14 Apprenticeship Programs like Microsoft LEAP for Bootcamp Grads

Table of Contents

• What is an Apprenticeship?
• What are other programs like Microsoft LEAP?

Are you looking for a job after graduating from a bootcamp? If you want the mentorship experience you had at bootcamp while growing your skills on the job, consider working with a bridge organization or apprenticeship program. Both types of programs offer the opportunity to earn a living while gaining valuable mentoring and training. Programs like Microsoft Leap and LinkedIn REACH are some of the most popular tech apprenticeships, but there are 13 other programs that will help you get relevant software engineering experience.

What is an Apprenticeship?

What is an apprenticeship? It’s safe to say you won’t be getting coffee. It’s similar to an extended bootcamp. You’ll spend the bulk of your time working through projects alongside seasoned developers and other apprentices. A dedicated mentor will work with you, providing guidance and instruction on areas of challenge or weakness.

If you’ve graduated bootcamp and aren’t quite sure of your next step, consider working with a bridge organization to find an apprenticeship or applying directly to an in-house apprenticeship program.

What are other programs like Microsoft LEAP?

Microsoft LEAP is a super popular apprenticeship program; but there are other programs like Microsoft Leap, including LinkedIn's REACH Apprenticeship Program, Amazon's Technical Apprenticeship Program, and IBM's New Collar. Here are 8 other in-house apprenticeship programs like Microsoft LEAP...

10 In-house Apprenticeships

There are several companies that have targeted apprenticeship programs designed to help you learn and grow on the job. The apprenticeship programs we’ve sourced below are all paid apprenticeship and, unlike a bootcamp, require no fees or costs to participate.

1. Microsoft LEAP (Redmond, WA)

The LEAP Engineering Acceleration Program is a 16-week, immersive program to give aspiring developers real-world experience. Participants will learn through traditional classroom learning, and through working on hands-on projects. The LEAP program was created by Microsoft as an alternative way to source diverse talent of all backgrounds, that may otherwise be overlooked. Find out how Rob got accepted to Microsoft LEAP after graduating from Sabio. And find out more about the Microsoft LEAP application process in our interview with Yolanda Natal-Santos, Senior Business Program Manager at Microsoft LEAP.  

2. LinkedIn REACH (global)

LinkedIn REACH is a technical apprenticeship program that focuses on bridging the opportunity gap for individuals from non-traditional backgrounds. The apprenticeship lasts for a minimum of one year, and no longer than five years. REACH apprentices are full-time employees at LinkedIn with benefits and perks, and apprentices enjoy being part of a cohort that meets frequently and grows together. LinkedIn REACH is seeking candidates from nontraditional backgrounds, bootcamp graduates, self-taught technologists, career changers, and those looking to re-enter the workforce. Find out how Moshood got into the LinkedIn REACH program after graduating from Springboard.

3. Amazon Technical Apprenticeship (global)

This apprenticeship was established in 2017 for military veterans and their spouses who have graduated from coding bootcamps with the intention of launching a tech career. This apprenticeship aims to find and support talent from non-traditional coding backgrounds. Apprentices have the opportunity to be paid to learn over a period of 6-18 months while also working with AWS teams on real world projects. Amazaon Apprentices have starting salaries of over $100,000.

4. TechWise (USA)

TechWise is an 18-month, fully sponsored diversity, equity, and inclusion program offered by TalentSprint and supported by Google. In addition to learning high value technical skills through TalentSprint and expert mentorship through Google, participants will gain access to jobs, internships, and apprenticeships with Google and other leading companies. TechWise also includes masterclasses led by Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science (CMU SCS) faculty, and successful candidates will receive a certificate of completion from SCS Executive and Professional Education Team.

5. IBM New Collar (global)

IBM Apprenticeships are an entry point for candidates that don't have traditional degrees, but are willing to build their skills. This is a full-time, earn-and-learn program. The focus of the IBM apprenticeship program is to close the tech skills gap and bring new talent, regardless of educational degree, into the tech industry.

6. Apprentice.io (thoughtbot) (USA & Europe)

Apprentice.io at thoughtbot is a three-month apprenticeship program for intermediate level developers and designers seeking the opportunity to level up. In addition to working on actual thoughtbot client projects, apprentices are paired with a mentor who offers instruction and assistance with specialized tasks. Each month, the apprentice works with a new mentor and team. Following a successful apprenticeship, apprentices are promoted to a full-time position at thoughtbot or paired with other organizations.   

