How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing problem for 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 thinking about your higher education journey or counseling someone who is, it’s crucial to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could greatly lower your financial burden.
One of the most desirable non-traditional career paths is participating in an apprenticeship program. Not only does this offer a practical path to a rewarding career, but they also alleviate the financial burden commonly associated with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Real-World Learning
Apprenticeships merge hands-on experience with a theoretical foundation. In contrast to traditional higher education that could leave you smothered in student loan debt, apprenticeships allow 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 attention 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 often concentrate on theoretical knowledge, which is unquestionably important but lacks the real-world application that employers covet. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by preparing you to be job-ready and outfitting you with the tools needed to stand out in your desired field right off the hop.
Apprenticeship Paths: Trade and Academic
Understanding the types of apprenticeships available can help you make a more informed decision. Here’s a breakdown of the two major options.
Trade Apprenticeships
These programs prepare you for professions where a college degree is typically unnecessary. While society’s focus on higher education has led to a decline in these kinds of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has created a surge in demand and, consequently, higher salaries.
The Department of Labor estimates that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour throughout training, or $31,200 yearly if training full time. When 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, particularly for career paths in engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The advantages 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 number of resources are available to help you get an apprenticeship. Here’s where to look:
- Trade organizations and unions: Start by reaching out to specific institutions relevant to your field of interest to see if they have any contacts.
- US Department of Labor: The DOL website has a searchable database of apprenticeship programs that you can narrow down by geographic region, which is an outstanding resource for career seekers across the country.
- Educational institutions: If you’d like to work while seeking a degree, colleges and universities are a good point of contact. The programs most likely to offer 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 list apprenticeship opportunities on their career pages.
- Networking: Sometimes, the traditional way is the best approach. Talking to people in the industry can provide you with insider information on future opportunities.
Selecting the Perfect Apprenticeship for You
When you take the traditional college route, you choose a major based on your personal strengths. After that, you discover job opportunities aligned with that major. However, pursuing an apprenticeship demands you to think in reverse.
Begin by choosing the majors and career paths that feature or require apprenticeships. Next, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, accommodates your skill set or offers the best income, depending on your priorities. This approach helps you coordinate your educational pathway with real-world opportunities, providing 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 developing a fulfilling career? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers an excellent apprenticeship program called Service Experts Career Academy (SECA). SECA offers advanced HVAC training and on-the-job learning facilitated by Expert industry professionals. The curriculum is designed to equip you with essential skills and make you a master in your field—all while averting your own student debt crisis.
The path to a satisfying, debt-free profession should begin with making informed choices. If you’re eager to take control of your future with help from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, please contact us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Call us at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!