At SAIC, the next generation of technical talent is already on the job.
Through ROI’s UpSkill Work & Learn program, SAIC has made high school apprenticeships a core part of its long-term talent strategy. For North Lawrence student apprentice Caleb Cheney, that strategy is already becoming hands-on experience: he has moved from assembling hardware kits to creating CAD drafts and building engineering-related software skills.
“What started as a collaborative pilot to address regional skills gaps has matured into a cornerstone of our workforce strategy,” said Jim Allen, SAIC Vice President of Programs.
Today, SAIC is among UpSkill’s most engaged employer partners. The company has welcomed multiple cohorts of apprentices, retained many after high school graduation and, at ROI’s most recent UpSkill signing day, brought on its largest cohort yet: 10 new apprentices for the 2026-27 school year.
UpSkill connects high school students with employers in high-demand fields, giving apprentices real-world experience while helping companies build early talent. Regional Opportunity Initiatives facilitates the program in the Indiana Uplands, supporting students, schools, and employers from applications and interviews through placement, training, and ongoing guidance.
For SAIC, Allen said, that value extends beyond recruitment. The program has become what he describes as “a highly successful model of community-integrated workforce development.”
SAIC’s primary workforce need is finding technical professionals who are both highly skilled and deeply integrated with the company’s operational standards. Apprentices gain that experience by working in “core mission-critical” areas and performing “real, high-quality technical work that directly supports our defense and civilian customers.”
UpSkill is also shaping SAIC’s culture. Employees who mentor apprentices gain leadership experience, while apprentices bring what Allen described as “a renewed sense of purpose and pride” to daily work. “Our leadership understands that today’s apprentice is tomorrow’s lead engineer, and that belief translates into a welcoming, supportive, and highly attractive environment for young professionals,” he said. “By investing in them early, we create a clear, friction-free pathway from classroom to career.”
Building apprentice confidence and stronger SAIC teams
For apprentices, that strategy shows up in the day-to-day experience of being trusted as part of the team. Cheney’s UpSkill experience offers more than a paycheck or work-based experience aligned with his engineering pathway; it gives him the chance to contribute as part of a professional team.
“The most surprising part of my apprenticeship is the relationships I have formed with some of my co-workers,” Cheney said. “I didn’t expect to have as much in common with some of them as I do.”
At SAIC, apprentices start with foundational tasks that help them build confidence and learn the company’s processes, said Troy Sparks, Program Manager in Electronic System Integration. Over time, they take on responsibilities ranging from supporting inventory and preparing projects to inspecting manufacturing stages. Sparks said many begin contributing independently and making meaningful impacts within their first month.
“Everyone makes sure I know they are available for help whenever I need it, and they always accommodate me working at a slower pace or making more errors than typical,” Cheney said. “I feel comfortable in my role because everyone treats me like a real employee and coworker.”
Sparks said SAIC also benefits from apprentices who bring “quiet professionalism” to the workplace. “What impresses me most is their consistently pleasant demeanor and respectful manners—qualities that shine throughout our group,” he said. “They not only focus on developing themselves but also foster pride among our seasoned employees, giving mid-level team members opportunities to mentor and share their expertise. This dynamic truly enhances our team environment.”
From apprenticeships to careers
Sophie McDuffee’s experience shows how an UpSkill apprenticeship can become a longer-term pathway into SAIC. After completing her apprenticeship, McDuffee returned to the company while studying at Purdue University, stepping quickly back into a meaningful role because she already understood SAIC’s culture, operations, and clearance process.
“I have moved to a few different SAIC work locations throughout my time here, and the changing environments keep the experience new and engaging,” she said.
Returning to SAIC allowed McDuffee not only to apply what she was learning in college but also to recognize how much she had grown since first entering the workplace as a high school student, she said.
McDuffee said UpSkill gave her a head start at Purdue University, where she arrived with a résumé in hand and apprenticeship experience to build on. The skills she gained continue to benefit her in the classroom and at work. As she approaches college graduation, she said SAIC will “definitely be considered” as she evaluates her next career steps.
McDuffee’s return to SAIC shows one version of the pathway already taking shape. Cheney is beginning to see his own next steps more clearly, too.
He plans to continue working at SAIC and then attend Purdue University to study mechanical engineering.
“This has definitely shown me that I need a career where I am involved in hands-on things,” Cheney said.
For Allen, these outcomes show the apprenticeship model working as intended. “Seeing an individual evolve from a curious high school junior into a confident, highly capable collegiate intern is incredibly rewarding,” he said. “They aren’t just potential future employees. They are among our highest-potential future leaders, already equipped with a deep, systemic understanding of SAIC’s mission.”
“SAIC has shown what is possible when an employer makes a long-term investment in young talent,” said Michi McClaine, Vice President of Talent Development at Regional Opportunity Initiatives. “By welcoming students into meaningful roles and supporting their growth, SAIC is helping young people build confidence, skills, and career direction while strengthening its own teams.”
Cheney encouraged other Uplands students to consider the UpSkill apprenticeship pathway.
“Definitely give it a shot,” he said. “It is a great way to learn more about a career you are interested in, get a leg up on your peers, and, of course, get paid.”
For SAIC and ROI, that is the promise of UpSkill: students leave with confidence, experience, and direction, while employers gain skilled contributors already rooted in their teams, communities, and work.
For more information on UpSkill, visit www.regionalopportunityinc.org/upskill.