Category: About Franklin Apprenticeships

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.franklinapprenticeships.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. 

The “Franklin” in “Franklin Apprenticeships”

Apprenticeships: The Learning Supermind Approach for Upskilling Employees Are You One of the Many That Do This Wrong?

Solving the IoT Skills Gap, One Apprentice at a Time

New Podcast Series Announcement: Navigating Your Road Forward as an AutoMOtive! Apprentice

This month, Franklin Apprenticeships will be releasing a new podcast series to help dislocated workers in the State of Missouri learn about the opportunities available as a modern apprentice in the automotive industry.

We understand that downsizing and layoffs were never a part of your plan. And now, as a worker making a mid-career transition, you want to find the right opportunity to excel in a stable position and earn a comfortable living without going into massive debt.

Missouri AutoMOtive! is a partnership between the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and our company that will put you on the fast track to becoming a certified Automotive Service Technician in a year (or less).

But, we realize you may have a lot of questions about this apprenticeship. Is this a good opportunity for me (and my family)? Why the automotive industry? Is this program for real? What can I expect? How do I enroll?

Our new podcast series will explore everything you need to know about life as a Franklin AutoMOtive! apprentice. We will help navigate your questions about our program, the industry, and what to expect. For example, our first few episodes will cover topics such as:

• Reasons to consider an automotive apprenticeship
• What a typical day may look like for you earning and learning as an apprentice
• The process behind being matched with your ideal employer

 Our program might seem too good to be true, but it’s real, and it’s a great opportunity if you’re a dislocated worker in the State.

So keep an eye (and ear) out for our upcoming episodes to jump start your fresh, new career! Or, contact us to shift your search for a brand new career into high gear today.

PODCAST: Frank Valdivieso, President & CEO of Gryphon Consulting Discusses the Value of the New Digital Apprenticeships Program in Maryland June 11

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For the inaugural “Changing the American Workforce” podcast interview, Frank Valdivieso, President and CEO of Gryphon Consulting, discusses why he chose to be one of the first employers to participate in our new Digital Apprenticeship program in Maryland.

The shortage of skilled tech workers is a significant problem for Maryland business owners. Finding qualified candidates with the appropriate mix of company-specific skills and cutting-edge training on the technologies being used today has become a top IT workforce challenge.  

To address this issue, Franklin Apprenticeships recently announced that we have partnered with the Maryland Department of Labor to develop a Digital Apprenticeship program for the state. Our new program provides high quality, long-term employees for Maryland employers.

Gryphon Consulting, an IT services company that specializes in helping small and medium-sized businesses effectively deploy and leverage technology in their organizations, is an inaugural employer of our innovative apprenticeship program.

In this podcast interview, Frank Valdivieso, President and CEO of Gryphon Consulting, and President of the DC Chapter of the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP), discusses how our Digital Apprenticeship program will enhance his overall business success.

Our podcast provides insights into the following key topics:

•      An overview of Gryphon Consulting, and the IT services the company provides. (.35)
•      The top workforce challenges the IT sector faces today. (1.34)
•      How modern apprenticeships can help solve employer challenges. (2.34)
•      Why Gryphon Consulting joined the program. (4.45)
•      What Gryphon Consulting hopes to achieve through the program. (6.28)

Discover how Franklin Digital can help build your IT workforce by visiting our program page here. Or, contact us to discuss starting a modern apprenticeship program in your company.

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Baltimore Business Journal Highlights New Partnership Between Franklin Apprenticeships and the State of Maryland

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This Monday, Franklin Apprenticeships officially announced that is has partnered with the State of Maryland to provide local employers with a solution to their lack of qualified applicants in the IT arena – where the demand for tech workers is projected to be among the fastest growing.

The Baltimore Business Journal covered the news, and highlighted how the shortage of skilled tech workers is a significant problem in the U.S., with hundreds of thousands of unfilled cyber positions at firms across the country. It was also noted that Franklin Apprenticeships is initially delivering an IT help desk program in Maryland, and plans to soon offer training for network engineers and cybersecurity specialists as well.

As quoted by Kim Nichols, Franklin Apprenticeships will launch the first apprenticeship cohort in July – with new cohorts being added each month. Groups of 50 apprentices will also be designated a “success coach,” who will monitor each apprentice’s progress as they work through the education and job training sessions.

Nichols said the IT help desk program will act as a pilot for Maryland companies to become more familiar with the concept of apprenticeships, while training employees for an important but relatively low-risk position.

“We see this as a great opportunity to build a skilled pipeline. We hear from lots of employers all the time who are struggling to find talent,” Nichols told the Baltimore Business Journal. “This way, they may have to be open to bringing someone in who may not have all the skills they’re looking for, but though an apprenticeship program can be trained up to meet their needs.”

Click here to read the press release and here for the full article.

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