How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing concern for many years. Today’s total student debt is more than $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re thinking about your educational 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 these programs offer a good path to a fulfilling career, but they also reduce the financial burden commonly associated with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Real-World Learning
Apprenticeships combine hands-on activities with a theoretical foundation. In contrast to traditional higher education that could leave you mired in student loan debt, apprenticeships enable you to “earn while you learn.” These programs haven’t been used as much as they could have in the past but are gaining renewed focus from employers and academic institutions as they recognize the value of practical experience in career development.
Why the Renewed Interest in Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship programs are not only about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs often focus 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 shine in your preferred field right away.
Apprenticeship Styles: Trade and Academic
Understanding the kinds of apprenticeships available will help you make a more informed decision. Here’s some of the key details of the two major options.
Trade Apprenticeships
These programs prepare you for careers where a college degree is typically not needed. While society’s emphasis 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 estimates that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour throughout training, or $31,200 annually if training full time. Once the program is over, 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 incorporating apprenticeships in their degree programs, in particular for professions such as 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, reducing the need for loans.
How to Find an Apprenticeship
A few good resources are able to support you in finding an apprenticeship. Here’s places that may have more details:
- Trade organizations and unions: Get started 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 opportunities that you can search by geographic region, which is a very good resource for career seekers across the country.
- Educational institutions: If you want to work while obtaining a degree, colleges and universities are a good 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: Lots of companies identify apprenticeship opportunities on their help wanted pages.
- Networking: Occasionally, the old-school way is the best strategy. Talking to people in the field can supply you with insider information on possible opportunities.
Choosing the Appropriate Apprenticeship for You
When you take the traditional college route, you pick a major based on your personal strengths. Next, you explore job opportunities aligned with that major. On the other hand, seeking an apprenticeship requires you to think in reverse.
Start off 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, matches your skill set or offers the highest annual income, depending on your priorities. This method helps you match 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.
Apply For the Service Experts Career Academy
Are you looking to avoid getting buried in student loans while pursuing a satisfying career? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers a standout apprenticeship program called Service Experts Career Academy (SECA). SECA offers modern HVAC training and on-the-job learning facilitated by Expert industry professionals. The curriculum is created to equip you with valuable 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 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 in touch with us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Contact us at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!
