INCAP HIGH SCHOOL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Software Development Associate

Build real apps and websites, write real code, and get paid while you learn.

The INCAP Software Development Associate Apprenticeship Program gives high school students a paid, two-year path into the technology industry: designing, building, testing, and improving the software applications and websites that businesses and customers rely on every day. You’ll work inside a real development team — writing code, fixing bugs, and shipping features.

Start with Intercompany Training Center coursework and job shadowing
Write code, fix bugs, and ship small features on real projects
Participate in code reviews and learn professional developer workflows
Help make sure software works the way it’s supposed to

Express Interest

See This Occupation on IndianaCAP.org

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 certification: CompTIA AI Fundamentals (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 math, logic, building things, and problem-solving
Are curious about how apps and games actually work
Can persist through trial and error to figure something out
Want the skills that power modern software

What You’ll Actually Do

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

CODING & DEVELOPMENT

Write real code that powers real software

Learn programming fundamentals (like Python)
Write scripts and ship small features
Make UI changes and bug fixes
Use APIs to connect software

TESTING & DEBUGGING

Make sure software works the way it should

Learn debugging and testing basics
Build basic automated tests
Write documentation for the code you and your team write
Catch and resolve bugs before users see them

UI & ACCESSIBILITY

Build software people can actually use

Learn UI basics and how good interfaces work
Practice accessibility so software works for everyone
Make UI changes on real applications
Help shape the user experience

TOOLS & WORKFLOW

Learn how development teams actually work

Use Git and version control with a team
Work in an Agile workflow alongside experienced developers
Get hands-on with databases and APIs
Participate in supervised deployments

AI-AUGMENTED DEVELOPMENT

Use AI coding tools the professional way

Use AI coding assistants with explicit expectations for validation
Protect intellectual property and sensitive code
Test and review AI-generated code before it ships
Learn where AI helps and where it doesn’t

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Work as part of a dev team

Communicate clearly with coworkers and team members
Give and receive feedback in code reviews
Persist through trial and error
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 Software Developer / Associate Developer
Software QA / Test Technician
Web Developer / Front-End Developer
Application Support / Junior DevOps
And many more

Program Documents

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

Full occupation page on IndianaCAP.org: Software Development Associate (High School)

Common Questions

How much do Software Development Associate 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 AI Fundamentals is available as an optional supplemental certification.

What is the work environment like?

Collaborative, project-driven environments alongside software engineers, QA technicians, product teams, and other developers. You’ll need to be comfortable working through trial and error, communicating with teammates, and picking up new tools and languages as projects evolve.

What skills will I learn?

Programming: fundamentals like Python, version control, debugging, and testing. Design: UI basics and accessibility. Workflow: team communication and Agile. Modern development: AI-assisted coding, databases, and APIs. Professional: code reviews, persistence, problem-solving, and clear communication.

What jobs can I get afterward?

You’ll be prepared for roles above entry level: junior or associate software developer, software QA or test technician, web or front-end developer, and application support or junior DevOps. 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.

Express Interest

Employers: Build Your Pipeline

Email TechIndiana

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