How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt across the nation has been a growing concern for many years. Today’s total student debt has reached some $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re considering your higher education journey or advising someone who is, it’s important to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could greatly lower your financial burden.
One of the most desirable non-traditional career paths is enrolling in an apprenticeship program. Not only do apprentice programs offer a viable path to a satisfying career, but they also reduce the financial burden commonly associated with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning
Apprenticeships blend hands-on activities with a theoretical foundation. Unlike traditional higher education that may leave you buried in student loan debt, apprenticeships let you to “earn while you learn.” These programs haven’t been used as much as they could have in the past but are acquiring renewed focus from employers and academic institutions as they understand the value of practical experience in career development.
Why the Resurgence in Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship programs aren’t only about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs frequently target on theoretical knowledge, which is certainly important but lacks the real-world application that employers desire. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by preparing you to be job-ready and supplying you with the tools needed to stand out in your desired field right from the start.
Apprenticeship Pathways: Trade and Academic
Knowing the types of apprenticeships available is a good first step and will help you make a more informed decision. Here’s some of the key details of the two primary options.
Trade Apprenticeships
These programs prepare you for fields where a college degree is frequently not needed. While society’s concentration on higher education has caused a decline in these kinds of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has produced a surge in demand and, therefore, higher salaries.
The Department of Labor reports that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour while training, or $31,200 annually if training full time. Once the program is completed, the average apprentice can earn the following salaries upon joining the workforce:
- Electrician: $49,840
- Plumber and pipe-fitter: $49,140
- HVAC technician: $43,640
- Solar panel installer: $37,900
- Auto mechanic: $36,610
- Construction worker: $30,000 to $45,000
Academic Apprenticeships
Academic institutions are frequently incorporating apprenticeships in their degree programs, especially for career paths in engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The pros are two-fold: students receive real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, decreasing the need for loans.
How to Apply For an Apprenticeship
A number of resources are available to support you in finding an apprenticeship. Here’s places that may have more details:
- Trade organizations and unions: Get started by contacting specific institutions associated with your field of interest to see if they have any offerings.
- US Department of Labor: The DOL website has a searchable database of apprenticeship programs that you can search by geographic region, which is an excellent resource for career seekers all over the country.
- Educational institutions: If you want to work while seeking a degree, colleges and universities are a helpful initial point of contact. The programs most likely to offer apprenticeships as part of the degree program are in computer and IT, engineering, nursing, business management or consumer science.
- Trade company websites: Many companies post apprenticeship opportunities on their career pages.
- Networking: In some cases, the old-school way is the best way. Talking to people in the business can provide you with insider information on upcoming opportunities.
Choosing the Right Apprenticeship for You
When you go the traditional college route, you pick a major based on your personal strengths. Then, you look for job opportunities connected with that major. However, pursuing an apprenticeship will require you to think in reverse.
Start off by pinpointing the majors and career paths that incorporate or require apprenticeships. Then, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, accommodates your skill set or offers the highest annual income, depending on your priorities. This strategy helps you align your educational pathway with real-world opportunities, which makes for a smoother transition into the job market and a satisfying career for years to come.
Learn About Service Experts Career Academy
Are you looking to avoid racking up student loan debt while pursuing a satisfying career? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers an excellent apprenticeship program called Service Experts Career Academy (SECA). SECA offers cutting-edge HVAC training and on-the-job learning facilitated by Expert industry professionals. The curriculum is tailored to equip you with critical skills and make you a master in your field—all while averting your own student debt crisis.
The path to a profitable, debt-free career should begin with making informed choices. If you’re prepared to take control of your future with help from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, please get in touch with us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Call us at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!