How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing concern for years. Today’s total student debt soars over $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re contemplating your educational journey or advising someone who is, it’s essential to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could greatly lower your financial burden.
One of the most desirable non-traditional career paths is registering in an apprenticeship program. Not only do apprentice programs offer a good path to a fulfilling career, but they also relieve the financial burden commonly connected with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning
Apprenticeships combine hands-on experience with a theoretical foundation. Unlike traditional higher education that could 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 interest from employers and academic institutions as they realize the value of practical experience in career development.
Why the Renewed Interest in Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship programs aren’t just about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs often focus on theoretical knowledge, which is definitely important but lacks the real-world application that employers desire. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by making you job-ready and equipping you with the tools needed to succeed in your desired field right from the start.
Apprenticeship Pathways: Trade and Academic
Knowing the styles of apprenticeships available is a good first step and will help you make a more informed decision. Here’s a breakdown of the two primary options.
Trade Apprenticeships
These programs prepare you for professions where a college degree is frequently not required. While society’s focus on higher education has resulted in a decline in these types of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has produced a surge in demand and, therefore, higher salaries.
The Department of Labor estimates that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour during training, or $31,200 annually if training full time. Once the program is done, the average apprentice could 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 more and more are including apprenticeships in their degree programs, in particular for professions such as engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The pros are two-fold: students get real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, reducing the need for loans.
How to Apply For an Apprenticeship
A few good resources are available to assist you in securing an apprenticeship. Here’s places that may have more details:
- Trade organizations and unions: Begin by reaching out to specific institutions associated with your field of interest to see if they have any available apprenticeships.
- US Department of Labor: The DOL website has a searchable database of apprenticeship programs that you can narrow down by geographic region, which is a very good resource for career seekers all over the country.
- Educational institutions: If you want to work while obtaining a degree, colleges and universities are the first point of contact. The programs most likely to integrate apprenticeships as part of the degree program are in computer and IT, engineering, nursing, business management or consumer science.
- Trade company websites: Numerous companies post apprenticeship opportunities on their career pages.
- Networking: Sometimes, the traditional way is the best approach. Talking to people in the industry can offer you insider information on upcoming opportunities.
Selecting the Right Apprenticeship for You
When you go the traditional academic route, you choose a major based on your personal strengths. Next, you explore job opportunities affiliated with that major. On the other hand, choosing an apprenticeship will require you to think in reverse.
Start off by choosing the majors and career paths that utilize or require apprenticeships. After that, 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 method 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 the student loan trap while developing a fulfilling 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 experienced industry professionals. The curriculum is created to equip you with valuable skills and make you a master in your field—all while avoiding your own student debt crisis.
The path to a satisfying, debt-free occupation begins 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 a hold of us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Reach out at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!
