You may have heard about apprenticeships from career coaches or your own research. An apprenticeship program trains you to become skilled in a trade or profession. Apprenticeship programs typically combine on-the-job training with more traditional learning. Curious if an apprenticeship is right for you? We can help you find out based on where you currently are in your career journey!
The Benefits of Joining an Apprenticeship Program
An apprenticeship program can help you find a well-paying job while gaining hands-on experience with on-the-job training. Apprenticeship programs provide benefits like increased skills, higher wages, career advancement, and nationally recognized certifications.
By completing an apprenticeship, you also have the added benefit of both a clear career and salary trajectory. Did you know that nearly 9 out of 10 apprentices are employed after completing their program? An apprenticeship allows you to have a guaranteed paycheck that increases as you advance through the program, as well as once you’ve completed your certification. Registered apprenticeships provide nationally-recognized certifications and meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). USDOL reports that the national average starting salary after an apprentice completes a program is $77,000, and your salary will only keep growing throughout your career!
We know that there are a lot of stressors that you hear about—inflation, increasing home prices, high gas prices, and raising interest rates. If you have personal goals that are tied to your professional goals, remember to be kind to yourself and know that everything happens when the timing is right. To equip yourself to handle conversations around the holidays with families or friends surrounding your career, remember that you can control how much you share and how you talk about your plans. While you can’t control what responses will be, you can remind yourself that you have the ability to maintain a positive mindset. Don’t let circumstances out of your control impact your motivation to reach your goals.
Apprenticeships Compared to Other Training Programs
As with many other career training programs, apprenticeships require commitment. Remember, you are taking on a job while also training for the job. While that may sound confusing, consider that doing the work is a big part of the on-the-job training benefit of apprenticeships. This also means that typically, by completing the apprenticeship program, you are guaranteed a job.
Other career training programs usually do not provide a steady salary during training, unlike apprenticeship programs. Many training or certification programs can be expensive and more time intensive. Internships are typically short term (1-3 months) and apprenticeships are longer term (1-3 years). Internships are often unstructured and focus on entry-level or general experience, while apprenticeships include a structured plan, focusing on mastering specific skills of the trade. Many internships are also unpaid training opportunities, while apprenticeships are paid experiences often leading to full-time employment.
If you’re considering going to college or furthering your education through traditional higher education, college courses can help set the groundwork for future employment. While college can generally help you prepare for the workforce, you usually have to wait longer until you are able to apply your skills and find a job. Thanks to on-the-job training, with an apprenticeship you are able to apply what you learn every day in a profession of your choosing.
Ready for an Apprenticeship? Get Organized!
If you are ready to make the jump into completing your apprenticeship, make sure to set realistic expectations. Remember that you are about to start both a full-time job and full-time training. Organize any equipment you may need for your apprenticeship, make sure to understand your potential commute, learn how to manage your time, and research if there are specific technology requirements.
With the help of SkillUp, you’ll be ready to start your apprenticeship in no time! Explore our many apprenticeship partner programs, then create a profile to save and access as needed! Get started HERE.
Learn more about SkillUp and our training catalog here.
