Exploring Web Development Apprenticeships: Learning and Earning Opportunities

Apprenticeships offer an excellent way to learn and practice skills in a wide range of industries. As a college graduate, bootcamp graduate, or web development enthusiast, you can apply for web development apprenticeships and work with professionals to gain real-life experience while getting paid. In addition, completing a web developer apprenticeship is a great way to begin your career path in the tech industry with little or no experience. 

In this article, you will learn about web development apprenticeship programs, available jobs, and salaries. Additionally, you’ll learn about the different types of apprenticeships and how they differ from internships, vocational schools, and bootcamps. Discover how to become a web developer apprentice below.

Key Takeaways

• Web development apprenticeships are particularly beneficial for college graduates, bootcamp graduates, and enthusiasts with limited experience. These programs allow individuals to kick-start their careers in the tech industry.
• Apprenticeships offer a practical approach to learning and practicing skills across various industries. Web developer apprenticeships provide an opportunity to gain real-world experience while getting paid.
• During a web development apprenticeship, participants develop skills, enhance their portfolios, and receive salaries while working under the guidance of experienced professionals.
• Apprenticeships differ from internships in duration, focus, and payment. Development apprenticeships are more structured and often span several years. They are aimed at skill mastery and often result in full-time roles.
• Various web developer apprenticeship programs cater to different skills and career aspirations, including roles such as web application developer, full stack web developer, front end web developer, backend web developer, and web-based game developer.
• Web development apprenticeship requirements vary by company. While some programs require basic programming skills and web development experience, others welcome candidates with different levels of expertise.

What Is a Web Developer Apprenticeship?

A web development apprenticeship is a subcategory of information technology apprenticeship that allows new and experienced web developers to learn on the job while getting paid. Throughout the program, apprentices get to develop relevant skills, build their professional portfolios, and receive a salary at the same time. 

Apprenticeships are popular among bootcamp graduates, online course graduates, and sometimes college graduates. Throughout a web development apprenticeship, apprentices are trained and supervised by the team lead. These programs often result in permanent employment, as companies often offer full-time positions to apprentices upon completing the program. 

What Does a Web Developer Apprentice Do?

As a web developer apprentice, you will perform the duties of a professional web developer with the exception of leading a project. You will work with the team to research, build, and design websites for company clients. You will also create test applications for websites, maintain clients’ websites, and monitor website traffic.

While working as a web developer apprentice, you will learn more about the professional field and further refine your skills. With this, you will learn how to tackle common web development problems.

Web Development Apprenticeship vs Internship: What’s the Difference? 

There are several key differences between web development apprenticeships and internships. Perhaps the most noteworthy is that apprenticeships last significantly longer than internship programs and can span several years. In addition, a web developer apprentice is always paid for their work, while many interns hold unpaid positions.

Overall, web developer apprenticeship programs are much more focused than internship opportunities. Apprentice jobs are geared toward mastering specific skills and often result in full-time employment. Lastly, apprenticeships often lead to employees earning an industry credential or certification. 

Types of Web Development Apprenticeships

There are different types of web development apprenticeship programs you can pursue, depending on what skills you want to learn. You should also consider your career aspirations when choosing an apprenticeship program. Listed below are some of the most popular web developer apprenticeships to consider. 

Web Application Developer

A web application developer is in charge of the building, designing, testing, monitoring, and maintenance of web applications. These applications are used to solve users’ problems and provide a positive user experience. As a web application developer apprentice, you will work with professionals to design applications and release regular updates to solve problems. 

Full Stack Web Developer

As a full stack web developer apprentice, you will build, design, and maintain websites for clients. You will be responsible for the appearance, speed, and traffic of the website. You will ensure that the website provides an excellent user experience and serves the company’s purpose. While you may not single-handedly handle the entire web development, you will be a part of the team that oversees every aspect of the site.

Front End Web Developer

Front end web developers are professionals who plan and build the design and layout of a website or web page. As a front end apprentice, you will work to ensure that the website’s pictures, graphics, and applications are in excellent condition and will serve their purpose on the website. In addition, you will ensure that the website is easy to access and use, which may include optimizing the speed and overall functionality of the site.

Backend Web Developer

A backend web developer is typically a coding expert who programs and maintains the server side of a website. This may include building the structure of a website from scratch or restructuring an existing website. In addition, backend developers write the code that tells websites how to collect, process, and store data.

Web-Based Game Developer

A web-based game developer gets to use their creativity as well as their programming skills. These professionals plan, create, and test web-based or online games. This position may include writing the code for these programs, testing the game’s functionality, and optimizing graphics performance.  

Web Developer Apprenticeship Jobs

Companies in various industries offer web developer apprenticeship jobs, especially those in the tech industry. You can join web development apprenticeship programs to gain on-the-job training, build your portfolio, and earn a salary. Below are some of the web development apprenticeship jobs you might want to consider applying for. 

LaunchCode Apprenticeship Program

LaunchCode is a nonprofit organization that aims to help deserving people start rewarding careers in tech. They offer tech education, help people land full-time jobs, and help companies hire experts. The software developer apprentice program is for US candidates who are passionate about succeeding in tech.

Students should be skilled in relevant web development programming languages like Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, C#, .Net, Swift for iOS apps, C or C++, and Ruby on Rails. Hired apprentices enjoy a full-time paid job, health insurance, mentorship from an experienced programmer, and an opportunity to fast-track the standard hiring process. 

Amazon Web Services Apprenticeship Program

Amazon Web Services is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to users, companies, and governments on a pay-as-you-go basis.

The systems engineer apprenticeship program is ideal for anyone who has served in the United States military or is a military spouse. 

