How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt

Student loan debt across the nation has been a growing concern 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 educational 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 easiest ways to go about this is enrolling in an apprenticeship program. Not only do these programs offer a good path to a satisfying career, but they also alleviate the financial burden commonly associated with higher education.

The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning

Apprenticeships merge hands-on learning with a theoretical foundation. As opposed to 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 acquiring renewed attention from employers and academic institutions as they realize the value of practical experience in career development.

Why the Renewed Interest in 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 helping you get job-ready and equipping you with the tools needed to shine in your chosen field right off the hop.

Apprenticeship Styles: Trade and Academic

Understanding the kinds of apprenticeships available will help you make a more informed decision. Here’s an explanation of the two primary options.

Trade Apprenticeships

These programs prepare you for professions where a college degree is frequently not needed. While society’s concentration on higher education has caused a decline in these kinds of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has produced a surge in demand and, consequently, higher salaries.

The Department of Labor reports that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour throughout training, or $31,200 yearly if training full time. Once the program is done, 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 are frequently including apprenticeships in their degree programs, especially for professions such as 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, reducing the need for loans.

How to Find an Apprenticeship

A few good resources are available to help you get an apprenticeship. Here’s places that may have more details:

• Trade organizations and unions: Begin by reaching out to specific institutions associated with 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 opportunities that you can narrow down by geographic region, which is an excellent resource for career seekers all over the country.
• Educational institutions: If you’d like 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 include computer and IT, engineering, nursing, business management or consumer science.
• Trade company websites: Many companies post apprenticeship opportunities on their career pages.
• Networking: Occasionally, the old-school way is the best strategy. Talking to people in the industry can provide you with insider information on future opportunities.

Selecting the Perfect Apprenticeship for You

When you take the traditional academic route, you choose a major based on your personal strengths. Then, you look for job opportunities affiliated with that major. However, choosing an apprenticeship demands you to think in reverse.

Begin by pinpointing the majors and career paths that feature or require apprenticeships. And then, 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 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.

Apply For the Service Experts Career Academy

Are you looking to avoid getting buried in student loans while developing a satisfying career? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers a standout apprenticeship program called Service Experts Career Academy (SECA). SECA offers cutting-edge HVAC training and on-the-job learning facilitated by experienced industry professionals. The curriculum is designed 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 occupation 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 get a hold of us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Contact us at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!