ℹ️Training Versus Volunteering

Learn about how Tech Fleet defines its apprenticeship training below.

Video Version

Here's a video version:

Credit: Tech Fleet https://youtu.be/9bEj3Ts0ci8

Definition of Apprenticeship Training

When you are participating in Tech Fleet project training, you are a trainee learning how to work in an Agile cross-functional team environment. You are NOT a volunteer! Volunteers hold different set of expectations from trainees.

Project training in Tech Fleet are meant to be a safe environment to learn how to do something for the first time. People training on teams should not expect to carry out perfect work, like in the real world jobs. This is not a job, this is an apprenticeship training.

While we work with real nonprofit clients, the work we do is not fast or expert-focused as our teams are built of people who are learning to do this for the first time.

Clients who partner with Tech Fleet do not expect expert-facing work to be produced. They work with Tech Fleet to give back to Tech Fleet's mission and provide opportunity for first-time learners in training.

Project Trainees

• Project training is not considered volunteer work, it's considered an educational service;

• During the project training, contributors work with the guidance of coaches;

• There is no requirement for specific schedules or hours worked each week for trainees, although there are expectations for teammates to spend time on teams in order to get the most out of training;

• The training in projects, even though it includes actual operation of Tech Fleet or its clients, is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school;

• The training is for the sole benefit of community members, not clients;

• The trainees do not displace regular employees;

• The trainees are not entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period;

• Tech Fleet, clients, and the trainees understand that the trainees are not entitled to wages for the time spent training;

Read more here:

Community Contributor Terms and Conditions | Tech Fleet - Professional Development For All | UX Apprenticeships | Development Apprenticeships | Product Management Apprenticeshipstechfleet.org

Volunteers

• Volunteers of Tech Fleet are volunteer workers for Tech Fleet Professional Association, a nonprofit with public charity 501(c)(3) status;

• Volunteers are not paid for their work;

• Volunteers may not receive training by doing collaborative work while volunteering;

• Volunteers work with a volunteer coordinator to join volunteer teams;

• Volunteers do not hold specific schedules or required hourly commitments;

• Volunteers and Tech Fleet can both end a term of volunteering at any time;

• Volunteers may be expected to hold higher levels of experience to join a volunteer team, depending on the volunteer role;

• Volunteers may be working alone or in a team;

Read more here:

Volunteer Terms and Conditions | Tech Fleet - Professional Development For All | UX Apprenticeships | Development Apprenticeships | Product Management Apprenticeshipstechfleet.org

How to Put Tech Fleet Training on Resumes

When providing your Tech Fleet experience on resumes, it's important to list Tech Fleet as the organization under which you trained. You can showcase the kinds of team functions you did and the nonprofit clients you partnered with in your training.

Format

1. Organization: Tech Fleet Professional Association

2. Title: Apprentice or Co-Lead

3. Position: List whatever team function you did

   1. UX Design

   2. UX Research

   3. UX Writing

   4. Project Management

   5. Product Management

   6. Development

   7. Agile Coach / Scrum Master

Example

Company: Tech Fleet Apprenticeship Training

Title: UX Design Apprentice

From: March - May, 2025

Summary

• Apprenticeship training for an Agile cross-functional team

• Worked with Science 2 People, a nonprofit on the mission to create fair access to public health information, to help them built a product experience.

• Daily tasks: (list the tasks that are described here under Team Functions)

  • Performing Scrum work in two-week sprints

  • Participating in Sprint Demos, Sprint Retros, and Sprint Planning

  • Operating cross-functionally with other departments to carry out work

  • Creating and maintaining prototypes

  • Creating and maintaining design systems

  • Creating and maintaining UI kits

  • Turning requirements into reality

  • Creating and maintaining personas and journey maps

  • Leading design thinking activities

  • Leading rapid ideation sessions

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