How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt

Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing issue for years. Today’s total student debt soars over $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re considering your educational journey or counseling someone who is, it’s important to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could significantly lower your financial burden.

One of the most desirable non-traditional career paths is participating in an apprenticeship program. Not only do these programs offer a viable path to a satisfying career, but they also reduce the financial burden commonly associated with higher education.

The Apprenticeship Advantage: Real-World Learning

Apprenticeships combine hands-on experience with a theoretical foundation. In contrast to traditional higher education that may leave you smothered in student loan debt, apprenticeships allow 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 understand the value of practical experience in career development.

Why the Renewed Interest in Apprenticeships?

Apprenticeship programs are not only about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs commonly focus on theoretical knowledge, which is undoubtedly important but lacks the real-world application that employers desire. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by making you job-ready and supplying you with the tools needed to shine in your desired field right away.

Apprenticeship Styles: Trade and Academic

Learning the types of apprenticeships available can help you make a more informed decision. Here’s an explanation of the two primary options.

Trade Apprenticeships

These programs prepare you for careers where a college degree is often not required. While society’s emphasis on higher education has resulted in a decline in these types 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 while training, or $31,200 annually if training full time. When the program is done, 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 are frequently integrating apprenticeships in their degree programs, in particular for professions such as engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The advantages are two-fold: students get real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, limiting the need for loans.

How to Get an Apprenticeship

A few good resources are at your disposal to help you get an apprenticeship. Here’s organizations and individuals who may have more information:

• Trade organizations and unions: Begin by reaching out to 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 all over the country.
• Educational institutions: If you want to work while pursuing 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: Many companies post apprenticeship opportunities on their help wanted pages.
• Networking: Occasionally, the old-school way is the best way. Talking to people in the business can offer you insider information on possible opportunities.

Choosing the Right Apprenticeship for You

When you go the traditional higher education route, you pick a major based on your personal strengths. After that, you look for job opportunities aligned with that major. On the other hand, seeking an apprenticeship requires you to think in reverse.

Start by pinpointing the majors and career paths that utilize or require apprenticeships. Next, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, matches your skill set or offers the highest annual income, depending on your priorities. This method 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 pursuing a rewarding career? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers a top-of-the-line 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 tailored to equip you with essential skills and make you a master in your field—all while averting your own student debt crisis.

The path to a worthwhile, 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 get a hold of us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Reach out at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!