Category: About Franklin Apprenticeships

Celebrating 1000+ Participants served with Tech Quest

Franklin Apprenticeships and Tech Quest Apprenticeship celebrated serving over 1000 apprenticeship and pre-apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week 2022.

“We’re proud to collaborate with Tech Quest to offer these life-changing pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs which are expanding the tech talent pool nationwide,” says Kimberly Nichols, CEO, and founder of Franklin Apprenticeships. “It’s inspiring to see the growth these individuals have made both personally and professionally.”

Read here.

Franklin Certified as Women-Owned Small Business

(Baltimore – December 14, 2022) – Franklin Apprenticeships, the national tech apprenticeship company, today announced certification from the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce as a USWCC Federal: Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB). The certification is awarded to United States small businesses that are at least 51% owned and managed by women.  

“Expanding the diversity of the American workforce has been at the heart of Franklin’s mission from the very beginning,” said Kimberly Nichols, CEO and Founder of Franklin Apprenticeships. “We are delighted to receive this certification and support the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce as champions for women-owned small businesses nationwide.” 

Nichols founded Franklin in 2016, building on two decades of experience in business development as a CPA and finance leader in Fortune 1000 companies. Franklin’s Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Jackie Griffin, is also a senior executive with extensive experience in large corporations in the Insurance and Financial Services industry.  

Through their leadership, Franklin has grown into a thriving small business, serving a client list of more than 25 Fortune 500 and large corporations, and helping individuals nationwide to build foundational technology skills through training and tech apprenticeship programs.  

“Our driving motivation has always been twofold,” explained Griffin. “To open a new way for people from underrepresented communities to launch rewarding tech careers while also solving an urgent business need to recruit and retain diverse talent.”   

By removing the requirements for college degrees and prior experience in tech, Franklin has supported thousands of people from all different backgrounds to launch tech careers. Franklin’s candidate pool is comprised of 34% women, much higher than the industry average for the occupations Franklin offers, including cybersecurity, help desk, IBM Z, software engineering and network engineering. Many of these candidates choose Franklin because of the support the company provides to women who are changing careers and juggling caregiving responsibilities. 

In addition to women founders, Franklin’s leadership team is nearly two-thirds female and the company is dedicated to being an inclusive employer. 

 “A diverse team generates more creativity, more debate, and ultimately better decision-making,” Nichols declared. “Diversity is not a nice to have, it is a business imperative.” 

Franklin Success Coaches Featured on Forbes

Franklin Apprenticeships Success Coaches, Marlon Carcamo, Britt Launius, and Cable Rose were recently featured in a article by Forbes contributor, Michael Arthur, on Forbes.com.

“The article introduces three success coaches, all employed by Franklin Apprenticeships, a pioneer in the US apprenticeship space. It provides examples of the range of interactions a success coach can have with their clients. It further describes the kinds of support a success coach needs in order to be effective.”

Read here.

Franklin Apprenticeships Unveils New Podcast

(Baltimore – November 21, 2022) – Franklin Apprenticeships today announced a new podcast about tech apprenticeships and early careers called, Frankly Speaking – Adventures in Tech Apprenticeships. The publication of the first three episodes came during National Apprenticeship Week, which ran November 14-18, 2022. 

Frankly Speaking gives listeners a behind-the-scenes view from the real people and organizations that are building tech skills on-the-job with apprenticeships and trailblazing a new way to develop America’s tech talent pool. Episodes are available on Franklin’s website and on major streaming services including Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. 

“Tech apprenticeships are transforming lives and filling critical skills gaps nationwide, but they are still a relatively new concept in the United States,” says Kimberly Nichols, CEO and Founder of Franklin Apprenticeships. “We are on a mission to make tech apprenticeships as well-known as computer science degrees. That’s what this podcast is all about – providing a platform for our hardworking apprentices, dedicated employer clients and exceptional partners to tell their stories and share their experiences.”  

Hosted by Franklin Apprenticeships Professional Success Coach, Cable Rose, Frankly Speaking guests include employers, apprentices, success coaches, and industry leaders who are involved with tech apprenticeship programs. “Every day as a Professional Success Coach, I get to see moments of gold working with apprentices, managers, and tech leaders,” says Rose. “I am excited to share these stories and adventures, and let everyone across America know that apprenticeships are another path for people who want to jump into a tech career and great way for companies to build exceptional tech teams.” 

