Earn while you learn on your way to a well-paying in-demand career.
An apprenticeship can be an affordable entry point to a high-paying job without the typical student debt associated with college.
How do apprenticeships work?
Apprenticeships are based on an “earn while you learn” model and function as paid jobs alongside skill training to reach mastery level of knowledge in a career over a period of years. Apprentices start at a “beginner” level of pay, then earn increases as they meet skill standards.
Training includes both supervised on-the-job training at the worksite, and formal education that may be taught on site or at a training provider’s location.
While many apprenticeships are available in construction and manufacturing fields, they are also available in a wide variety of industries such as information technology, finance and business, healthcare, hospitality, and transportation.
Learning on the job is an effective way to enter a field: 94% of individuals who complete an apprenticeship retain their employment, with an average annual salary of $84,000.
How can you find an apprenticeship?
Applying for an apprenticeship is like applying for a job. You can look for apprenticeship opportunities in your area by searching on Apprenticeship.gov, selecting the “career seeker path”, and entering your location and a career field, such as “carpentry”, then completing an application. You can also search a job bank using keywords like “pharmacy technician apprentice”.
Many unions also sponsor apprenticeships. You can find unions that offer apprenticeships in your area by searching “Unions + (your city)” in your browser and looking for “apprenticeship” on their websites.
For hands-on assistance with finding apprenticeships, contact a local American Job Center.
