Emerging Technology Institute (ETI) is excited to announce the registration of its Artificial Intelligence Specialist Apprenticeship Program through ApprenticeshipNC. 

The new program is ETI’s first Registered Apprenticeship. ETI registered the apprenticeship with the intention of extending and building upon the training the company already offers through its Young Innovator Internship Program.

Through a combination of paid on-the-job training and supplemental education, the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) will provide both incumbent workers and new employees with the opportunity to learn while they earn in a professional setting. 

Registered Apprenticeships give organizations a competitive edge by developing skilled workers trained to meet their exact needs while also building a sustainable workforce. ETI is the latest company in Robe son County to incorporate a RAP into their workforce development. According to the ApprenticeshipNC website, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, Southeastern Solar Contractors Association and Robeson Community College all have RAPs across various fields. 

ETI’s RAP is competency-based, meaning apprentices progress by demonstrating a mastery of specific skills, rather than by completing a set number of training hours. Apprentices will learn a variety of skills, including how to maintain computer networks, resolve network and software issues, design integrated computer systems, conduct research, test and install computer hardware and more.

ETI President James Freeman believes the program is going to be a great addition to the company. 

“What's unique about it is that we're only one of the very few that have an AI specialist approved apprenticeship. They'll go through on the job training, work on government projects with us related to AI and then also take coursework that's provided by us and our partners around the subject of AI,” shared Freeman. 

The program will be open to individuals aged 16 and older. Apprentices will be paid according to a progressive wage scale, meaning their salaries will increase as they gain more skills and knowledge. Upon program completion, apprentices will receive their Journeyworker certificate, an official credential signifying their skills mastery.

“They’ll be considered an AI subject matter expert. They can also take that apprenticeship certification and go work for Microsoft, go work for Google, whoever will find the value in that,” shared Freeman. 

Freeman shared that the importance of this program’s recognition is to be able to add another hands-on option to those who are interested in entering the technology industry, but may not be interested in, or able to access, higher education. 

“It’s a one year long program, so the hope is that they can receive a position with us at the end, or go into another industry or organization with the certification. The thing about it is, college is not for everybody. I think apprenticeships have been undervalued for many years, and I think it's the way of the future,” said Freeman. “Apprenticeships are going to be the new leading source of education for a worker. Why? It’s because they can take a one year program, learn on the job, get hands-on training and go straight to work right after the apprenticeship is complete.”

Freeman also shared that given the often individualistic nature of many jobs in the technology industry, apprenticeships provide a social aspect that many in the industry will need to succeed. 

“Individuals with technology skills need more attention and guidance into employment. They need an employment process that can help guide them, not only in the work they're doing, but to work in the atmosphere with other people, to understand what it's like to have goals and responsibilities and what it's like to work on a team. So these apprenticeship programs allow people, especially in the technology world, to learn how to operate in the business world,” said Freeman. 

ETI is planning to soft launch the program this summer by training incumbent workers including those in entry level positions. In August 2025, ETI will begin recruiting Young Innovators to take part in the RAP from across North Carolina.

“We've done over 30 plus internships in the past year, but none of them leave with anything other than experience and the things they’ve learned. Now, anybody that comes through our community, anybody that comes through our program can leave with a certification sponsored by the Department of Labor,” concluded Freeman. 

ETI is already looking into other RAP options including a drone apprenticeship and a cyber apprenticeship.