Workforce Readiness

Northern Virginia CC Apprenticeship Program to Train Information Technology Talent

• By Rhea Kelly
• 09/07/21

A new IT apprenticeship program at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is offering students on-the-job training in technical skills, soft skills, lab work and other IT-related skills. The program was created in partnership with AT&T and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, with the goal of expanding a pool of talent to meet the needs of AT&T's federal customers in the National Security sector.

Students in the two-year program will work as part-time AT&T employees, training at NOVA's Reston Technology Center as well as working both in-person and virtually at AT&T's Oakton, VA office. They will be trained to achieve industry certifications in A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA and ITIL. Participants will simultaneously have their background security clearances processed, sponsored by the federal government. Those who complete the program and are approved for a security clearance "are expected to transition to full-time employment at AT&T and support its work for federal agencies," according to a news announcement.

"Information technology jobs in our region are projected to grow, on average, 1.5 percent 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 president of strategy, research and workforce innovation at Northern Virginia Community College, 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."

Participants in the program must be at least 18 years old, American citizens and Virginia residents. Applications are being accepted until Sept. 23, with classes beginning in January 2022. For more information, visit NOVA's Career Services site.