How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt in the United States has been a growing problem 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 giving advice to someone who is, it’s crucial to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could greatly lower your financial burden.
One of the easiest ways to go about this is participating in an apprenticeship program. Not only do apprentice programs offer a practical path to a rewarding career, but they also alleviate the financial burden commonly linked with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning
Apprenticeships combine hands-on activities with a theoretical foundation. In contrast to traditional higher education that may leave you smothered 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 understand 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 commonly concentrate 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 outfitting you with the tools needed to stand out in your chosen field right away.
Apprenticeship Styles: Trade and Academic
Learning the kinds 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 careers where a college degree is often not required. While society’s focus on higher education has led to a decline in these types of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has produced a surge in demand and, consequently, higher salaries.
The Department of Labor states that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour throughout training, or $31,200 yearly if training full time. When the program is over, 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 including apprenticeships in their degree programs, in particular 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 Get an Apprenticeship
A couple of different resources are available to assist you in securing an apprenticeship. Here’s where to look:
- Trade organizations and unions: Begin by calling specific institutions associated with your field of interest to see if they have any contacts.
- US Department of Labor: The DOL website has a searchable database of apprenticeship positions that you can filter by geographic region, which is an outstanding resource for career seekers all over the country.
- Educational institutions: If you’d like to work while obtaining a degree, colleges and universities are a helpful initial point of contact. The programs most likely to integrate apprenticeships as part of the degree program most often 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: Sometimes, the old-fashioned way is the best approach. Talking to people in the business can supply you with insider information on upcoming opportunities.
Selecting the Appropriate Apprenticeship for You
When you go the traditional higher education route, you choose a major based on your personal strengths. Next, you look for job opportunities connected with that major. On the other hand, choosing an apprenticeship requires you to think in reverse.
Start by pinpointing the majors and career paths that utilize or require apprenticeships. Next, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, meets your skill set or offers the most lucrative income, depending on your priorities. This approach helps you match your educational pathway with real-world opportunities, providing a smoother transition into the job market and a satisfying career for years to come.
Apply For the Service Experts Career Academy
Are you looking to avoid the student loan trap while pursuing a gratifying career? Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers a top-of-the-line 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 satisfying, debt-free career starts with making informed choices. If you’re prepared to take control of your future with help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, please get a hold of us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Call us at 954-736-4314 today to learn more!
