How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt

Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing issue for a very 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 considering your educational journey or giving advice to someone who is, it’s important to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could greatly lower your financial burden.

One of the easiest ways to go about this is registering in an apprenticeship program. Not only do these programs offer a viable path to a rewarding career, but they also relieve the financial burden commonly linked with higher education.

The Apprenticeship Advantage: Real-World Learning

Apprenticeships combine hands-on learning with a theoretical foundation. Unlike traditional higher education that may leave you buried in student loan debt, apprenticeships let 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 understand the value of practical experience in career development.

Why the Resurgence in Apprenticeships?

Apprenticeship programs are not only about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs frequently focus 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 supplying you with the tools needed to shine in your chosen field right from the start.

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 some of the key details of the two main options.

Trade Apprenticeships

These programs prepare you for professions where a college degree is often not needed. While society’s concentration on higher education has led to a decline in these kinds of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has created a surge in demand and, as a result, higher salaries.

The Department of Labor reports that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour during training, or $31,200 per year if training full time. When the program is completed, the average apprentice can 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, particularly for fields like engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The advantages are two-fold: students obtain 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 available to help you get an apprenticeship. Here’s where to look:

• Trade organizations and unions: Get started by contacting 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 an outstanding resource for career seekers across the country.
• Educational institutions: If you’re looking 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 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 traditional way is the best approach. Talking to people in the business can provide you with insider information on possible opportunities.

Choosing the Perfect Apprenticeship for You

When you go the traditional academic route, you select a major based on your personal strengths. Next, you explore job opportunities connected with that major. But, pursuing an apprenticeship demands you to think in reverse.

Start by identifying the majors and career paths that incorporate or require apprenticeships. Then, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, matches 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.

Earn While You Learn at Service Experts Career Academy

Are you looking to avoid getting buried in student loans while pursuing a gratifying 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 experienced 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 profitable, debt-free career begins 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 in touch with us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Contact us at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!