What Is an Apprenticeship? (Plus Benefits and 11 Types)
Updated April 18, 2024
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What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship program prepares recent graduates for trade or professional jobs while meeting a company's need for highly skilled employees. It often combines practical, hands-on training with paid work, meaning you can receive a wage while working in the program. As an apprentice, you might be a new hire or a current employee who wants to advance in your career by gaining new skills. Apprenticeships encompass a wide variety of career paths and industries. While they continue to be an effective training strategy in industries such as manufacturing and construction, they're also available in sectors like information technology, health care, energy, transportation and logistics. The key skill you learn during your apprenticeship is likely one you can't learn on your own without watching and learning from someone else.Related: Apprenticeship vs. Trade School: Benefits and DifferencesHow does an apprenticeship work?
The structure of an apprenticeship is likely to vary, depending on the company offering it. Regardless of company or industry, there are a few common components of an apprenticeship, including the following:Business involvement
The companies that hire apprentices are responsible for developing their apprenticeship programs. To do this, they often collaborate with industry associations, apprenticeship councils or other organizations. Partnering with companies in the same industry can allow them to share resources and ideas for improving their programs. By collaborating with other organizations in their industry, companies can offer apprentices more comprehensive training and prepare them to work in any company within that industry. Related: How Does an Apprenticeship Work? (Plus Other FAQs)Professional job training
Apprenticeships provide hands-on job training, often by pairing apprentices with an experienced mentor. This mentor can guide them on how to best complete tasks, demonstrate how various processes work and educate them on the tools or resources to use in their job. Companies often conduct training in accordance with national industry standards. Some aspects of the apprenticeship may vary depending on the employer. For example, some employers may provide additional training, such as company culture training, so that apprentices understand how to conduct themselves in a professional work environment.Related: Apprenticeship vs. Internship: What's the Difference?Related instruction
Many apprenticeships require apprentices to take academic courses to gain more knowledge related to the career. Companies often collaborate with academic partners to develop the courses for their apprenticeship programs. Technical schools, community colleges or apprenticeship training schools could provide the related instruction. In some cases, the company itself may instruct its apprentices. Apprentices may receive related instruction on the job site, in a classroom or online.Related: FAQ: What Is a Degree Apprenticeship? (Plus American Options)Reward opportunities
Many apprenticeship programs pay their apprentices for their work, usually in the form of a stipend or an hourly wage. In addition, many programs provide pay increases for apprentices who achieve predetermined goals and learn new skills. This is often common in apprenticeships that last several years. Related: Rewards and Incentives in the Workplace (Advantages and Examples)Nationally accredited certification
The United States Department of Labor works with states to develop a list of nationally recognized apprenticeships. Apprenticeships that register with this department can offer nationally accredited certification to apprentices who complete the program. This certification is valid in all states participating in the national apprenticeship program and may be required, depending on the industry or particular occupation. Related: Learning Styles for Career DevelopmentBenefits of becoming an apprentice
Apprenticeships may last anywhere from one to six years and provide many benefits to people who want to work in a particular industry that requires an apprenticeship or those who don't have a college degree. Here are a few of the primary benefits that apprenticeships offer:Hands-on training
An apprenticeship can offer you the professional training necessary to work in your field of choice immediately. By involving yourself in the industry immediately, you can quickly develop the skills necessary for your preferred career. Several skilled trades also provide different levels of apprenticeships, allowing you to develop skills at a higher level. After completing the program, it is easier to apply for positions with more responsibilities and higher pay.Related: 11 Apprenticeship BenefitsEducation
Since they have an educational element, apprenticeships may be a useful alternative to earning a college degree, especially if you want to save money. These programs offer national recognition, and agencies regulate them to ensure that they provide apprentices with a high-quality educational experience. In addition, some apprenticeships allow you to earn college course credits that could contribute toward an academic degree.Related: 23 Practical Alternatives to College (Plus Helpful Tips)Earning potential
Many companies offer apprentices competitive wages. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, professionals who complete an apprenticeship earn an average starting salary of $72,000 per year. Over the course of their careers, apprentices may earn about $300,000 more than non-apprenticeship employees in similar fields.Employment opportunities
An apprenticeship program enables you to start your career with the company that operates the program. This can allow you to advance within the company more quickly without returning to school. In addition, earning a certified credential can help you appeal to employers across the country, so you can apply to employers that best match your interests and skills. Related: What Is Career Advancement? Definition and ExamplesHow to get an apprenticeship
Here are three steps you can take to enroll in your preferred apprenticeship and gain valuable transferable skills:Consider your career goals
Before applying for an apprenticeship, consider your long-term career goals to determine the position that suits you best. Consider the field of work, location and duration of potential apprenticeships and reflect on how they might align with your goals. In addition, thinking about the skills you want to develop may help you search for programs more easily.Determine the eligibility requirements
Once you find a program that interests you, review the description to determine if there are any requirements. Apprenticeship programs may have different eligibility requirements, such as age restrictions. Professions that require manual labor may require you to be physically fit. In addition, you may need a certain level of education to be eligible. Many employers offering apprenticeship programs require candidates to have at least a high school diploma, but some may also consider your grades or aptitude test results. You may also need some work experience or pre-apprenticeship training before qualifying. Review the requirements closely and ensure that you meet them before you apply. Related: How To Find an Apprenticeship Program To Boost Your CareerApply for the apprenticeship
If you meet all the eligibility requirements, you can submit your application for your preferred apprenticeship either on the company's website or through a career website or recruitment agency. Like with a regular entry-level job, companies typically require you to interview with them before considering you. Spend some time researching the company offering the apprenticeship so you can prepare for a potential interview and understand what to expect if you get an invitation into the program.11 careers that start with an apprenticeship
The following positions typically begin with an apprenticeship:For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries.1. Tailor
National average salary: $38,203 per yearPrimary duties: Tailors alter a variety of garments, including suits, dresses, blouses and pants. They use sewing machines and hand-sewing techniques to fix clothing to ensure it fits properly. Tailors may also measure customers, help them select fabrics and meet with them for fittings.2. Medical coding specialist
National average salary: $52,746 per yearPrimary duties: Coding specialists, or medical coders, enter patients' information into databases. They process documents related to their admission and discharge, maintain current records and retrieve information for medical professionals. They also generate invoices to send to patients after receiving treatment.3. Elevator technician
National average salary: $59,930 per yearPrimary duties: Elevator technicians install and repair elevators, perform routine elevator maintenance and work with elevator control systems, motors, cables and doors. They assemble new elevator or chairlift parts and troubleshoot mechanical failures. They may also maintain supplies and order new parts if necessary.4. Electrician
National average salary: $53,980 per yearPrimary duties: Electricians install and maintain electrical power in homes and buildings through various control, wiring and lighting systems. They check electrical components for problems, repair equipment and ensure each component complies with federal and state regulations. Electricians may also test equipment to ensure it functions properly and perform regular inspections.Read more: Learn About Being an ElectricianDo you need help with your resume?
7 more careers that start with an apprenticeship
These are more careers that you can start with an apprenticeship:5. Sheet metal worker6. Welder7. Construction worker8. Carpenter9. Lineperson10. Auto mechanic11. Tattoo artistSinead will let you know about various trade jobs and the best tactics to step into the trade industry.
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