Philadelphia AmeriCorps Digital Service Fellows Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Program Description: 

The AmeriCorps Digital Service Fellows is a pre-apprenticeship offered to recent high school graduates in Philadelphia, targeting students who hope to pursue careers in educational technology. Fellows serve as Educational Technology and Teaching Assistants under the supervision of a Digital Literacy Teacher. They get hands-on opportunities to help elementary and middle school students explore technology, and provide after-school technology education to students. 
 
The program offers on-the-job training, industry certifications, a $22,000 annual living stipend, and nearly $7,000 in education awards and scholarships that can be used at an accredited learning institution. 
 
The pre-apprenticeship provides fellows who hope to pursue careers in classroom education with valuable teaching experience. They spend 4-5 periods a day in the classroom working with students, and at least one period a day mentoring students. They also gain hands-on experience in tech support, working with IT up to two periods per day. Students are provided with IT training and certifications, including Dell Technician Certification, Apple Certified Macintosh Technician, CompTIA A+ fundamentals, and Google Apps for Education Certification. 

Impact:

For 23 years, this fellowship has provided students with the opportunity to gain on-the-job training in K-8 classrooms, and hands-on experience working in tech support. Students leave the program with several IT certifications, are provided with stipends, and receive scholarships for higher education upon completion. 
 
It also provides K-8 computer science teachers in the region with additional support, which means that K-8 students can receive more personalized education with more one-on-one time with the instructors and Digital Service Fellows. 

Population Served: 

Students hoping to pursue careers in IT, classroom education, or both. 

Learn more here.

Page last updated in August 2026