Ideas

I for one would love to go on such apprenticeship scheme. My only concern would be whether the benefits to VCs are strong enough for them to want in.

The apprentice idea is an ideal case scenario. It would require the leverage of PR to get VC companies interested in such a campaign.
YCombinator is a VC funder for web 2.0 start ups that is picking up on a stream of these companies. YCombinator goes straight to the start up and see the business model (not business plan) and funds any of these web 2.0 start up that shows enough initiative or creativity.

You could look at a model that actually conducts the recruitment process online. Make it creative and fun. Google have a very intense recruitment procedure.

If you are able to take the work away from the VC's and the start up's in the recruitment process, but at the same time maintaining that they are apprentices (therefore here to learn, and the process needs to be lenient); you may very well be able to get this going.

Willcom - thanks for the support. I would also put my name up for an apprenticeship and I am not even a computer person!!!

Inet - I totally agree that the recruitment process needs to imaginative and reduce the workload of the VCs (although they would need to be instrumental in setting the initial recruitment guidelines). I am thinking that the Web Apprentices Website could actually be where the competition is held with competitors marketing themselves (much like RobinHood Fund) so that the crowd votes them as apprentice material. That way the apprentices build a public profile even before they have started their apprenticeship

Would love to work on a start up ...not a entrepreneur as yet (even young)

Aside from the obvious VC funding to cover the costs of the apprentice, i am not clear on how this as a business unit makes money and indeed what scale of money would it make?

Doymarn:
This is my take on it. The Web Apprenticeships Website is essentially where apprentices are recruited. They use the website (similar to how CH members and RHF members do) to promote the reasons why they should be an apprentice. This gives it a competition quality and hence has the capacity to draw quite a bit of web 2.0 traffic (who wouldnt want this kind of opportunity). Traffic = opportunities for advertising and sponsorship. Furthermore, once apprentices have found permanent jobs, those companies can link back to the Web Apprenticeships Website creating further traffic.

The VC are funding the apprentices but also the process by which apprentices are selected (i.e., the website).

All this being said, I see this as a smaller scale venture with a small team required to develop and manage the website. Although small scale, it would have the potential to recruit and place some pretty amazing talent.

Isn't that what CH is all about?

Tarzan: nup - CH helps diverse people meet each other to collaborate on projects. Web Apprenticeships gives young people the opportunity to train in existing businesses. Think of a mechanical apprenticeship. Young guy/girl spends 2-3 years working in an established mechanical workshop to learn the skills. We wouldnt build the workshop so that the person could work in it!!!

good idea

Sorry, but I'm thinking this wouldn't work quite as well as you expect.

I don't see why the VCs would support it. It seems like the apprentices would want to work with experienced people. And the companies would want to choose their own apprentices.

By you... surprisingly. Didn't you already post this idea ?

Maurreen: - I disagree. I think the VCs have an opportunity to create a skilled and experienced creative workforce, to add a new level of filtering to the process of identifying those apprentices with talent and drive. I do agree that the apprentices will want to work with experienced people. Probably the idea should be stretched to include all start-ups with a good history. The company gets 1) a free employee 2) extra publicity and 3) contact with VCs. They can hire their own employees if they want but why would they turn down this opportunity.

Jadedgeek - I dont think I included it twice!!

I actually like this - and I run a 13-person web-based business. The exit would be an aquisition by a jobs board like Monster. Maybe it would end up somewhere in here http://content.monst...16552/1/default.aspx

- So VCs (actually angels) would fund it for the potential exit.
- the web firms would see it as a Monster for pre-screened interns. (and interns could potentially be virtual)
- interns would see it as a place to find experience.

I work for a startup in Wellingtons Creative HQ, a business incubator. This summer several startups ran a very successful program like this and even hired students full time. It was highly beneficial to all involved and will be scaled up tremendously this coming summer. The only difference was that the students were paid healthy wages NZ$15-$20.

Patmania - thanks for the feedback. I am glad to hear that similar type programs have been run at a local level successfully. What I think this idea adds above and beyond these local initiatives is the ability to showcase these students/apprentices on a central website and thus showcase the businesses that have taken on apprentices. I would love to hear more from you about the program you describe

dude, you've bought me on this... I'm eager to work on this . :)

Ady: Good to hear! This is one idea where I think my psychology skills might come in handy, i.e., thinking about how the apprentices might best be recruited.

I think it will be key for you to be able to get high quality startup companies involved in order to find high quality interns. However, you need to have high quality interns to get high quality startup companies. A little chicken and the egg problem. How do you plan on getting either? Isn't this kind of what YCombinator and a number of other investors are already doing?

PsychSplash, while I admire your thoroughness and enthusiasm, I am having a hard time getting behind this idea.

