IBM, California Form Public-Private Partnership on Tech Apprenticeship

The state of California has partnered with IBM to implement the company’s apprenticeship model in efforts to boost workforce skills in the areas of application development, software engineering and mainframe system administration.

Multiple state agencies have pledged to sponsor the zSystems Apprenticeship pilot program as part of the public-private partnership, IBM said Thursday.

California’s Division of Apprenticeship Standards will use IBM’s model to accelerate apprenticeship activities that aim to address the state’s technology skills gap.

IBM noted that participants can attend classes, mentorships and on-the-job training while receiving financial compensation.

“This program will offer those new to the workforce, as well as mid-career workers, an opportunity to acquire skills for in-demand public technology jobs as we move toward one digital government,” said Amy Tong, state chief information officer and director of California’s technology department.

The application period will open in the winter, with initial coursework scheduled for early 2020.

According to Local 1000 of the Service Employees International Union, the estimated vacancy rate for civilian information technology government positions is 18.6 percent.