How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt across the nation has been a growing issue for a 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 thinking about your academic journey or giving advice to 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 enrolling in an apprenticeship program. Not only does this offer a good path to a satisfying career, but they also alleviate the financial burden commonly linked with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning
Apprenticeships combine hands-on activities with a theoretical foundation. Unlike traditional higher education that might leave you buried 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 getting renewed focus from employers and academic institutions as they realize the value of practical experience in career development.
Why the Focus on Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship programs aren’t just about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs often target on theoretical knowledge, which is undoubtedly important but lacks the real-world application that employers desire. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by preparing you to be job-ready and equipping you with the tools needed to stand out in your desired field right from the get-go.
Apprenticeship Paths: Trade and Academic
Learning the styles of apprenticeships available is a good first step and 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 fields where a college degree is typically not required. While society’s focus on higher education has resulted in a decline in these sort of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has created a surge in demand and, therefore, higher salaries.
The Department of Labor states that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour during training, or $31,200 yearly if training full time. When 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 including apprenticeships in their degree programs, in particular for fields like engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The advantages are two-fold: students obtain real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, limiting the need for loans.
How to Find an Apprenticeship
A couple of different resources are available to support you in finding 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 available apprenticeships.
- 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’re looking to work while seeking a degree, colleges and universities are a helpful initial 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: Numerous companies identify apprenticeship opportunities on their career pages.
- Networking: Sometimes, the conventional way is the best way. Talking to people in the field can supply you with insider information on upcoming opportunities.
Selecting the Perfect Apprenticeship for You
When you take the traditional academic route, you choose a major based on your personal strengths. Next, you discover job opportunities aligned with that major. On the other hand, choosing an apprenticeship requires you to think in reverse.
Begin by choosing the majors and career paths that utilize or require apprenticeships. After that, 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 method helps you match your educational pathway with real-world opportunities, ensuring 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 racking up student loan debt while pursuing a rewarding career? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers a standout apprenticeship program called Service Experts Career Academy (SECA). SECA offers advanced HVAC training and on-the-job learning facilitated by experienced industry professionals. The curriculum is created to equip you with critical skills and make you a master in your field—all while avoiding your own student debt crisis.
The path to a profitable, debt-free career starts 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 a hold of us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Call us at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!
