The Benefits of Apprenticeships

What Is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship program trains you to become skilled in a trade or profession. Apprenticeships typically combine on-the-job training with more traditional learning.

Do Apprentices Get Paid?

Yes! Apprenticeships allow you to earn while you learn. By becoming an apprentice, you will have a guaranteed paycheck that increases as you advance through the program, as well as once you’ve completed your certification.

Top 4 Benefits of Apprenticeship

1. Increased Skills

When getting a traditional job, it’s not always clear what types of skills you’ll learn and be able to use for future opportunities. Apprenticeship programs are focused on helping you learn specific skill sets that will qualify you for various job opportunities.

2. Higher Wages

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the national average starting salary after completing an apprenticeship program is $80,000. Additionally, apprentice graduates earn more over their lifetime compared to peers who don’t.

3. Career Advancement Opportunities

By completing an apprenticeship, you’ll have a clear career and salary trajectory. In 2021, 92% of apprentices retained employment after their apprenticeship program was completed. Registered apprenticeships provide nationally recognized credentials that you can use to apply for job opportunities across the country. You’ll also connect with other employees in your chosen industry, allowing you to organically network for future opportunities.

4. Steady Income

Other career training programs usually do not provide a steady salary during training, unlike apprenticeship programs. In particular, internships are often unpaid, while apprenticeships ensure that you have reliable compensation during your training.

Apprenticeship Pros and Cons

It’s important to acknowledge that apprenticeships may not be right for everyone. Consider the following advantages and disadvantages of starting an apprenticeship program:

• Pro: Stability. Apprenticeships provide steady income, a nationally recognized certification, and typically a guaranteed job at the end of the program.
• Con: Commitment. Apprenticeships can take anywhere from 1–3 years, whereas other forms of training may only take months.
• Pro: Hands-on experience. If you know you learn best outside of the classroom, you’ll benefit from the hands-on learning that is incorporated into most apprenticeship programs.
• Con: Responsibility. Apprenticeships often require you to do the job while you’re still learning it. Essentially, you’ll be doing a full-time job while also doing full-time training. This level of responsibility may not be for everyone.
• Pro: Structure. Apprenticeships will take you through a structured program that focuses on mastering specific skills of the trade.
• Con: Narrow focus. If you’re interested in learning more general, entry-level skills or want a customized approach, an apprenticeship may not be right for you.

Ready for an Apprenticeship?

With the help of SkillUp, you’ll be ready to start your apprenticeship in no time! We provide filters on our Training Collection to make it easy to find our many apprenticeship partner programs. Then, you can create a profile to save and access as needed. You can also use filters to explore earn-and-learn jobs that are available now.