Program Overview
DCHR's goal is to allow Career Pathways candidates to become exposed to information technology and health care administration curricula through training instruction, on-the-job rotation, and professional development. The Apprenticeship Program will establish a base foundation for training and employment in information technology and health care administration industries to those who may not be aware of the great career opportunities. By developing a talent pool based in the District of Columbia, DCHR's ability to recruit more citizens of the District of Columbia will significantly increase. The Apprenticeship Program will create new talent resources with the requisite knowledge to become competent Information Technology Support Assistants and Medicaid Support Assistants. Upon completing a two-year Apprenticeship Program, the apprentices will be well prepared with the required workforce skills as qualified Information Technology Support Assistants and Medicaid Support Assistants with District government agencies.
The goals of the Apprenticeship Program are:
- Generate broader career interests and promote opportunities in information technology and health care administration.
- Meet the Pathways to District Government Careers Amendment Act of 2018's goal of expanding the number and range of jobs and ensure access to District government entry-level positions through appropriate skills training.
- Utilize vast experience and expertise of DCHR, DPR, DHCF leadership, management, and subject matter experts to train and develop highly skilled apprentices who, with the combination of two-year on-the-job learning and classroom training, will become highly qualified for entry-level positions.
Program Components
The Apprenticeship Programs include:
- The Information Technology Support Assistant apprentices will work within DPR - delivering front line support to managers and employees by supporting efforts to develop, implement, and maintain the agency's IT and telecommunications infrastructure; develop agency-wide applications; establish and oversee the information enterprise infrastructure, and advise the agency on technology solutions to improve service delivery. This program is for Friendship Collegiate PCS graduates only.
- The Information Technology Support Assistant apprentices will be working within DHCF delivering front line support to managers and employees by supporting efforts to develop, implement, and maintain the agency's IT and telecommunications infrastructure; develop agency-wide applications; establish and oversee the information enterprise infrastructure, and advise the agency on technology solutions to improve service delivery. This program is open to all District residents with a diploma or its equivalent from a D.C. Public High School, D.C. Public Charter School or the District of Columbia.
- The Medicaid Program Support Assistant apprentices will work within DHCF, delivering front line support to managers and employees. The apprentices' work will include handling day to day queries and providing Medicaid advice; working on a range of Medicaid policies; and providing a reasonable and consistent system of oversight of the Medicaid program which effectively encourages compliance accountability, protection of public funds and payments made in the correct amount for covered services. This program is open to all District residents with a diploma or its equivalent from a D.C. Public High School, D.C. Public Charter School or the District of Columbia.
Structure of the Career Pathways and Apprenticeship Program
Each apprentice will receive formal and informal training on office norms for their respective program. All apprentices will be required to participate in pre-assessment testing to identify the apprentice's preexisting skill sets. The pre-assessment will serve to provide insight into where each apprentice would fit best, with the intent to support the apprentice's effectiveness on the job and general happiness on the job, as apprentices leverage skills they already obtained.
The apprenticeship program coordinator will ensure that all apprentices receive information about the program's overall standards and expectations of their job performance as part of the onboarding process.
Related Technical Instruction and Classroom Training
Classroom Training will supplement the apprentice's On-the-Job-Training. DCHR anticipates that the skills the apprentices will learn on the job will be helpful to their performance in the classroom and that each apprentice will find parallels in lessons learned.
Mentoring and Coaching
In all apprenticeship programs, mentoring will be a key element to achieving programmatic success. The Dean of City University or their proxy will assign each apprentice a mentor or a group of mentors who will be integral to ensuring their success and growth on the job. The mentor's role is to provide equal guidance and support to an apprentice that is new to the professional setting.
Coaching is designed to foster the apprentice's continual learning and self-development. The coaching relationship will focus on positive performance possibilities and the development of social and emotional intelligence. Coaching will focus on recognizing one's feelings and those of others and for motivating oneself. The relationship between the coach and the apprentice must be respect, trust, and freedom of expression. The coaching dialogue includes developing the apprentice's potential to achieve essential and meaningful performance objectives, resulting in the long term, excellent performance, self-correction, and self-generation.
Program Participants & Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Requirements
| Age: | 18 and over |
| Education: | A high school graduate of District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) or District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) or have received a GED or its equivalent from the District of Columbia. Applicants must furnish DCHR with documentation showing proof of graduation or a District of Columbia issued GED certificate or its equivalent. |
| Experience: | Prior work experience in information technology or closely related field is preferred but not required |
| Residency: | Must be a District resident |
| Physical Ability: | Must be physically able to perform the duties of the occupation or trade |
| Testing: | Successfully pass written and/or oral exams on fundamental reading, writing, general math, and critical thinking as administered by DCHR or the relevant education/training provider. The applicant must possess the prerequisite basic reading, writing, math, and communication skills. |
| Skills: | Strong verbal and written communication skills, computer skills |
| Suitability: | Must pass pre-employment criminal background check; pre-employment drug and alcohol test. |