Leading a national apprenticeship movement
We recognize the important role professional apprenticeships can play in closing the skills gap in the U.S., providing underserved groups greater access to innovation economy jobs and helping reskill workers whose jobs have been, or will be, disrupted by technology.
In 2017, Accenture and Aon cofounded the Chicago Apprenticeship Network – partnering with local employers like McDonald’s, Zurich Insurance and Walgreens to jumpstart their professional apprenticeship programs. There are now 700+ apprenticeships committed across 40+ member organizations, with a plan to grow to 1,000 by the end of 2021.
In collaboration with Aon, the Chicago Apprentice Network and the Business Roundtable, we launched an apprenticeship playbook which focuses on the key steps, considerations, examples and case studies for apprenticeships in professional positions.
We hope the playbook will enable other companies to join the national movement for professional apprenticeship programs and help us create a more inclusive innovation economy.
Accenture apprentice program
As part of our commitment to advance the adoption of professional apprenticeships, we are rapidly expanding our program to bring apprenticeships to Accenture locations across the U.S.
>800
Total apprentices in the U.S. to date
25+
Cities across the U.S.
Apprenticeships: from community college to promising tech career
We set out to understand what U.S. community college students expect from their careers and how much they know about the potential benefits of apprenticeships.
Our findings show that a concerted effort by employers, educators and non-profit partners to build and promote apprenticeship programs has the potential to fundamentally change the professional trajectory for millions of Americans—and the economy as a whole.
Companies, counselors and community stakeholders all have an important role to play in our efforts to close the skills gap and transform the American labor market.
VIEW FULL REPORT VIEW THE INFOGRAPHICMeet our apprentices
Our apprentices bring a unique perspective to their careers at Accenture. Learn more about them as they start the next chapter in their professional careers.
Ahmad Aladawi
Chicago, IL
A Syrian immigrant whose credits didn’t transfer, Ahmad put himself through college, became an apprentice, and is now a Security senior analyst.
Danica Lohja
Chicago, IL
Danica came to Accenture’s Apprenticeship through the Chicago community college system, and has since had continued success in our Corporate IT group.
Reggie Hardin
San Antonio, TX
Reggie, a veteran, became an apprentice through the nonprofit Project Quest. He is now a Salesforce developer with Accenture Federal Services.
Brenna Keiger
Columbus, OH
A self-taught programmer, Brenna enrolled in a two-year Computer Science degree program, and became an apprentice in software development.
Chance Rodnez
Atlanta, GA
A programmer with Year Up, Chance completed Accenture’s apprenticeship program and is now developing web applications with our User Interface team.
Carlos Shows
Detroit, MI
Originally a pipefitter, Carlos enrolled in a Grand Circus Coding Bootcamp and now works fulltime at Accenture as a business integration senior analyst.
Apprenticeships in the news
The New York Times
Tech Jobs Lead to the Middle Class. Just Not for the Masses.
The Washington Post
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix our labor market
ABC 7 Chicago News
Jobs pipeline created by Chicago businesses and City Colleges
FORTUNE
Former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker: How to Create the Workforce of the Future
FORTUNE
Can Apprenticeships Help Close U.S. Skills Gaps?
HR Dive
How companies use apprenticeships to build alternative career paths
Insight Into Diversity
Apprentice Network Creates a Pipeline of Diverse Talent in Chicago, and Leaders Hope to Expand It
Chicago Tribune
Lightfoot and Pritzker tout apprenticeships to make sure talented local residents get jobs at local companies
The New York Times
Tech Jobs Lead to the Middle Class. Just Not for the Masses.