How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt across the nation has been a growing issue 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 educational journey or counseling someone who is, it’s important to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could significantly lower your financial burden.
One of the easiest ways to go about this is registering in an apprenticeship program. Not only do apprentice programs offer a good path to a rewarding career, but they also relieve the financial burden commonly associated with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning
Apprenticeships combine hands-on activities with a theoretical foundation. As opposed to traditional higher education that might leave you mired in student loan debt, apprenticeships let you to “earn while you learn.” These programs have been underutilized in the past but are gaining renewed attention from employers and academic institutions as they recognize 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 commonly focus on theoretical knowledge, which is certainly important but lacks the real-world application that employers want. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by preparing you to be job-ready and outfitting you with the tools needed to shine in your desired field right from the start.
Apprenticeship Styles: Trade and Academic
Knowing 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 careers where a college degree is often unnecessary. While society’s emphasis on higher education has caused a decline in these sort of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has created a surge in demand and, consequently, higher salaries.
The Department of Labor reports that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour while training, or $31,200 yearly if training full time. As soon as the program is completed, the average apprentice may 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, especially for fields like engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The benefits are two-fold: students receive real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, reducing the need for loans.
How to Get an Apprenticeship
A couple of different resources are available to help you get an apprenticeship. Here’s organizations and individuals who may have more information:
- Trade organizations and unions: Begin by contacting specific institutions relevant to your field of interest to see if they have any offerings.
- US Department of Labor: The DOL website has a searchable database of apprenticeship positions that you can search 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 offer apprenticeships as part of the degree program include computer and IT, engineering, nursing, business management or consumer science.
- Trade company websites: Lots of companies list apprenticeship opportunities on their career pages.
- Networking: In some cases, the old-school way is the best approach. Talking to people in the field can provide you with insider information on upcoming opportunities.
Finding the Appropriate Apprenticeship for You
When you go the traditional academic route, you choose a major based on your passion. Next, you discover job opportunities aligned with that major. On the other hand, choosing an apprenticeship will require you to think in reverse.
Start off by identifying the majors and career paths that incorporate or require apprenticeships. And then, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, meets your skill set or offers the best income, depending on your priorities. This strategy helps you coordinate your educational pathway with real-world opportunities, ensuring 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 racking up student loan debt while developing a fulfilling career? Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers a top-of-the-line apprenticeship program called Service Experts Career Academy (SECA). SECA offers advanced HVAC training and on-the-job learning facilitated by knowledgeable industry professionals. The curriculum is created to equip you with valuable skills and make you a master in your field—all while preventing your own student debt crisis.
The path to a worthwhile, debt-free occupation begins with making informed choices. If you’re eager 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!
