HCL Technologies opens TechBee for US students

HCL Technologies has announced TechBee, its apprenticeship programme, in the United States, an initiative that aims to hire high school graduates for full-time technology jobs.

Candidates on completing the programme will be offered full-time employment at the organisation, and have the opportunity to concurrently pursue a debt-free college education. The programme provides full pay and benefits, enabling candidates to begin their technology career in software development and testing, digital and cloud services, infrastructure delivery and engineering. Candidates will be provided with positions available at multiple global innovation and delivery centers in California, Connecticut, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Candidates will undergo a 12-month training to become successful IT professionals.

Applications for the first apprenticeship programme in Frisco, Texas, and Cary, North Carolina, are open. Enrolment in the program will take place through an entrance test.

According to Ramachandran Sundarajan, executive vice-president, HCL Technologies, it is vital to invest in tomorrow's technology leaders, and the organisation intends to hire and train the next generation of skilled technology talent while freeing them from the burden of education debt.

Participants will enroll in their choice of an associate or bachelor's degree program in STEM to be fully funded by HCL at a college or university that is part of HCL's nationwide academic partner network. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), a private, non-profit institution and leader in online education is the key partner for this programme.

HCL’s TechBee program is training selected candidates on high-tech niche technologies currently in India, Australia and Sri Lanka. The programme started in India in 2017. Over 3,000 students have completed the TechBee program and now work with HCL.