• SIE Communications

Launched in 2020 as an employee-led initiative, the Apprentice Pathway Program has grown into a meaningful talent pathway at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Since its launch, the program has welcomed more than 200 individuals across cultures, social economic status, backgrounds, and experiences, creating pathways to impactful careers in technology. Moreover, a majority of those onboarded as apprentices (roughly 100 individuals) continue to grow their careers as contract or full-time employees across many business functions across Sony Interactive, reflecting the program’s long-term impact and sustainability.

To celebrate the milestone, Sony Interactive hosted events in multiple offices, bringing together over 150 attendees, including apprentices, alumni, mentors, managers, and colleagues, to honor the journey, growth, and community behind the program.

By the Numbers

Since launching in 2020, the Apprentice Pathway Program has expanded its reach and impact:

  • Global reach to 3 markets: Apprentices onboarded in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany
  • 9x growth in annual apprenticeship onboarding compared to its inception year
  • Expanding access through partnerships with 12 nonprofit organizations 
  • 65% average apprentice contract extension rate

What is the Apprentice Pathway Program? 

The Apprentice Pathway Program creates opportunities for individuals from non-traditional backgrounds — whether they are individuals without a four-year degree, professionals pivoting from another industry, or those entering their first professional roles after completing technical training through workforce development programs. The program also partners with various nonprofit organizations, such as Year Up United, Techtonica, and Gameheads, to extend access to talented candidates. 

Through mentorship, professional development, and hands-on learning at Sony Interactive, apprentices gain real-world experience while building the skills and confidence needed to launch successful, long-term careers in tech. By combining structured support with meaningful projects, the program aims to help unlock potential that might otherwise go unseen in traditional hiring models.

Voices from the Apprentice Alumni

Every apprentice brings their own story, but they all share one thing: they are ready for opportunity. Here are a few alumni who turned that readiness into thriving careers here. 

“I wanted to pursue computer science, but my family was facing financial pressure, and I needed to work full time to help my sister through nursing school. Through Year Up United, I built the technical foundation that led me to Sony Interactive Entertainment. The Apprentice Pathway Program gave me

the chance to turn that training into real-world experience. By building my own projects and solutions, I gained confidence and ownership over important programs. After my apprenticeship, I was offered a contractor role, and eventually a full-time position. Today, I work on 10+ key projects that rely on my contributions. I have a lot to be thankful for. I was given a chance and a team that supported me. For the teams who are taking in apprentices, thank you. There’s so many more stories like mine who has been waiting for a big opportunity like this.”

Marc Savet – Software Engineer II

“I had no internships or professional experience in tech and taught myself programming, building small tools for research labs, but I still struggled to break into the industry. Through Techtonica, I gained the technical training I needed, and the Apprentice Pathway Program at Sony Interactive

Entertainment gave me the chance to apply those skills in real-world projects. I learned that there’s no such thing as a stupid question, and my mentors and teammates guided me every step of the way. After my apprenticeship, I was offered a full-time role, and today I lead multiple tools and key programs. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity and the foundation the apprenticeship provided to grow into a confident engineer.”

Avery Miller – Software Engineer II 

“After six years as a stay-at-home mom, I decided to teach myself tech and earned certifications in full stack web development. I applied everywhere, but kept hearing I didn’t have enough experience. Through the Apprentice Pathway Program, I finally had the chance to prove myself.

After completing the apprenticeship, I was offered a six-month contract, and at the end of that contract, I was offered a full-time position. To me, this program represents opportunity. It has opened doors for myself and many others to enter the workforce within our communities, even without a traditional educational background. My journey took years, countless applications, and many interviews, but it ultimately led me here. This program made that possible.”

Aundrina Leyva – QA Analyst

Reports from Hiring Teams

The Apprentice Pathway Program has not only transformed the lives of apprentices, it also creates impact across the organization through the teams and leaders who mentor, manage, and support them. Here’s what some of our employees working closely with apprentices have to say.

“The Apprentice Pathway Program partnered with LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to match us with an apprentice, and it was one of the best decisions our team ever made. This apprentice brought a perspective none of us could replicate – they had lived experience

navigating low-vision challenges, and they could translate that into technical solutions for our products. In just four months, our apprentice helped us accomplish work that would have taken years before and truly made our team feel like we had a superpower. Their contributions didn’t just benefit our team, they strengthened our products and had a tangible impact across the company.”

Brian Parsons – Senior UX Designer 

“My experience coming from a non-technical background inspired me to pay it forward through the Apprentice Pathway Program. What I love most about this program is working with apprentices who come in without preconceived notions, full of curiosity and drive. They are eager to explore,

try new things, and discover strengths they didn’t know they had. They want to try everything, do everything, and see what they are great at that they didn’t know they were great at before. My ultimate reflection on why this program is so important and so critical is all it took for me to really launch my own career was somebody taking a risk on me, somebody taking that chance.”

Alexander Fogleman – Manager, Software Quality Engineering

“I brought in my first apprentice to work on a crucial and ambiguous project. Her fresh perspective, asking questions like ‘How?’ and ‘Why?’, helped us see things we hadn’t considered and improve our processes. The project she supported is now used across multiple platforms

for PlayStation 5 and mobile. Since then, I’ve hired two more apprentices, who have grown in their careers. But it’s not only the apprentices who are growing but also the team members who work with them. Apprentices develop their skills, while our team members gain valuable mentorship experience, become better engineers, and strengthen our culture of collaboration. The program is amazing and helps us build a stronger company culture through this opportunity.”

Monika Phogat – Sr Manager, Software QA Engineering

“It’s amazing to see how far the Apprentice Pathway Program has come. I remember meeting with different groups about this program five years ago. Over those years, my team has hired nine apprentices, two of whom continued from previous cohorts, and their contributions have made a real difference.

This program really creates better outcomes. When we have more perspectives, we can reflect on our experiences and ways of working with folks from a broader set of backgrounds. It helps us create better products and a true win-win-win situation. With an apprentice, you have someone taking a leap; they’re passionate, highly involved, and eager to learn. Their energy and drive are inspiring, and it’s fantastic to see them dive in and make an impact.”

Afsal Kuner – Director, Software Engineering

Looking Ahead

The Apprentice Pathway Program reflects how investing in people, embracing diverse perspectives, and providing meaningful opportunities can transform careers, teams, and products. From apprentices stepping into their first professional roles to leaders mentoring the next generation of talent, the program creates a ripple effect of growth and impact across Sony Interactive. 

As we celebrate more than 200 apprentices and the many milestones they’ve achieved, we look ahead to expanding opportunity, accelerating innovation, and supporting the next wave of talent ready to make an impact.

Learn more about the Apprentice Pathway Program

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