The Future Workforce: Where Do Tech Apprenticeships Fit In?

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) recently completed its 2020 Future of Work: 2020 CTA Member Survey, a wide-ranging look at tech industry workplaces. The survey reflects the many changes to the work environment wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, but what’s really notable is how little the big picture – the hot-button issues for managers and employees – has changed.

For example, 75% or respondents say it’s difficult to find candidates with the right skills and abilities, and 80% say they’ll need more of those hard-to-find team members. Four out of five also say they’ll be conducting more interviews remotely.

That state of affairs is changing the picture somewhat, as almost three-quarters now say they’ll hire based on skill level, regardless of education level. In fact, 58% say their company does not require a college degree. Almost nine out of ten have at least one current or planned program to enhance diversity and inclusion at their organization, and 43% plan to devote resources to hiring more employees from underrepresented backgrounds.

In a work-from-home environment where many employees are juggling work and parenting, it’s no surprise that flexible work arrangements are considered (by 89% of respondents) to be the most important benefit for employee retention. Yet somehow only 40% of companies currently allow for designated telework days.

From our point of view, the story told by all that data is this: the current environment is custom-made for apprenticeship programs. Trouble finding good candidates? No degree necessary? Remote interviews and training? A more diverse workforce?

Apprenticeships check all those boxes and many more, and 24% of respondents said they plan to use more train-to-hire programs such as apprenticeships. We expect this figure to only grow to meet the trends mentioned here.

Franklin Apprenticeships – Changing the American Workforce.

See the full CTA Future of Work report here, and if you’re having the same challenges in filling your empty seats with qualified personnel, contact Franklin Apprenticeships today.