Apple begin mentorship programme Launch@Apple for first-generation college students in 2021

New for 2021 form Apple is something rather quite unique. We are usually used to Apple announcements based on new tech that will change our lives. However, 2020 has seemed to make people think differently.

Apple has launched a new mentorship programme that they will call Launch@Apple. The programme is aimed at first-generation college students and is welcoming with open arms students from economics and mathematics subjects. Accounting and Business. The course is designed with first-year college students, or better known in America as sophomores and freshmen in mind to give them a fighting chance once they leave college.

It is rumoured that Apple will match college students directly with Apple employees who will act as their mentors to guide them through the programme. The mentos will provide the students with the right resources and learning to enrich their knowledge of the working world. 

With this enhanced knowledge and advantage, students will be given the opportunity to gain paid internships and have the chance to job shadow to know what to expect in the working world. The graph below indicates that Apple already lacks behind in the education market.

(Source- Statista)

The programme will offer a one-on-one experience for students with their Apple mentor whilst receiving the resources and opportunities to help their personal and professional growth as they transition from a student into an employee. The programme is designed to help focus on the student's key skills and excel in their chosen subjects, giving birth to future devices and technology. 

Although Apple has not said very much about the launch of their Launch@Appple program, the mentorship will officially begin early this year for admissions. 

The programme has been launched as an intuitive way to help the company gain and source young talent from various backgrounds and universities. The programme is an excellent platform for students to gain working experience with the right vision. 

Although it is not clear whether the programme will be available outside of the USA, more details will follow once the intuitive has fully launched. 

Why tech companies launch student programmes 

A collaboration between tech companies and universities creates a better, more prepared workforce level for the working world. Partnerships of this kind combine technology companies' innovation with bright modern thinking students, helping narrow the attainment gap. Some believe that universities are ahead of the general business world in their own use of contextual recruitment. These programmes' end results mean students can land in right prospect positions. 

Some student programmes rely on algorithms and machine learning to recruit the 'right' students. However, these systems can also be an advantage or even disadvantage some groups, and so they are checked manually to make sure all students are given a fair enough chance. Big tech organisations usually run programmes to train and find different students with different capabilities to match their future business goals. There are also significant gender gaps in the sector as demonstrated in the graph below.

(Source- Bloomberg)

Once a student enters the programme, they begin to learn how the company works and so they are moulded into the perfect employees who already possess the skills required for the jobs the organisation needs them to do. This also means that they can start straight away and at a cheaper rate than a more experienced person without the need for training. 

Although this may look like it is only beneficial for the organisation, there is significant potential and opportunity for the students themselves, as many are not ready for the working world when they leave university.

How prepared are students for entering the tech industry?

Most of the highest paid jobs for students, once they leave university, are based in the tech industry. However, figures have shown that employers struggle to fill these positions. This is due to a wide gap between the skills needed to do these jobs and skills students are leaving university with. 

Most positions require hands-on experience which students simply do not have. This is why tech giants' programmes are so important as they allow students to gain the skills they need, helping them land these tech jobs. 

It is essential to think about how the tech industry has changed over the years and become such a big part of everyday life today, especially during the pandemic. For this reason, and for technology to advance even further, there needs to be a huge focus and a big push to help get the right minds into the correct position to change the world as we know it.