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 soars over $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re considering your academic journey or advising someone who is, it’s essential 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 does this offer a viable path to a rewarding career, but they also relieve the financial burden commonly connected 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 smothered in student loan debt, apprenticeships enable you to “earn while you learn.” These programs have been underutilized in the past but are getting renewed attention from employers and academic institutions as they recognize the value of practical experience in career development.

Why the Resurgence in Apprenticeships?

Apprenticeship programs aren’t just about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs commonly target on theoretical knowledge, which is certainly important but lacks the real-world application that employers covet. Apprenticeships bridge this gap by helping you get job-ready and equipping you with the tools needed to succeed in your chosen field right off the hop.

Apprenticeship Pathways: Trade and Academic

Understanding the types of apprenticeships available is a good first step and will help you make a more informed decision. Here’s an explanation of the two major options.

Trade Apprenticeships

These programs prepare you for professions where a college degree is typically not needed. While society’s concentration on higher education has led to 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 throughout training, or $31,200 annually if training full time. When 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 more and more are integrating apprenticeships in their degree programs, particularly for professions such as engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The benefits are two-fold: students receive real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, reducing the need for loans.

How to Find an Apprenticeship

A couple of different resources are at your disposal 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 offerings.
• US Department of Labor: The DOL website has a searchable database of apprenticeship opportunities that you can filter by geographic region, which is a very good resource for career seekers all over the country.
• Educational institutions: If you want to work while obtaining 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 most often are in 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.

Choosing the Right Apprenticeship for You

When you take the traditional academic route, you choose a major based on your interests. Next, you explore job opportunities aligned with that major. But, seeking an apprenticeship will require you to think in reverse.

Start by choosing the majors and career paths that incorporate or require apprenticeships. After that, 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 align 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 gratifying career? Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers an excellent 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 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 satisfying, 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, please contact us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Call us at 954-736-4314 today to learn more!