Start Your Tech Career in High School.
Get paid. Build real skills. Earn industry credentials. Graduate with a head start — no college debt required.
The Pathway at a Glance
A 2-year journey, the same shape for every INCAP technology pathway.
STAGE 1
Grades 8–10: Explore
Discover the role. Apply in 10th grade. Match with an Indiana employer.
STAGE 2
Grade 11: Year One
Two days at the employer. One day of ICC training. Full-time in summer.
STAGE 3
Grade 12: Year Two
Three to four days at the employer. Integrated training. Real ownership.
STAGE 4
What’s Next
Workforce, INCAP Career Program, or college with credit for prior learning.
$10/hr
Starting · varies by role and employer
2 Years
Paid apprenticeship
Stackable
Industry credentials
CPL
College credit for prior learning
Choose Your Pathway
Three INCAP technology pathways — each a 2-year apprenticeship with paid work, ICC training, and stackable credentials.
PATHWAY 1
IT Support Technician
Keep Indiana’s technology running.
IT Support Technicians are the people who keep technology working — installing devices, resolving tickets, securing endpoints, and helping coworkers get back to work fast. It is a hands-on, high-impact way to start a tech career.
What you will learn:
- Hardware setup, repair, and inventory
- Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, troubleshooting)
- Operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux basics)
- Cybersecurity foundations and safe practices
- Help desk, ticketing, and end-user support
- Cloud and Applied AI fundamentals
Where it can lead
- IT Support Specialist
- Desktop / Help Desk Support
- Junior Systems Administrator
- Network Support Technician
- IT Field Technician
Credentials: Employment Honors Plus Seal · INCAP Certificate · CompTIA A+ / Network+ / Security+
Student Journey
ABOUT THIS ROLE
Grades 8–10
Discover the role through TechIndiana resources and counselor support. Apply in 10th grade. Match with an Indiana employer.
YEAR ONE
Grade 11
2 days/week at employer: shadow technicians, set up devices, support users, learn ticketing.
1 day/week ICC: CompTIA A+, OS, networking, customer service. Full-time at employer in summer.
YEAR TWO
Grade 12
3–4 days/week at employer: resolve tickets independently, network troubleshooting, support sysadmin work, mentor peers.
Integrated ICC: advanced troubleshooting, security, cloud, capstone.
WHAT’S NEXT
After INCAP
Workforce: ready for IT support roles statewide.
INCAP Career Program: advance toward a bachelor’s-equivalent credential.
College: use credit for prior learning to accelerate a degree.
PATHWAY 2
IT Project Coordinator
Keep technology projects on time, on budget, and on target.
IT Project Coordinators are the connective tissue of technology teams — tracking tasks, organizing schedules, supporting stakeholders, and making sure projects cross the finish line. It is the on-ramp to a career in project management and technology operations.
What you will learn:
- Project planning, scheduling, and tracking
- Stakeholder communication and status reporting
- Risk, change, and budget management
- Industry tools (Jira, Asana, MS Project, Smartsheet)
- Agile and Scrum fundamentals
- Applied AI for productivity and reporting
Where it can lead
- Junior Project Manager
- PMO Analyst
- IT Operations Coordinator
- Technology Business Analyst
- Program Coordinator
Credentials: Employment Honors Plus Seal · INCAP Certificate · CompTIA Project+ · CAPM prep
Student Journey
ABOUT THIS ROLE
Grades 8–10
Discover the role through TechIndiana resources and counselor support. Apply in 10th grade. Match with an Indiana employer.
YEAR ONE
Grade 11
2 days/week at employer: capture meeting notes, track tasks, support scheduling, draft status reports.
1 day/week ICC: PM foundations, Agile/Scrum basics, business communication.
YEAR TWO
Grade 12
3–4 days/week at employer: coordinate small end-to-end projects, maintain risk logs, present updates, contribute to playbooks.
Integrated ICC: advanced PM, risk and change, budget tracking, capstone.
WHAT’S NEXT
After INCAP
Workforce: ready for PM coordinator and PMO analyst roles.
INCAP Career Program: advance toward a bachelor’s-equivalent credential.
College: use credit for prior learning to accelerate a degree.
PATHWAY 3
Software Development Associate
Build the software that powers Indiana’s economy.
Software Development Associates write, test, and improve the code behind real business applications — working alongside experienced engineers from day one. It is a practical, portfolio-building entry to a career in software.
What you will learn:
- Writing, testing, and debugging production code
- Version control and developer tools (Git, IDEs)
- Programming fundamentals and data structures
- UI, accessibility, and front-end basics
- Agile teamwork and code review
- APIs, databases, and AI development
Where it can lead
- Junior Software Developer
- Software QA / Test Engineer
- Web / Front-End Developer
- Application Support Analyst
- Product / Engineering Associate
Credentials: Employment Honors Plus Seal · INCAP Certificate · CompTIA A+ · Security+
Student Journey
ABOUT THIS ROLE
Grades 8–10
Discover the role through TechIndiana resources and counselor support. Apply in 10th grade. Match with an Indiana employer.
YEAR ONE
Grade 11
2 days/week at employer: fix bugs, write automated tests, build small features, join sprints and standups.
1 day/week ICC: programming fundamentals, data structures, Agile, web/app foundations.
YEAR TWO
Grade 12
3–4 days/week at employer: own features end-to-end, lead peer code reviews, integrate APIs, build a portfolio with real impact.
Integrated ICC: frameworks, database design, security, capstone.
WHAT’S NEXT
After INCAP
Workforce: ready for junior developer and QA roles.
INCAP Career Program: advance toward a bachelor’s-equivalent credential.
College: use credit for prior learning to accelerate a CS or SE degree.
How It Works
01
Apply in 10th Grade
Submit your INCAP interest form. Tell us your top pathway and a little about your goals.
02
Get Matched
We connect you with an Indiana employer partner that fits your skills and interests.
03
Earn While You Learn
Two-year paid apprenticeship: real work, ICC training, stackable credentials, and a clear path to what is next.
What You Earn
Real money. Real credentials. Real college credit. Every INCAP apprentice graduates with all three.
Paid Work
Wages start at $10/hour and vary by role and employer. Both summers are full-time at the employer site, with continued ICC training one day per week.
Industry Credentials
Employment Honors Plus Seal · INCAP Pathway Certificate · industry certifications aligned to your role (CompTIA, Project+, CAPM prep, and more).
College Credit
Your INCAP portfolio is eligible for Credit for Prior Learning at participating Indiana colleges — accelerating a future degree if you choose that route.
Common Questions
Do I still graduate on time?
Yes. INCAP is built around your high school schedule and counts toward Indiana graduation pathways. Apprentices graduate alongside their classmates with the same diploma — plus real work experience and credentials.
What does my school week look like?
In Year One (Grade 11), you spend two days per week at your employer and one day in ICC training. In Year Two (Grade 12), you spend three to four days at the employer with ICC training integrated into your schedule. Both summers are full-time at the employer.
Can I still go to college after?
Absolutely. Many INCAP apprentices use their portfolio for Credit for Prior Learning at Indiana colleges, accelerating their degree. Others choose to advance through the INCAP Career Program or move directly into the workforce.
Do I need experience to apply?
No. INCAP is designed for high school students who are curious about technology — no prior tech experience required. Counselors and TechIndiana staff support you through the application.
What does it cost?
Nothing. INCAP apprenticeships are paid. There is no tuition for the apprenticeship itself.
How do I apply?
Submit the interest form below and TechIndiana will follow up. Applications open for rising 11th graders each spring.
Ready to Start?
Tell us a little about you. We will follow up with next steps for the pathway that fits.