How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt in the United States has been a growing issue for a very long time. 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 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 most popular ways to do this is registering in an apprenticeship program. Not only does this offer a good path to a rewarding career, but they also alleviate the financial burden commonly linked with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning
Apprenticeships merge hands-on activities with a theoretical foundation. In contrast to traditional higher education that could leave you buried in student loan debt, apprenticeships allow 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 understand the value of practical experience in career development.
Why the Renewed Interest in Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship programs aren’t only about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs commonly target on theoretical knowledge, which is definitely important but lacks the real-world application that employers covet. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by helping you get job-ready and equipping you with the tools needed to shine in your desired field right off the hop.
Apprenticeship Paths: Trade and Academic
Learning the types 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 jobs where a college degree is often unnecessary. While society’s focus on higher education has caused a decline in these types of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has caused a surge in demand and, consequently, higher salaries.
The Department of Labor estimates that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour while training, or $31,200 annually if training full time. As soon as 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 integrating apprenticeships in their degree programs, particularly for fields like engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The pros are two-fold: students obtain real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, decreasing the need for loans.
How to Apply For an Apprenticeship
A few good resources are at your disposal to help you get an apprenticeship. Here’s where to look:
- Trade organizations and unions: Start by calling specific institutions related 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 search by geographic region, which is a very good resource for career seekers across the country.
- Educational institutions: If you’re looking to work while pursuing 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 are in computer and IT, engineering, nursing, business management or consumer science.
- Trade company websites: Numerous companies post apprenticeship opportunities on their job pages.
- Networking: In some cases, the old-school way is the best approach. Talking to people in the business can supply you with insider information on future opportunities.
Selecting the Right Apprenticeship for You
When you take the traditional academic route, you pick a major based on your personal strengths. After that, you discover job opportunities connected with that major. However, seeking an apprenticeship demands you to think in reverse.
Start off by identifying the majors and career paths that feature or require apprenticeships. Then, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, accommodates your skill set or offers the most lucrative income, depending on your priorities. This strategy 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.
Choose Service Experts Career Academy
Are you looking to avoid getting buried in student loans while developing a satisfying career? Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers a standout 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 critical skills and make you a master in your field—all while preventing your own student debt crisis.
The path to a fulfilling, debt-free profession starts 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. Reach out at 954-736-4314 today to learn more!