INCAP HIGH SCHOOL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

IT Project Coordinator

Help deliver real tech projects, work with teams, and get paid while you learn.

The INCAP IT Project Coordinator Apprenticeship Program gives high school students a paid, two-year path into one of the most versatile roles in technology: helping plan and deliver the projects that keep organizations running. You’ll track tasks, support meetings, keep documentation organized, and learn the tools professional project teams use.

  • Start with Intercompany Training Center coursework and job shadowing
  • Track tasks, support meetings, and keep project documentation organized
  • Communicate with stakeholders and help report on status and risks
  • Use project management tools like Microsoft Project, Jira, and Smartsheet

10th grade

APPLY

11th grade

START

2 years

LENGTH

$13–17/hr

APPRENTICE PAY

Business offices

SETTING

What You’ll Earn

  • High school diploma with the Employment Honors Plus seal
  • INCAP credential — recognized by the Indiana Department of Education as a Credential of Value and by technology employers across Indiana
  • Optional industry certifications: CompTIA Project+, PMI CAPM (supplemental — program completion is based on demonstrated competency)
  • College credit toward a related degree program, where accepted

Is This Apprenticeship Right for You?

This could be a great fit if you…

  • Enjoy organizing, planning, and keeping groups of people on track
  • Are curious about how technology projects get designed and built
  • Communicate clearly and can balance multiple tasks at once
  • Enjoy working and interacting with people

What You’ll Actually Do

The work is real from day one. Across two years, apprentices build competency in these areas:

PROJECT PLANNING

Plan the work that keeps tech projects on track

  • Support project planning and scheduling
  • Break complex projects into manageable tasks (work breakdown structures)
  • Track action items and project milestones
  • Help organize timelines and deliverables
MEETING & STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT

Keep teams and stakeholders connected and informed

  • Provide meeting support and scheduling assistance
  • Help facilitate meetings and capture next steps
  • Send stakeholder updates and status reports
  • Communicate clearly with project team members and leaders
DOCUMENTATION & TOOLS

Keep project information accurate and organized

  • Maintain project documentation and risk logs
  • Use Microsoft Project, Jira, and Smartsheet
  • Use applied AI to boost productivity and improve documentation
  • Support change control and version tracking
QUALITY & RISK

Help projects deliver on time and on target

  • Learn the basics of change control and quality management
  • Track risks and issues across active projects
  • Support reporting on project status and outcomes
  • Build habits that meet industry project management standards
IT CONTEXT & SECURITY

Understand the technology you’re coordinating

  • Learn how IT systems, vendors, and security requirements shape a project
  • Support operational readiness before go-live
  • Help prepare users and teams for change
  • Escalate the right issues to the right people
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Work as part of a tech team

  • Communicate clearly with coworkers, stakeholders, and leadership
  • Practice teamwork in a fast-paced environment
  • Balance multiple tasks and deadlines
  • Build confidence, responsibility, and strong work habits

Typical Apprenticeship Timeline

11th grade

2 days per week at your employer plus 8 hours per week of online Intercompany Training Center (ICC) instruction. The rest of the week is in school.

Summer after 11th

Full-time, 40 hours per week, at your employer for 8 weeks.

12th grade

3 days per week at your employer plus 8 hours per week of ICC instruction, with time in school for the classes you need to graduate.

Summer after 12th

Full-time, 40 hours per week, at your employer for 8 weeks. Two summers are part of the program.

Apprentices are paid $13–17 per hour for every working hour, including ICC training time. 2,032 program hours over two years. Schedules are set with your employer and school so you can keep extracurriculars.

At completion, you have three options

  • Start your tech career with your employer or another Indiana company
  • Go to college, potentially faster, with credit for your INCAP credential
  • Keep training in an INCAP adult Career Program

Real Jobs This Program Prepares You For

Common roles INCAP graduates are prepared for include:

  • Junior IT Project Coordinator / Project Administrator
  • PMO (Project Management Office) Analyst
  • IT Operations Coordinator
  • Technology Business Analyst (entry level)
  • Program Coordinator (technology nonprofit or public sector)
  • And many more

Program Documents

Official INCAP occupation materials, published by the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway:

Full occupation page on IndianaCAP.org: IT Project Coordinator (High School)

Common Questions

How much do IT Project Coordinator apprentices get paid?

Apprentices typically earn $13 to $17 per hour, set by the employer, for every working hour including ICC training time. Apprentices are employees, so they fall under their employer’s policies for benefits, performance reviews, and raises.

When does the apprenticeship start, and how long does it last?

Students explore tech careers in 9th and 10th grade and apply in 10th grade. The apprenticeship begins in 11th grade and runs two years, year-round, including both summers.

What does a typical week look like?

In 11th grade: two days a week at your employer plus eight hours a week of online ICC instruction, with the rest of the week in school. In 12th grade: three days at your employer plus eight hours of ICC. Both summers are full-time at your employer for eight weeks. On-site days are typically eight hours, with schedules set so you can keep extracurriculars.

What classes do I take?

There are no required high school courses. All technical coursework is delivered through the ICC, online, by TechIndiana with Awesome People Leaders and Ivy Tech Community College. The one requirement is a school schedule that lets you leave the building to work while completing what you need to graduate.

What will I earn when I finish?

You meet the key requirements for Indiana’s Employment Honors Plus diploma seal — at least 650 hours of work-based learning plus an INCAP credential, which the Indiana Department of Education recognizes as a Credential of Value. Apprentices typically exceed 2,000 hours. The INCAP credential may count toward college credit. CompTIA Project+ and PMI CAPM are available as optional supplemental certifications.

What is the work environment like?

Collaborative, project-driven professional environments alongside project managers, business analysts, and IT professionals. You’ll need to be comfortable with clear communication, attention to detail, and managing several priorities at once.

What skills will I learn?

Project management: planning, scheduling, work breakdown structures, and risk and issue tracking. Communication: stakeholder updates and meeting facilitation. Tools: Microsoft Project, Jira, Smartsheet, and applied AI for project productivity. Quality: change control and quality management basics. Professional: time management, teamwork, and accountability.

What jobs can I get afterward?

You’ll be prepared for roles a step above entry level: junior IT project coordinator or project administrator, PMO analyst, IT operations coordinator, entry-level technology business analyst, and program coordinator. Many apprentices are hired directly by their employer.

How do I find an opening?

Openings are not posted online and vary by region. Express interest with TechIndiana and we’ll connect you with your school counselor and your regional INCAP Connector, who guide you through the application.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Apprenticeship spots are limited and depend on where you live. Tell us you’re interested and we’ll connect you with your school counselor and regional INCAP Connector. Employers: this is also where you start.

TechIndiana leads the Tech/IT Industry Talent Association for INCAP, the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway. Program questions: Jeni McIntosh-Elkins, jeni@techindiana.org · Dennis Trinkle, dennis@techindiana.org

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