The first episode, Building Tech Talent for the Long Term, features Angie Voght, HR Manager, Black Knight Inc. She manages the IBM Z Apprenticeship program and sees it as a long-term solution to fill critical roles in the company’s tech team.  

Voght explains, “When you’re combining those technical skills with refined soft skills in professionalism, it’s really a manager’s dream.” 

The second episode features Oscar H., an IBM Z Apprentice in M&T Bank’s Z Development Program (ZDP) in Buffalo, NY. Oscar, a former youth worker for a detention center, describes how his apprenticeship changed his life in the episode called, The Turning Table. In 2020, M&T Bank launched its ZDP tech apprenticeship in collaboration with IBM, Franklin Apprenticeships, and The Urban Institute to expand access to tech careers for people with little to no technology experience. With a special focus on recruiting candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities in technology, M&T has recently welcomed its third cohort of IBM Z Apprentices. 

“My apprenticeship was literally the turning table for my life and never in a million years would I have thought that I would be here,” Oscar says. 

The third episode, The Truth Behind “Potential Unlocked,” explores the views of Tim Fry, Professional Success Coach and Veteran Outreach Manager for Franklin Apprenticeships. Tim is a veteran of the United States Air Force who holds the distinction of being the first graduate in the United States of the Professional Success Coach Registered Apprenticeship. Tim talks about his transition from the military and his role in helping apprentices reach their potential. 

“Unlocking your potential is easy to say,” says Fry. “But in reality, you have to challenge yourself and become vulnerable.” 

National Apprenticeship Week focused on highlighting the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships in the United States. The podcast is part of Franklin’s commitment to championing Registered Apprenticeship Programs as an official Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador. 

“Need another reason to listen?” says Rose. “Check out the new podcast trailer here.” 

About Franklin Apprenticeships  

Franklin Apprenticeships is a women-owned company that helps employers fill mission-critical tech roles with undiscovered, diverse talent. By removing the barriers of a college degree and prior experience, Franklin finds outstanding candidates from all walks of life with an aptitude for tech, helps them to become job-ready, and matches them with employers. Franklin’s Professional Success Coaches support them and their employers every step of the way through “earn and learn” apprenticeship programs.   

Franklin unlocks the potential within people and organizations. Franklin’s employers report their apprentices are 80% productive within six months, and 100% competent by the end of their apprenticeships. Franklin offers apprenticeship occupations for the most in-demand tech roles, including cybersecurity, helpdesk, IBM Z, software engineering and network engineering. Learn more at www.franklinapprenticeships.com.  

About National Apprenticeship Week 

National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration where industry, labor, equity, workforce, education, and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for re-building our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities. NAW is an opportunity to highlight how Registered Apprenticeship, a proven and industry-driven training model, provides a critical talent pipeline that can help to address some of our nation’s pressing workforce challenges such as rebuilding our country’s infrastructure, addressing critical supply chain demands, supporting a clean energy workforce, modernizing our cybersecurity response, and responding to care economy issues. Read more at  https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week  

VR Workforce Studio Podcast Hosts Black Knight Inc. Apprenticeship Graduate, Chris W.

“I realized I hit a stopping point after my disability where I felt like I couldn’t train myself anymore, so I needed outside help, I needed an instructor, I needed people that were going down the same path.”

The VR Workforce Studio Podcast recently hosted IBM Z Apprenticeship graduate, Chris W. from Black Knight as part of National Apprenticeship Week alongside our partner Debby Hopkins from Appteon Inc.

Chris shared his experience with overcoming several obstacles, including a disability that left him unable to continue his career as a truck driver, and to pursue a career in IT through an apprenticeship.

Listen here >> https://bit.ly/3zJBZVv

Franklin Apprenticeships featured on Bank Director Magazine

Franklin Apprenticeships was recently featured on BankDirector.com in an article about how apprenticeship programs are combatting the labor shortage, particularly in the tech industry. The United States tech industry is experiencing continual labor shortages and has companies seeking alternative hiring pipelines.

Kim Nichols, CEO and Founder of Franklin Apprenticeships was quoted, “We widen the talent pool,” Nichols says. “We screen people in instead of screening them out. No experience is needed; no college degree.”