7. Detroit Labs (Detroit, MI)

Detroit Labs offers a three-month apprenticeship program to individuals with no formal training in software development. The program involves classroom training as well as the opportunity to work directly with developers.  In addition to participating in the apprenticeship, successful candidates are promoted to full-time positions at Detroit Labs or a partner company at the end of the program. Applicants should live in or near Detroit, Michigan or be willing to relocate at their own expense.

8. 8th Light (Online, Chicago, Los Angeles)

8th Light is a remote-first company offering a paid program where apprentices are full-time salaried employees. The program includes personalized curriculum and intense periods of both study and practice. The program offers two disciplines reflecting 8th Light's focus areas as a business: software development and software design. To match apprentices with mentors, 8th Light uses a robust matching process that includes gathering input from apprentices and allowing them to participate in selecting a mentor. Ultimately, apprentices and mentors actually choose each other based on things that are important to them. 

9. Google (multiple locations)

The Google apprenticeship is a paid with benefits opportunity for those looking to "earn as you learn." Apprentices will gain exposure to different teams and areas at Google while studying and developing their digital and professional skill sets. 

10. City Internships (global)

City Internships' Global Explorer Programs and Global Accelerator Programs consist of an 8-week internship with a leading company, a career navigator course, a future leaders course, and events with your cohort. 

1 Registered Apprenticeship Program

A Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a proven model of apprenticeship that has been validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency.

10. Creating Coding Careers (USA)

Creating Coding Careers' Tech Apprenticeship Program is registered with the US Department of Labor. Candidates complete a three month pre-apprenticeship learning phase to prepare for the DOL Registered Apprenticeship, then spend a year learning alongside experienced software engineers working on real world projects for real clients. Creating Coding Careers highly encourages applicants from all backgrounds, especially: Veterans, Women, Black, Latino, people with disabilities, neurodiverse, and LGBTQ+ to apply. 

Creating Coding Careers pays all participants $20 per hour minimum and you do not need to attend a coding bootcamp prior to getting hired into the US DOL registered apprenticeship. The free pre-apprenticeship program is remote and 100% online.

3 Bridge Organizations

Bridge organizations give coding bootcamp grads an opportunity to gain experience working on real projects so that they can apply to full-time jobs with a great portfolio of projects. Bridge organizations often offer the chance to learn new skills and coding languages on top of those learned at bootcamp.

11. LaunchCode (USA)

LaunchCode is a St. Louis-based nonprofit that matches beginning developers and data scientists with apprenticeships throughout the USA. Applicants should have one stellar project in their portfolio that demonstrates their skills. Developer apprentices need knowledge of one coding language, such as JavaScript, C#, Python, Ruby, Haskell, Scala or Clojure prior to applying. Applicants to the business intelligence (data science) track should have knowledge of a database language such as SQL or MongoDB and a scripting language such as Python or R.

The application process begins with an online application, followed by a coding challenge. Depending on the result, applicants  are referred to additional learning resources or are interviewed and introduced to their network of 300+ hiring partners. For international students, Some companies can sponsor an H1B visa, but you must be in the USA.

12. Code Ingenious (NYC)

Code Ingenious is a New York-based personalized training program which provides coding bootcamp graduates with mentoring, targeted master courses, and on-the-job support. The program’s mission is to improve students’ code quality, readability and maintainability, with a focus on JavaScript and UI. All new students are screened to review their level of expertise, then a mentor crafts targeted, personalized coursework for each student to help them improve their skills. Students work with enterprise devtools and build real-life projects to enhance their portfolios. Technologies covered include JavaScript, Angular 2.0, react.js, riot.js, and node.js. The Code Ingenious team says: “Instead of becoming a freelancer, juggling between looking for projects and learning new skills, with us, you have an option to focus on learning new technologies while we focus on developing and marketing your skills.”

13. Moove-it Mastering Ruby (Austin, TX)

Moove-it is a free 3-month mentorship program in Austin, Texas, where people with some experience and background in web development can improve their skills and gain useful experience. It is a full-time, in-person program where students work on real-life projects.The program is led by a senior developer who provides guidance and support. At the end of the program students should be able to code Ruby on Rails (RoR) web apps, understand the RoR technology stack, define clean and efficient APIs, write automated tests, and be familiarized with key tools in the agile development process. Participants are evaluated regularly through technical tests to enable them to pass to the next section of the program. Exceptional students may be offered a job at Moove-it.

How did you find a job after bootcamp? Share your tips with us in the comments!