IBM and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) jointly announced the launch of the CTA Apprenticeship Coalition at the CES Show this week in Las Vegas. The Coalition aims to close the skills gap faced by companies hiring new employees by creating thousands of new apprenticeships across 20 states in the U.S. With this new initiative, IBM made a pledge to add 450 apprenticeships or more every year for the next five years.
The technology sector remains the fastest growing part of America’s economy, and already accounts for 10% of U.S. GDP. However, there is a lack of skilled workers able to fill the 500,000 jobs demanding high-tech skills. Directly aimed at combatting this shortage, the CTA Apprenticeship Coalition set out a framework for over 15 different apprenticeships for fields like cybersecurity, program management, creative design, software engineering, and others.
“Our commitment – and our entire industry’s obligation – is to build a workforce that is ‘tomorrow ready,’” said IBM Chairman and President Ginni Rometty in the opening remarks of the CES. “This new Coalition allows us to scale apprenticeship programs nationwide and prepare more workers for the surging number of new collar jobs that require in-demand skills, but not always a four-year degree.”
The Coalition’s wide reach ensures that its apprenticeships aren’t just offered in coastal tech hubs, but all across the country as it aims to shift the focus from college degrees to the specific skills a potential employee has. They offer an opportunity to build up demanded skills without student debts, and represent an emerging pathway to success in careers, especially new collar roles that don’t require a traditional bachelor’s degree.
