FAST Apprenticeship program combines on-the-job training with academic instruction for students by giving them an opportunity to put their academic skills to practical use in various fields. The participants are undergraduate and graduate students who spend up to one year at one of the top ICT companies in Armenia.

To be eligible for the FAST Apprenticeship program, the applicant must:

• Be a 2nd - 4th-year bachelor’s or master’s student
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.95 at the time of application
• Meet the specific requirements of the position they apply for
• Be a permanent resident of the Republic of Armenia
• Be at least 18-year-old at the time of application
• Be willing to be involved in a company’s activities/jobs for at least 10 hours/week

Eligible candidates apply to the program through a competitive nation-wide call and go through the selection process organized and facilitated jointly by FAST and participating companies. In the online application form, candidates indicate their academic background, achievements, correspondence to the requirements of a hiring company, motivation, as well as attach an official transcript of records demonstrating their cumulative GPA. The candidates also indicate the companies of their first and second choices. If the candidate is not selected by the company of their first choice, they will automatically be considered by the company of their second choice. The shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview at the company.

The program enhances the labor market, mainly by contributing to economic growth, reducing the unemployment rate, and easing the transition from academia to the workforce. The program also has a positive impact on the overall ecosystem in several ways, by:

• Transforming industry into knowledge-generator
• Modifying the university curriculum, while taking into consideration the industry needs
• Filling the gap between academia and industry
• Providing young professionals with an opportunity for career development

• Opportunity to work on real tasks and acquire practical skills
• Academic instruction and guidance of an experienced team lead
• Flexible schedule to combine with University studies
• From small to average financial remuneration
• Experience of working in a corporate environment with a supportive team
• Special corporate benefits package
• Opportunity for employment

The program helps businesses develop highly skilled employees. It reduces turnover rates, increases the productivity of recruitment and lowers its costs.

The program also ensures:

• A stable and reliable pipeline of qualified potential employees
• A systematic approach to training that ensures employees are trained and certified to produce at the highest skill levels required for the occupation
• Increased knowledge transfer through on-the-job learning from experienced mentors, combined with education courses to support work-based learning

• Increased motivation among students towards curriculum as they have a chance to apply their knowledge in the practical setting
• Students’ feedback on the gaps of the curriculum based on the job experience they gain throughout the program
• Higher employability among the alumni after graduation
• Strengthened ties with the industry as an opportunity to enrich the curriculum