Start your own apprenticeship program

With all the development bootcamps around, there is a surplus of bright junior developers, however, everyone is looking to hire senior devs. Building a developer apprenticeship in your organisation creates a continuous learning environment. It helps all your engineers understand the technology stack, culture, and shared vocabulary.

Learn how to hire for, develop, and implement a robust apprenticeship program that creates a solid pipeline of talent that will grow your business.

Almost full write-up is available at: https://blog.blackmill.co/start-your-own-apprenticeship-program-37a3c33a66b9

Transcript

1. Start your own
   apprenticeship program
   ELLE MEREDITH
   

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2. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
   Everyone wants to
   hire senior developers
   

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3. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
   Your people are your
   most valuable resource
   

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4. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
   Apprenticeship is…
   training in an art, trade, or cra! under
   a legal agreement that defines the
   duration and conditions of the
   relationship between master and
   apprentice
   

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5. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
   ‛ Apprentice
   ‛ Journeyman
   ‛ Master
   

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6. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
   Different to internship?
   Intern:
   a student or trainee who
   works, sometimes without
   pay, in order to gain work
   experience or satisfy
   requirements for a
   qualification.
   Apprentice:
   a person who is learning
   a trade from a skilled
   employer, having agreed
   to work for a fixed period
   at [relatively] low wages
   

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7. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
   Different to internship?
   Intern:
   a student or trainee who
   works, sometimes without
   pay, in order to gain work
   experience or satisfy
   requirements for a
   qualification.
   Apprentice:
   a person who is learning
   a trade from a skilled
   employer, having agreed
   to work for a fixed period
   at [relatively] low wages
   

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8. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
   Apprenticeship is
   ‛ On the job training
   ‛ Focus on sustainable growth
   ‛ Longer term
   ‛ Real application
   ‛ Dedicated mentoring
   ‛ Instruction = occupation
   ‛ Honing their craft
   ‛ Talent evaluation
   ‛ Results in a full-time role
   

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9. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
   Why?
   

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10. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Hiring juniors makes for
    better team workflows
    ‛ Improves diversity
    ‛ Improved performance
    ‛ Increased productivity
    ‛ Simpler explanations
    ‛ Better understanding
    ‛ Documentation
    ‛ Explicit communication
    

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11. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Hiring juniors supports
    team development
    ‛ Improves retention
    ‛ Training
    ‛ Competitive edge
    ‛ Skills gap
    ‛ Supports scaling
    ‛ Saves time and money on recruitment
    

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12. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    What do you
    need?
    

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13. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Company buy-in
    

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14. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Team buy-in
    

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15. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Person(s) responsible
    

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16. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    How do you
    start a program?
    

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17. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Understand needs
    1
    - Program length
    - Number of apprentices
    - Who's in charge of what
    - What they should know
    - What they should learn
    - How they will learn it
    

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18. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Understand needs
    1
    - Define realistic expectations
    - Set timeline
    - Plan how to source and hire apprentices
    - Develop processes and logistics
    - Budget
    

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19. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Source candidates
    2
    - How will you recruit and screen candidates?
    - Decide what you're looking for
    - Decide pay grades
    - Decide on promotion channels
    - Define the hiring process
    - Adjust for beginner level
    - Set dates in calendar
    - Select a hiring committee
    - Make the hiring a team decision
    

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20. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    How did we do it?
    

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21. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    

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22. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    

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23. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    1. Why programming? What have you done to expose yourself to
    programming so far?
    2. If you are accepted into our programme, what would you like to
    get out of it? What would success look like for you?
    3. Tell us about a time you made a mistake that you learned a lot
    from. If you encountered the situation again, what would you do
    differently?
    4. Why are you interested in joining Hooroo? How do you relate to
    Hooroo's purpose and values?
    

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24. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    

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25. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Your code should demonstrate:
    - knowledge of Ruby syntax, style, organisation, and refactoring;
    - division into logical components and methods with clear responsibility; and
    - all requirements as laid out per the specification.
    

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26. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Non-technical interview
    

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27. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Tell us about a time you worked as part of a team. What was your
    contribution? What did you like/dislike about the team environment?
    What was the outcome of the team’s work?
    * Look for signs they know their own strengths and weaknesses, and can
    empathise with others. Someone who can appreciate the benefits we
    receive from others on the team, with a wish to reciprocate.
    

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28. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Technical interview
    

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29. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    In-office visit
    

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30. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Communicate continuously
    with the candidates
    

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31. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Provide feedback to
    unsuccessful candidates
    

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32. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Develop a program
    3
    - What kind of training will be delivered?
    - What to include in the curriculum?
    - What competencies to exit with?
    - Who will be the program coordinator?
    - How will you measure and evaluate
    apprentice outcomes?
    

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33. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    How to guide
    4
    - Set realistic expectations
    - Prepare team and mentors
    - Consider on-boarding
    - Consider training
    

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34. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Define success
    5
    - Set milestones
    - Breakable toy
    - Assessment
    - Personal confidence
    - Big scary quiz
    

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35. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    My apprenticeship
    program
    

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36. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    

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37. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    

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38. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    Exercism
    

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39. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    

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40. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    Student lightning talks
    

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41. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    Student lightning talks
    Technical book club
    

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42. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    Student lightning talks
    Technical book club
    Breakable toy
    

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43. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    Student lightning talks
    Technical book club
    Breakable toy
    Fortnightly 1:1
    

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44. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    Student lightning talks
    Technical book club
    Breakable toy
    Fortnightly 1:1
    Fortnightly retros
    

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45. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    Student lightning talks
    Technical book club
    Breakable toy
    Fortnightly 1:1
    Fortnightly retros
    Mentor buddy
    

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46. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    Student lightning talks
    Technical book club
    Breakable toy
    Fortnightly 1:1
    Fortnightly retros
    Mentor buddy
    Team sessions
    

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47. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    Student lightning talks
    Technical book club
    Breakable toy
    Fortnightly 1:1
    Fortnightly retros
    Mentor buddy
    Team sessions
    Team rotations
    

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48. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    Pairing
    GRR
    Exercism
    Student lightning talks
    Technical book club
    Breakable toy
    Fortnightly 1:1
    Fortnightly retros
    Mentor buddy
    Team sessions
    Team rotations
    Placements
    

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49. ELLE MEREDITH ‛ @AEMEREDITH ‛ BLACKMILL.CO
    So why not start
    an apprenticeship
    program today?
    

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50. THANK
    YOU
    ELLE MEREDITH
    

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