How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt

Student loan debt across the nation has been a growing concern for a long time. 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 academic journey or counseling someone who is, it’s important to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could greatly lower your financial burden.

One of the most popular ways to do this is participating in an apprenticeship program. Not only do these programs offer a good path to a satisfying career, but they also relieve the financial burden commonly connected with higher education.

The Apprenticeship Advantage: Real-World Learning

Apprenticeships merge hands-on learning with a theoretical foundation. In contrast to traditional higher education that might leave you buried in student loan debt, apprenticeships let you to “earn while you learn.” These programs haven’t been fully utilized in the past but are acquiring renewed focus 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 often concentrate on theoretical knowledge, which is definitely important but lacks the real-world application that employers desire. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by helping you get job-ready and outfitting you with the tools needed to succeed in your chosen field right from the get-go.

Apprenticeship Paths: Trade and Academic

Knowing the styles of apprenticeships available can help you make a more informed decision. Here’s some of the key details of the two primary options.

Trade Apprenticeships

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

The Department of Labor estimates that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour while training, or $31,200 annually if training full time. When 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 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 obtain real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, reducing the need for loans.

How to Get an Apprenticeship

A couple of different resources are able to assist you in securing an apprenticeship. Here’s places that may have more details:

• Trade organizations and unions: Start by contacting specific institutions relevant 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 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 seeking a degree, colleges and universities are the first point of contact. The programs most likely to incorporate 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 post apprenticeship opportunities on their help wanted pages.
• Networking: Occasionally, the conventional way is the best approach. Talking to people in the business can supply you with insider information on possible opportunities.

Selecting the Appropriate Apprenticeship for You

When you take the traditional higher education route, you choose a major based on your personal strengths. After that, you discover job opportunities affiliated with that major. However, seeking an apprenticeship will require you to think in reverse.

Start off 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 most lucrative income, depending on your priorities. This strategy helps you align your educational pathway with real-world opportunities, providing 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 the student loan trap while building a fulfilling career? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers a standout apprenticeship program called Service Experts Career Academy (SECA). SECA offers modern 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 avoiding your own student debt crisis.

The path to a worthwhile, debt-free occupation starts with making informed choices. If you’re ready 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!