AT&T and NOVA launch IT apprenticeship program

AT&T has created an IT apprenticeship program with Northern Virginia Community College and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, the company announced Tuesday.

The two-year program will offer students information technology training and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training in technical, soft skills, lab work and related skills. They will earn five industry certifications in A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA and ITIL.

Those selected will work as part-time AT&T employees and train at NOVA’s Reston complex and AT&T’s Oakton facility.

“Identifying and hiring qualified information technology talent continues to be a challenge for federal agencies,” said Jill Singer, vice president-defense and national security for AT&T’s public sector and FirstNet, in a statement. “In particular, national security agencies face challenges such as high-level security clearances and a need for specific IT skill sets, which can make it even harder for them to grow their talent base.”

Those who complete the training and are approved for federal government security clearance are expected to be hired by AT&T as full-time employees.

Applications are being accepted from Aug. 26 to Sept. 23. Students will be selected by late October and training will begin in January.

“Information technology jobs in our region are projected to grow, on average, 1.5% each year over the next decade — three times the regional average for all jobs — and we currently have more information technology jobs open in Northern Virginia than people qualified to fill these critical roles,” said Steven Partridge, vice present of strategy, research and workforce innovation for NOVA, in a statement. “Building the IT talent pipeline for the Northern Virginia region is crucial and NOVA is proud to partner with AT&T to provide an innovative opportunity for our current and former students to launch their IT careers.”