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 is more than $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 considerably 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 relieve the financial burden commonly connected with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Real-World Learning
Apprenticeships blend hands-on activities with a theoretical foundation. In contrast to traditional higher education that could leave you mired in student loan debt, apprenticeships let you to “earn while you learn.” These programs haven’t been fully utilized 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 Focus on Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship programs aren’t only about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs often focus on theoretical knowledge, which is unquestionably important but lacks the real-world application that employers want. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by making you job-ready and outfitting you with the tools needed to succeed in your desired field right off the hop.
Apprenticeship Styles: Trade and Academic
Understanding the kinds of apprenticeships available can help you make a more informed decision. Here’s a breakdown of the two main options.
Trade Apprenticeships
These programs prepare you for professions where a college degree is typically not needed. While society’s emphasis on higher education has caused a decline in these types of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has caused a surge in demand and, as a result, higher salaries.
The Department of Labor estimates that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour during training, or $31,200 per year if training full time. Once 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 integrating apprenticeships in their degree programs, particularly for career paths in engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The benefits are two-fold: students get real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, decreasing the need for loans.
How to Find an Apprenticeship
A couple of different resources are able to help you get an apprenticeship. Here’s organizations and individuals who may have more information:
- Trade organizations and unions: Start by calling 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 programs that you can search by geographic region, which is an excellent resource for career seekers nationwide.
- Educational institutions: If you want to work while obtaining a degree, colleges and universities are the first point of contact. The programs most likely to incorporate apprenticeships as part of the degree program are in computer and IT, engineering, nursing, business management or consumer science.
- Trade company websites: Lots of companies list apprenticeship opportunities on their help wanted pages.
- Networking: Occasionally, the old-fashioned way is the best approach. Talking to people in the field can provide you with insider information on upcoming opportunities.
Finding the Right Apprenticeship for You
When you follow the traditional higher education route, you pick a major based on your passion. After that, you discover job opportunities aligned with that major. But, choosing an apprenticeship requires you to think in reverse.
Start by identifying the majors and career paths that incorporate or require apprenticeships. After that, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, accommodates your skill set or offers the highest annual income, depending on your priorities. This approach helps you align 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.
Learn About Service Experts Career Academy
Are you looking to avoid the student loan trap while building a gratifying career? Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers a standout 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 created to equip you with essential skills and make you a master in your field—all while preventing your own student debt crisis.
The path to a satisfying, 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. Call us at 954-736-4314 today to learn more!
