The IBM Apprenticeship Gateway is an IBM intranet platform specifically created for active apprentices, mentors, and managers. The Apprenticeship Gateway provides three distinct journeys under the apprenticeship program: Apprentice, Manager, and Mentor.
Apprentice Toolkit
The IBM apprenticeship toolkit provides quick access to learning opportunities and relevant resources through the Apprenticeship Skills LaunchPad and Competency Tracking Database.
Skills LaunchPad
For each of the 20+ IBM Registered Apprenticeship Roles the Skills LaunchPad intranet landing page provides two distinct learning pathways for each apprentice:
1) Professional Skills Odyssey, which provides learning activities on “Getting Started at IBM,” “Ways of Thinking,” “Ways of Working,” and “Design and Thinking Agile Practices.”
2) Technical Skills Odyssey, which provides the related technical instruction (RTI) journey associated with each apprenticeship role that each apprentice must successfully complete to finish the apprentice program.
Competency Tracking Database
The competency tracking database provides each apprentice with an easy way to track the completion of each skill/competencies and work processes defined in each apprenticeship role framework. The apprentice provides evidence (observation, questions and answers, learner products, assignments, projects, case studies and/or recognition of prior learning) that shows the apprentice has mastered each skill/competency associated with their respective apprentice job role. The apprentice also has an opportunity to provide comments and documentation that show the apprentice has mastered each skill/competency. This information is then sent to the apprentice mentor/manager for review and approval.
Mentor/Manager Database
Mentors are essential to the IBM Apprenticeship Program. Mentors engage and guide apprentices in their on-the-job and experiential learning and monitor progress towards competency achievement. Mentors serve as a “culture coach” by helping apprentices navigate the team, the IBM site, and company culture. Mentors and managers actively engage with each apprentice on their apprenticeship journey and have visibility/tracking of the apprentices’ journey as they complete the related technical instruction learning activities and document each skill/competency that is attained. The mentor/manager provides feedback to the apprentice through the apprentice database and approves each competency achievement and/or provides guidance and direction if further skill attainment or evidence in required. Mentors/managers also use the database tool to document their time and support activates for each apprentice.
Program Execution Outline
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