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WNBPA and Microsoft announce apprenticeship program

By Kim Doss

SEATTLE - APRIL 21: L to R: Ashley Robinson #43, Danielle Tiedt of Microsoft, Swin Cash #2, and Camille Little #20 pose with the Storms' new jersey at a press conference announcing a sponsorship deal with Microsoft at Ranier Vista Boys & Girls Club on April 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Storm's new jersey will feature the Bing logo as part of the deal. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE - APRIL 21: L to R: Ashley Robinson #43, Danielle Tiedt of Microsoft, Swin Cash #2, and Camille Little #20 pose with the Storms' new jersey at a press conference announcing a sponsorship deal with Microsoft at Ranier Vista Boys & Girls Club on April 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Storm's new jersey will feature the Bing logo as part of the deal. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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The players’ union teams up with Microsoft to offer career development opportunities to prepare players for life after basketball.

Unless they’re among the very elite, it’s unlikely that WNBA players will get wealthy playing basketball. At the same time, the dedication required to pursue a full-time professional basketball career doesn’t allow for the kind of internship and networking opportunities that most recent college graduates pursue. The WNBA Players Association and Microsoft have teamed up to help fill this gap.

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Microsoft and the WNBPA announced on Thursday that the Microsoft LEAP for WNBPA  program would be offered to players beginning this year. The 16-week program offers paid apprenticeships to members of the WNBPA. It will provide technology training, professional development and career networking.

“Microsoft LEAP for WNBPA will facilitate the union’s goal to assist players–both active and those preparing for retirement–with opportunities designed to help them build a next career,” WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson said in the joint press release.

The apprenticeships will be paid opportunities that last for 16 weeks. The first four weeks are spent in classes on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Washington. Included in the program is the opportunity to learn and use Microsoft products.

After the in-class portion of the program, participants will spend 12 weeks taking part in on-the-job training. These opportunities will be at Microsoft locations around the world.

The WNBPA and Microsoft tout the program as a way for players to build professional skills and “establish critical connections across business, technology, and engineering.”

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