A new tech program could land participants a job with one of Nashville’s most high-profile employers.
AllianceBernstein is partnering with the Greater Nashville Technology Council, through its NTC Foundation, to pilot an apprenticeship program aimed at placing underrepresented talent in tech jobs at AB.
Program participants go through a six or 12-month tuition-free web development bootcamp through the Nashville Software School, NTC Director of Tech Talent Programs Susan Charest said. Full-time participants also receive a stipend and health care benefits.
Once the bootcamp is completed, graduates are placed in a full-time, paid apprenticeship with a mentor at AB for one year until the apprenticeship is completed, at which time they are put in permeant roles at AB.
There are five students participating in the pilot program — two full-time students, who began in November, and three part-time, who started this month.
“We look at this as a long-term talent investment,” said Allie Feiner, AB vice president and head of global technology and operations professional and organizational development. “We want to find the right people, help them get the right education and invest in them so that they want to stay and have a long-term career with us. We don’t see this as just their first job in tech. We see this as their first role with AB.”
AllianceBernstein (NYSE: AB) is one of downtown’s largest employers, with plans to bring as many as 1,250 jobs to its recently opened Fifth + Broadway headquarters.
Like most cities, diversity and underrepresentation remain issues in Nashville’s growing tech sector. Women hold 40% of the region's tech jobs, though they are 51% of its population, according to a recent analysis of the region's tech scene from Middle Tennessee State University and the NTC. Non-white workers hold 23% of tech jobs, though they are 29% of the region's population. When compared to the region's general working population, the tech workforce has a higher share of Asian workers but a lower share of Black and Hispanic or Latino workers.
This isn’t AB’s only effort at growing diversity amongst its ranks. The finance giant will launch the HBCU Scholars program in June, providing up to 20 students at Tennessee State University, Fisk University, Hampton University and Alabama A&M University scholarships upon completion of a nine-week summer internship.
The NTC also offers other apprenticeship programs, including Go Tech, which provides professional development opportunities for teachers; internships, industry certifications, summer camps and job shadow days for students; and apprenticeships for adults looking for new careers.
While AB’s inaugural apprenticeship class is full, Feiner said she does expect AB to continue the program in the future. Charest said the ideal student is someone who thinks outside of the box, loves to learn new things and is not afraid to fail.
“When we talk about inclusion and diversifying the workforce, AB is really actively seeking out [diverse candidates],” Charest said. “We’ve got a long way to go for diversity in tech. … We’re trying to build up [Nashville’s] tech workforce with some great diversity and different prospectives to solve problems in our community”
