Franklin Apprenticeships, the tech apprenticeship company, today announced the addition of two senior executives to its advisory board: Peter Buchanan and Lisa Patterson. Buchanan and Patterson bring extensive experience building businesses and relationships with enterprise clients in the financial services and tech industries.

As demand for diverse tech talent continues to grow, Franklin Apprenticeships is rising to meet the challenge of recruiting, training, and hiring top tech professionals across the country. 

“At Franklin, our approach to tech apprenticeships has been employer-led from the start, which is why we now have an impressive client list including 30 Fortune 500 companies,” said Kim Nichols, CEO and founder of Franklin Apprenticeships.

“Our goal is not only to grow our own business but to build the market for tech apprenticeships in the United States. Peter and Lisa’s experience, insight, and networks will help us put apprenticeships on board room agendas – where they belong.” 

Buchanan brings extensive experience as an executive-level advisor for CEOs and Boards of growing tech companies – working on strategy, business development, marketing, and operational improvements. He has co-founded three successful professional services companies where his work has since been implemented by over 400 start-ups, growth, and mid-market companies. Notably, Buchanan invented a market and competitive analysis approach at GE Information Services, which has also been adopted in other GE businesses. 

“Kim and the team at Franklin have created an end-to-end offering that runs on a modern technology platform and serves the entire apprenticeship process,” said Buchanan. “Franklin Apprenticeships is addressing a major issue for American employers – the huge shortage of available tech talent. This company is poised for more rapid growth – and poised to take off.”  

Patterson was previously a Franklin client, playing an instrumental role in introducing cybersecurity and software engineering apprenticeship programs to Aegon N.V., a multi-billion-dollar international financial services group. She held a variety of senior roles over 25+ years, before retiring as Vice President of Financial Institutions. While there, she strengthened relationships with the world’s largest banks and financial services corporations and expanded product distribution through major banking and asset management partners.

“I joined Franklin’s Advisory Board because over 90% of their candidates come from underrepresented groups,” explained Patterson. “These apprenticeship programs are opening doors and creating life changing opportunities for people who may have otherwise never been given a chance. The challenge is that many business leaders are still unaware of apprenticeships and the benefits they can deliver. I’m excited to help change that.” 

Apprenticeships are earn-and-learn programs; they are a pathway to rewarding careers for individuals and a source of diverse, motivated talent for employers. Franklin offers a range of tech apprenticeship programs including Cybersecurity Analyst, Help Desk Technician, IBMz Application Developer, IBMz Mainframe Systems Administrator I & II, Network Engineer, and Software Engineer.