From Nov. 13 to Nov. 19, hundreds of employers, community-based organizations, education providers, and more celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) by hosting events to showcase the successes and value of professional apprenticeships.
As a founding member of the Michigan Apprentice Network (MiAN) – formerly known as the Detroit New Apprentice (DNA) Network – the Detroit Regional Chamber is one of the many organizations celebrating NAW. It is publishing a week-long content series, spotlighting MiAN member companies that host apprenticeship programs and celebrating the impact they have as a talent solution on filling high-growth and high-demand roles.
Below is the Chamber’s first spotlight with Aptiv.
Aptiv, a global technology company that develops safer, greener, and more connected solutions that enable the future of mobility, is a founding member of the Michigan Apprentice Network. It started its apprenticeship program in 2021 as a two-year initiative with coding and technician roles at its office in Troy, Michigan. Its apprentices work as full-time salaried employees and are guided by a mentor.
Now starting its third cohort, Aptiv is working to expand its role footprint with apprenticeships in enterprise cybersecurity, human resources, and manufacturing and its location footprint to Warren, Ohio.
How Aptiv Got Started
Aptiv started its apprenticeship program because its leaders were inspired by the coding apprenticeships coming to fruition at big tech companies in the market. It saw apprenticeship as a great opportunity to expand its talent pool and offer its community an alternative pathway into tech careers.
Aptiv was very mindful when developing its program. It wanted to ensure accessibility so those who traditionally may not have an opportunity to get trained in the tech field could participate. To ensure this occurred, Aptive offered transportation assistance as part of the program to eliminate barriers for individuals in underserved communities. It also worked with science, technology, engineering, and math organizations to connect with individuals who have a passion for innovation but need a college degree.
Despite the program being a bit challenging to start, Aptiv shared it was able to successfully launch it and is now working to expand it with support and advice from other members of MiAN. With their guidance, Aptiv has built a thriving program that benefits both the apprentices and the company. Some of the main benefits Aptiv shared are the energy and diverse backgrounds the apprentices bring to the table, which is invaluable when designing tech products.
Aptiv’s Advice for Starting Your Own Apprenticeship Programs
For companies looking to get started with apprenticeships, Aptiv shares that having a general support structure in place and training partners, such as internal mentors and external tech boot camps, is critical to a company’s apprentices’ success.
Learn more about apprenticeships and how your organization can start a program via the Chamber’s Workforce Success Toolkit.