They must also meet at least one of the requirements for four years of troubleshooting experience, a four-year degree in STEM fields, an associate degree or trade school certificate in STEM fields, and two years of technical expertise. They must also be comfortable working with Linux or Unix operating systems. 

Fetch Rewards Backend Engineering Apprenticeship Program

Fetch Rewards is a company that helps everyday shoppers earn rewards for their purchases. In just five years, the company has garnered 17 million monthly users. As such, it is looking to expand its team. One way Fetch Rewards is trying to do this is through apprenticeship programs 

The backend engineering apprenticeship program is a full-time opportunity that helps early-career professionals refine their skills and gain experience. Applicants should be well-versed in backend programming languages and also have experience with Git, MongoDB, MySQL, and more.

Umbrage Apprenticeship Program

Umbrage is a company out of Houston, Texas that provides enterprise software solutions. The web developer apprenticeship program Umbrage offers lasts just 12 weeks, but it covers lectures from senior engineers, an internal project, and a project for a client.

This is one of the many apprenticeship opportunities that is specifically designed for recent graduates. Applicants should have basic knowledge of technologies such as React, SQL, and more. At the end of this program, apprentices will either be offered a full-time position or given constructive feedback that will help them land their dream job in the future.  

Thunder::tech Apprenticeship Program

Thunder::tech is a marketing agency that offers services in digital marketing, advertising, communications, visual design, multimedia, and web infrastructure to clients worldwide. This apprenticeship program is for anyone with at least a high school diploma who wants to start a career in technology. 

The program will start in web programming and build up from there. Accepted candidates will get a 90-day review before starting the role full-time. Applicants do not need to have any programming experience. The apprentice web developer will participate in a self-paced program that will be organized by the development team. 

They will also partake in technology-specific training that aligns with the company goals, work with professional developers on real projects, and develop the relevant skills to excel in the field, including time management, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. At the end of the 90-day program, candidates must meet specific requirements to proceed to the leading role.

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Web Developer Apprenticeship Salary

According to Glassdoor, the average web developer apprenticeship salary is $74,690, running from a low of $55,000 to a high of $221,000. This amount will vary from company to company and is impacted by various factors.

Paid coding apprenticeships for web development are a great way to learn valuable skills while still earning a lucrative income. These opportunities offer recent graduates a way to test their knowledge and build their resumes. After you complete an apprenticeship program, you can earn a higher annual salary by becoming a full-time employee with the company. 

Web Developer Apprenticeship Requirements

The requirements for web development apprenticeships vary, primarily depending on the company. Some apprenticeship programs require candidates to have basic programming language skills and web development experience, while others require candidates to have less than a bachelor’s degree with minimal experience. 

Professionals at various levels can find apprenticeship openings that suit their current skillset. However, there are some traits that nearly all web development apprenticeships require. Learn more about how to land an apprenticeship opportunity below.

How to Get a Web Development Apprenticeship

The most practical way of getting a web development apprenticeship is by applying to the company directly. However, other means of getting an apprenticeship could also increase your chances of landing the role. Some of those options are bootcamps, internships, trade schools, and vocational training. Learn more about how to get a web development apprenticeship through these various paths below. 

Bootcamps

Coding bootcamps offer fast-paced, intensive programs to train students in a specific skill and prepare them for a career in a field. In addition, many coding bootcamps partner with several companies to help their students secure jobs after completing their programs and provide the companies with needed professionals. If you are interested in getting a web development apprenticeship, look into attending one of these bootcamps first:

• General Assembly | Front-End Web Development Course| 10 weeks
• Ironhack | Web Development Bootcamp | 3 months (full time); 6 months (part time)
• DevMountain | Web Development Course | 16 weeks  (full time); 24-36 weeks (part time)

Internships

Internships are programs that students participate in to complete their studies and gain on-the-job experience. Students who intern at a company can apply for apprenticeship roles at that company to enable easier access and increase their chances of securing a job. Check out these web development internships to get the ball rolling:

• Google | Student in Training in Engineering Program | 12 weeks
• Amazon | Front-End Engineer Internship| 12 weeks
• Zoom Video Communications |  Software Development Engineer | Contact Zoom for details on the length of the program

Trade Schools

Like coding bootcamps, some trade schools have partnerships with companies that offer apprenticeship roles to give their students real-world experience in the field. While in trade school, you can speak with the proper authorities about applying for an apprenticeship program with a partner company. Here are some of the trade schools that help you build web development skills:

• Pinellas Technical College | Web Development | 1,050 hours
• Community College of Philadelphia | Web Development Proficiency Certificate | Contact the institution for details on the length of the program
• Platt College | Web Development Programming and Coding | 7 months

Vocational Training

Vocational training is a way of learning the skills necessary to start a career in a field. For example, you can attend a vocational school to gain basic software development skills. With the training you earn during the program, you can apply for apprenticeships in companies. 

Some companies accept vocational training from apprentices and can be an excellent way to acquire real-life experience. Below are some of the vocational training programs aspiring web developers can join:

• ABCO Technology | Certified Internet Webmaster Career Training Program | 7 months
• Pitman Training | Web Developer Diploma | 230 hours
• OpenClassrooms | Web Developer Diploma | 6 months

Is a Web Development Apprenticeship Worth It?

If you want to gain hands-on experience, build your portfolio, and earn a good wage, a web developer apprenticeship will be worth it for you. You will work on real clients’ projects with senior experts and expand your skills in the field. These opportunities are mainly for graduates who need to gain real-life experience to land higher-level jobs. One of the reasons to choose a web development apprenticeship is to jumpstart your career.

Web Developer Apprenticeship FAQ