How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing problem 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 higher education journey or giving advice to someone who is, it’s essential to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could greatly lower your financial burden.
One of the easiest ways to go about this is participating in an apprenticeship program. Not only do these programs offer a good path to a rewarding career, but they also relieve the financial burden commonly linked with higher education.
The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning
Apprenticeships merge hands-on learning with a theoretical foundation. In contrast to traditional higher education that may 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 acquiring renewed interest from employers and academic institutions as they recognize the value of practical experience in career development.
Why the Focus on Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship programs are not only about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs often concentrate on theoretical knowledge, which is unquestionably important but lacks the real-world application that employers covet. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by helping you get job-ready and outfitting you with the tools needed to stand out in your desired field right off the hop.
Apprenticeship Pathways: 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 careers where a college degree is often not needed. While society’s concentration on higher education has caused a decline in these kinds of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has created a surge in demand and, consequently, higher salaries.
The Department of Labor states 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 completed, 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 including apprenticeships in their degree programs, in particular for fields like engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The pros are two-fold: students get real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, decreasing the need for loans.
How to Get an Apprenticeship
A number of resources are able to support you in finding an apprenticeship. Here’s places that may have more details:
- Trade organizations and unions: Start by reaching out to 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 positions that you can search by geographic region, which is an outstanding resource for career seekers nationwide.
- Educational institutions: If you’d like to work while pursuing a degree, colleges and universities are the first point of contact. The programs most likely to offer apprenticeships as part of the degree program most often are in computer and IT, engineering, nursing, business management or consumer science.
- Trade company websites: Numerous companies list apprenticeship opportunities on their help wanted pages.
- Networking: Sometimes, the traditional way is the best strategy. Talking to people in the field can supply you with insider information on possible opportunities.
Selecting the Perfect Apprenticeship for You
When you go the traditional college route, you select a major based on your interests. Then, you look for job opportunities affiliated with that major. On the other hand, choosing an apprenticeship will require you to think in reverse.
Start by pinpointing the majors and career paths that utilize or require apprenticeships. Then, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, meets your skill set or offers the most lucrative income, depending on your priorities. This approach helps you align your educational pathway with real-world opportunities, ensuring 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 racking up student loan debt while developing a satisfying career? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers an excellent 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 valuable 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 should begin with making informed choices. If you’re eager to take control of your future with help from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, please contact us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Reach out at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!
