This policy governs the Sponsored Apprentice model within the FITA Diagnostics Network (FITA DN). It formalises the agreement reached at the inaugural Vendor Conference on 24 May 2026, where attending vendors confirmed their support for a structured apprentice delegation and payment routing model.
The Sponsored Apprentice model exists to grow the FITA DN vendor supply organically through existing relationships, while maintaining the quality standards and accountability that define the network. It provides a clear pathway for skilled technicians to enter the network, develop their track record, and ultimately graduate to independent status.
The FITA DN vendor network operates on three tiers when the Sponsored Apprentice model is active:
An Apprentice Operator may not be dispatched on any FITA DN job until all of the following conditions are confirmed in the FITA DN Vendor Pipeline:
sponsor_id fieldThe Sponsor is fully accountable to FITA DN for the conduct and performance of every Apprentice registered under their account during the apprenticeship period. This accountability covers:
All payments for jobs completed by an Apprentice Operator are routed directly to the Sponsor's registered payment account (MoMo or bank). This applies regardless of which Apprentice completed the job.
This structure is intentional: payment routing to the Sponsor is the core incentive that encourages established operators to actively recruit and develop talent within the network. The Sponsor benefits financially from the Apprentice's work; in return, they take full accountability for that work.
The job record in the FITA DN system always records both the Apprentice (as the executing operator, for quality tracking purposes) and the Sponsor (as the payment recipient). These two fields are independent in the job database.
An Apprentice Operator becomes eligible to apply for Independent Operator status when all of the following thresholds are met:
| Graduation Criterion | Threshold | How Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs Completed under FITA DN | 20 confirmed jobs | FITA DN job database |
| Customer Rating | 4.0 average or above | Post-job customer scores |
| Active Tenure in the network | Minimum 3 months | Registration date vs. application date |
| Unresolved Complaints | Zero | FITA DN complaint log |
Upon successful graduation:
During the pilot phase (June–December 2026), each Sponsor may register a maximum of three (3) Apprentice Operators simultaneously. This limit exists to ensure the accountability model is manageable before scaling.
This limit will be reviewed following the conclusion of the pilot dry runs and may be increased for Sponsors who demonstrate strong quality management of their initial apprentice cohort.
An Apprentice may be removed from the network for any of the following reasons:
This policy is acknowledged by both the Sponsor and the Apprentice at the point of Apprentice registration. By proceeding with registration, both parties confirm they have read, understood, and agreed to the terms set out in this document.
FITA DN reserves the right to update this policy as the network scales. All registered vendors will be notified of material changes prior to implementation.