Read the full article here.

7 Pieces Of Early Career Advice

Franklin Apprenticeships’ CEO and Founder, Kim Nichols, recently authored an article with some great advice for individuals starting their careers.

“Having the patience to learn and grow in a career is important. It takes time to get where you hope to be and skipping steps won’t help you in the long run,” wrote Kim.

Read the full article here.

Buffalo News Celebrates IBM Z Apprenticeship Graduates

A recent Buffalo News article featured the graduation of the first cohort of Franklin’s IBM Z ® Apprentices at M&T Bank in Buffalo, N.Y.

The article explains that, “M&T Bank’s Gary Fusco was dressed in a cap and gown, on a stage, flanked by graduation-themed balloons. The pomp and circumstance at M&T’s Tech Hub was for the seven people seated in the first row.”

River M., one of the graduates, was quoted about the program, explaining, “It’s very mentally stimulating, which is exactly what I need in my work… It’s rewarding, very rewarding.'”

Read the full article here.

Franklin Apprenticeships Recognized as DOL Apprenticeship Ambassador

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded Franklin Apprenticeships the status of an official Apprenticeship Ambassador, thanks to the company’s track record and continued commitment to advocate for the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities nationwide. 

Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh announced the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative during Apprenticeship Week 2021, which was designed to create a collective of organizations and workforce leaders involved in industry, labor, education and equity. These individuals and organizations will partner with the DOL’s Office of Apprenticeship for the promotion of Registered Apprenticeships in high-demand industries, such as technology. 

“Even though apprenticeship programs are helping employers nationwide to find and retain diverse, committed, passionate talent, the awareness and understanding of what apprenticeship are and how they work is still very low in the United States,” says Kimberly Nichols, Founder and CEO of Franklin Apprenticeships. “We are thrilled to be part of this DOL initiative and applaud the continued leadership from the Office of Apprenticeships to help spread the word about the value of apprenticeships for individuals, businesses and the economy as a whole.”  

Apprenticeship Ambassadors have committed to hosting 3,367 outreach and recruitment activities and developing 460 new Registered Apprenticeship programs in their first year of this initiative.  

“The inaugural group of Apprenticeship Ambassadors consists of diverse partners from multiple industries who have demonstrated a willingness to use their Registered Apprenticeship experience and expertise to promote and expand these programs across all industries,” explains the DOL press release.  

Franklin’s Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Programs currently include Cybersecurity, Helpdesk, IBM Z ®, Network Engineering, and Software Engineering.  There is an accelerating demand from employers for Franklin’s job ready, pre-apprentice graduates as many companies are increasingly turning to apprenticeships as a tool for building their own pipeline of tech talent given the high demand for people with these skills. 

Read more from the DOL about the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative here: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20220712 

Franklin Apprenticeships joins Forbes Business Council

Forbes Business Council Is an Invitation-Only Community for Successful Business Owners and Leaders. 

Kimberly Nichols, CEO and Founder of Franklin Apprenticeships, has been accepted into the Forbes Business Council, the foremost growth and networking organization for successful business owners and leaders worldwide. 

Nichols was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of her experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. 

“We are honored to welcome Kim and Franklin Apprenticeships into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Business Council. “Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.” 

As an accepted member of the Council, Nichols will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum and at members-only events. Nichols will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share her expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. 

“After two decades of working with large companies in accounting and finance as a CPA, I made the jump into entrepreneurship because I simply couldn’t shake the conviction that America needed professional apprenticeships in a big way,” explains Nichols. “Five years into our journey, Franklin is a thriving women-owned business that’s helping companies grow and individuals to begin life-changing careers. And we’re only just getting started. That’s why I’m honored to join Forbes Business Council to share what we’ve learned but also connect and learn from the other members.”

ABOUT FRANKLIN APPRENTICESHIPS 

Franklin Apprenticeships helps employers fill mission-critical tech roles with undiscovered, diverse talent. By removing the barriers of a college degree and prior experience, Franklin connects outstanding candidates with top employers. Franklin unlocks potential within people and organizations. Franklin’s employers report their apprentices are 80% productive in six months, and 100% competent by the end of their apprenticeships.  To learn more, visit www.franklin.ainsleystaging.com.  

ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS 

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com.