CLEVELAND — “This was like the best experience that anybody could ever ask for,” explains Randy Banks a new software engineer.
We first meet Randy Banks at the start of his IT apprenticeship with the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Now, he’s graduating and continuing his career.
“This is something that Cleveland has been working towards for a long time. You know, there is a new pathway, a new way into tech,” said Banks.
That pathway is the Equitable Registered Apprenticeship Hub run by GCP thanks to a $5.8 million-dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
“This opportunity has allowed me to look at myself differently,” Banks told the room with future apprentices and employers. “I've actually had the opportunity to be that light for other individuals to see what I'm doing.”
Banks has inspired the next class of apprentices, like Corey Cargill who is working for Medical Mutual.
“I never really felt like I was fully maximizing my capabilities,” said software engineer Corey Cargill “But, in this role, I've been able to feel like challenged, and I've really enjoyed that so far.”
New to the hub, the chance to work in Human Resources, in addition to IT. Twenty-three new apprentices are beginning their journey.
“Ultimately, I would love to create my own application and be successful with that. Right now, I'm just working on improving my skills and getting the real-world experience,” said Cargill.
“We had high hopes for the program coming into it, but honestly, these apprentices have just far exceeded all of our expectations,” said Merabeth Martin, the Chief People Officer & President of Interapt.
And employers, like CASE Western Reserve University are benefiting from this new approach.
“To be blunt, we needed people. We had trouble getting enough people, especially coming out of COVID. In IT we had a lot of issues bringing in talent,” said the CIO of CASE Western Reserve University, Miro Humer.
A four-year degree is out of reach for some, leaving too much talent untapped. And what has worked traditionally for trade jobs has now adapted to include other fields. It was signing day for future employers adding 12 new programs to the Apprentice Hub. And more are expected next year.
“We wanted to create registered apprenticeships for places like information technology, health care, hospitality, insurance, finance and real estate to provide that same level of access,” said Mike Glavin, the VP of Talent for the Greater Cleveland Partnership.
Success means businesses must find talent in new ways.
“What it means for the region is, quite frankly, a culture change. To be honest, in the way that we grow talent,” said Glavin
Custom building the pathway to the most in-demand high paying careers.
“I'm crazy enough to believe that we will see it across the nation,” stated Martin. “Every community needs what we're building right here in Cleveland.”