighting chance.
Ian Wright is Vice President, Infrastructure & Operations for Information Technology at Pearson