How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt

Student loan debt in the United States 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 academic journey or advising 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 enrolling in an apprenticeship program. Not only do apprentice programs offer a practical path to a fulfilling career, but they also relieve the financial burden commonly linked with higher education.

The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning

Apprenticeships merge hands-on experience with a theoretical foundation. As opposed to traditional higher education that could leave you buried in student loan debt, apprenticeships allow you to “earn while you learn.” These programs haven’t been fully utilized in the past but are gaining 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 aren’t just about debt avoidance; they’re also about employability and skill mastery. Traditional degree programs commonly concentrate on theoretical knowledge, which is undoubtedly 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 excel in your chosen field right from the get-go.

Apprenticeship Pathways: Trade and Academic

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

Trade Apprenticeships

These programs prepare you for jobs 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, consequently, higher salaries.

The Department of Labor reports that apprentices in trade fields earn around $15 per hour throughout training, or $31,200 annually if training full time. Once 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 increasingly incorporating apprenticeships in their degree programs, especially for professions such as engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The pros are two-fold: students receive real-world experience while fulfilling academic requirements, and they earn a wage, limiting the need for loans.

How to Apply For an Apprenticeship

A few good resources are available to assist you in securing an apprenticeship. Here’s where to look:

• Trade organizations and unions: Get started 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 opportunities that you can filter by geographic region, which is an outstanding resource for career seekers across the country.
• Educational institutions: If you’d like to work while pursuing a degree, colleges and universities are a good 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: Lots of companies post apprenticeship opportunities on their help wanted pages.
• Networking: Sometimes, the old-school way is the best strategy. Talking to people in the industry can provide you with insider information on possible opportunities.

Choosing the Appropriate Apprenticeship for You

When you take the traditional academic route, you pick a major based on your personal strengths. Next, you search job opportunities aligned with that major. On the other hand, pursuing an apprenticeship requires you to think in reverse.

Start off by identifying the majors and career paths that utilize 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 best income, depending on your priorities. This method helps you coordinate 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 building a gratifying 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 Expert industry professionals. The curriculum is tailored to equip you with essential 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 starts with making informed choices. If you’re eager to take control of your future with help from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, please contact us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Contact us at 866-397-3787 today to learn more!