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With a surge of over 1.3 million technology sector jobs by 2020, companies will continue to struggle filling these roles because of a widening skills gap. Technology companies survive by their ability to hire and retain fantastic employees. With software engineers that means delivering an environment that offers autonomy, opportunities for learning, and values craft. Technology companies employ people who can learn, who love it, and those inspired to keep doing it – “life-long learners”. But, how do you foster that in emerging developers? Such that they have sufficient foundational knowledge to build a meaningful career, and that they are provided the tools to continue to bridge knowledge gaps in our ever-changing industry.

An apprenticeship program helps all your engineers understand your technology platform, culture, and shared vocabulary, so they can meaningfully contribute earlier and better. Learn how to develop and implement a robust apprenticeship program that creates a solid and continuous pipeline of talent that will grow your business. This talk is about learning, how to get started, keep motivated, self-assess, and other useful patterns.

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The video titled "Start your own engineering apprenticeship program," presented by Elle Meredith at RubyConf TH 2019, addresses the pressing skills gap in the technology sector that is exacerbated by the demand for skilled engineers. With over 1.3 million jobs expected by 2020, the traditional hiring practices do not suffice, prompting the need for innovative solutions like apprenticeship programs. This structured approach not only allows companies to foster talent but also benefits junior developers by enhancing their learning and integration into the company culture.

Key Points Discussed:
- **Hiring Challenges**: The tech industry increasingly struggles to fill positions despite the surplus of junior developers. Companies have relaxed college degree requirements, but effective talent acquisition remains a challenge.
- **Definition and Benefits of Apprenticeships**: An apprenticeship is a structured program where apprentices learn in a real-work environment, gaining valuable skills under mentorship. It contrasts with internships, which typically offer short-term, less structured opportunities focused on specific projects.
- **Implementation Steps**: Creating an apprenticeship program requires commitment from leadership and team members, a clear structure, and defined goals. This includes determining program length, necessary skills, and the mentorship framework.
- **Recruitment and Selection**: The speaker shared experiences from running an apprenticeship at Harue. Key aspects included announcing the program, assessing candidates' skills and mindsets through rubrics and technical interviews, and involving the team in the selection process.
- **Program Structure**: The Harue program alternated between theoretical learning and hands-on experience, featuring pair programming and regular mentoring sessions to facilitate collaborative learning.
- **Success and Integration**: Retaining apprentices through involvement in team dynamics and projects ensures their transition into productive team members, ultimately benefiting the organization’s growth and innovation.

Conclusions:
Meredith emphasizes the importance of building an apprenticeship program to create a continuous learning environment that aligns with company culture and engages newly trained talent. Investing in these programs can bridge the knowledge gap, enhance diversity, and contribute to a healthy pipeline of skilled developers who will help shape the future of the organization.

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