How to Get an Apprenticeship and Avoid Student Loan Debt

Student loan debt across the nation has been a growing problem 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 thinking about your higher education journey or counseling someone who is, it’s crucial to weigh the alternatives to traditional college that could greatly 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 satisfying career, but they also reduce the financial burden commonly linked with higher education.

The Apprenticeship Advantage: Hands-On Learning

Apprenticeships combine hands-on activities with a theoretical foundation. In contrast to traditional higher education that may leave you mired in student loan debt, apprenticeships allow you to “earn while you learn.” These programs have been underutilized in the past but are acquiring 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 usually focus on theoretical knowledge, which is unquestionably 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 desired field right away.

Apprenticeship Styles: Trade and Academic

Understanding the types of apprenticeships available will help you make a more informed decision. Here’s an explanation of the two main options.

Trade Apprenticeships

These programs prepare you for careers where a college degree is often unnecessary. While society’s emphasis on higher education has led to a decline in these kinds of apprenticeships, the lack of skilled tradespeople has caused a surge in demand and, therefore, higher salaries.

The Department of Labor estimates 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 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 more and more are including apprenticeships in their degree programs, particularly for career paths in engineering, health care and information technology (IT). The pros are two-fold: students get 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 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 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 positions that you can search by geographic region, which is an outstanding resource for career seekers nationwide.
• Educational institutions: If you want to work while pursuing a degree, colleges and universities are a good point of contact. The programs most likely to offer apprenticeships as part of the degree program 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: In some cases, the traditional way is the best approach. Talking to people in the field can provide you with insider information on future opportunities.

Finding the Perfect Apprenticeship for You

When you go the traditional college route, you select a major based on your interests. Next, you search job opportunities connected with that major. But, pursuing an apprenticeship will require you to think in reverse.

Begin by choosing the majors and career paths that feature or require apprenticeships. Next, pick one of the available apprenticeships from your narrowed-down list that sparks your interest, meets your skill set or offers the best income, depending on your priorities. This method helps you align your educational pathway with real-world opportunities, ensuring 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 racking up student loan debt while pursuing a fulfilling career? Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers a top-of-the-line apprenticeship program called Service Experts Career Academy (SECA). SECA offers cutting-edge HVAC training and on-the-job learning facilitated by knowledgeable industry professionals. The curriculum is tailored to equip you with essential skills and make you a master in your field—all while preventing your own student debt crisis.

The path to a fulfilling, 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, please get in touch with us to learn more about Service Experts Career Academy. Contact us at 954-736-4314 today to learn more!