(See my comment of 5 minutes ago on TG's idea and you will find out I am just a negative nelly today, on both ideas).

I think, and not meaning to be unkind, that your idea encompasses a starry-eyed view of the type of companies you would like to see recruiting people via Web Apprenticeships.

Ah, I am old and jaded. I don't think there are such employers, and I especially don't think they live in the VC world.

But, it would make for a good contest, might generate some traffic. So commercially it could be packaged to have the same appeal as American etc. Idol.

And the contestants will be adults capable of thinking for themselves. If the prize turns out to be less than what they expected, I suppose that's their own fault - they are free to investigate before they sign up.

At the root of my negativity is the fear that this contest will make employers look much better than they are in real life.

In fact I would love this contest if it were in reverse. Companies pitching competitively: "Why you should choose to work for us", rather than, "Why we should choose you to work for us". Especially if audience participation was allowed!

Upsilon86 and Jill:

Interestingly, I think Jill's comment kinda answered Upsilon86's concerns. I really like the way Jill has suggested a turnaround in the concept, where it is in fact the companies that are attempting to sell why it is people should want to work for them. I envision the site then
a) showcasing the companies who are trying to make themselves look as attractive as possible. "Come work for us!!"
b) young apprentices looking for brief (2-4 weeks) work experience up to full-time jobs. "We are really good - hire us".

This would be a great start to the concept. If this part works, then investors may see this as a viable opportunity for two reasons
1) they see companies on the site who market themselves very well and therefore could be potential investment avenues.
2) they see individuals who market themselves very well and who should be funded to work in the area.

Its almost like an open recruitment agency where selling yourself is considered the primary criteria. It would also be great to hear from young apprentices who are able to spend some time in different companies.

Thanks for the feedback people - it has really helped me further my conceptualization of the idea.

Just a quick thanks to those who have commented on my idea. I have been reading through the comments today and think there are probably a few different angles to take on this idea. These are some of my thoughts
1) Perhaps this could be viewed more like a work experience type website where young teenagers get the opportunity to work for a few weeks in a start-up. They could then document their experiences on the website. This could work like a competition and perhaps attract sponsorship
2) As jill has suggested, the site could encourage companies to promote themselves, to attract both VC funding but also workers who might be interested in working for these companies. Its almost like a pimped up job advertisement that requires companies to really think about their corporate culture and how to sell that.
3) I see real potential in having work experience or apprenticeship people blog about their experiences as well as the happenings in the company.
4) Patmania's suggestion of business incubation and actually having companies paying for student work seems like a model that needs to be explored further.
5) Dave's talk about how the concept could be thought of as a service within a larger job network (e.g., monster). Not only new job seekers but school students seeking work experience options.
6) the talk about Ycombinator tells me that the concept of fostering early creativity is a sound one. This adds the additional component of tracking the experiences of those that work in these companies. I for one, would read about the experiences of someone working in a company whose service I used.

Just some thoughts :)

RE :Start-up companies register their interest to host an apprentice.

How much wil it cost YSU to host an apprenticeship? What will be the difference if one YSU host a project in an Inter-University Competition instead? (in turn YSU thus gain instant regional/academic support esp after offeing sholarship or employment award)

Hi Saigon
In the original model, the YSU did not wear the cost of the apprentice. It was the VC that wore the cost of the apprentices but also were crucial in selecting the apprentices. In alternative models (e.g., a work experience model), the YSU would have to pay for students to work - it would be covered by school work experience programs. It may be appropriate for some YSU to actually put funds towards paying apprentices, especially if those apprentices will showcase the company on the Web Apprenticeships website.

...oh why JR pitch makes me nervous like Boston vs Celtics in the 80s!

I have to admit this web apprentice has more Universal appeal and practically needed for most IT students looking foo real exposure and more!

am a minor, but can i be a YE?

re eZeitgeist comment does he means college students and or technical course that are venturing as one of your stakeholders?

In my previous career life in theatre this is how things worked. You learned by doing the job as an apprentice/intern. By the time I graduated college I had interned/worked somewhere every summer and most winter breaks.

The problem is that most agencies and studios aren't really set up to handle interns. It's most worthwhile if you can actually mentor them and cultivate the talent. That way you also can bring them back when they graduate!

Why restrict this to young people?

Doesn't have to be restricted at all really. When I initially formulated it, I had young people in mind because I was thinking about people at the beginning of their career. In the future versions of the idea, I see no reason for there to be an age limit.

CarlanLea: - the apprenticeship/intern model seems to work well across many different disciplines. I'd appreciate your thoughts on how this model could be adapted to the web start-up context and particularly how we could build a site that would be interesting for other people thinking of working in the industry.