Why You Should Consider An Apprenticeship

Starting a new career is a challenge. There are endless options to choose from. There is competition with other job seekers. There’s the need to build up skills and experience. There are the applications and the interview.

It’s no wonder that many choose career paths based on what is well known and obvious.

However, you may not know that there are traditional paths updated to meet the challenges of the contemporary job market. One of these is the process of an apprenticeship.

One of the oldest forms of job education, apprenticeships were once thought to be useful for certain industries, mainly in the trades, but lately have taken a more expansive role in a variety of industries.

What Is an Apprenticeship?

According to Apprenticeship.gov, an apprenticeship “is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, mentorship, and a portable credential.”

Essentially an apprenticeship is a form of on-the-job training where the company you work for takes an active role in your career education. In an apprenticeship, you are paid by your company to work.

Almost always, apprentices are assigned mentors to work alongside and education comes from both work and classroom-based training.

Apprenticeships are highly structured and resourced. Due to this, apprenticeships come with certifications once you finish your training. Most apprenticeships are also accredited for similar reasons.

In the United States, the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship provides employee and employer resources to regulate the standards of apprenticeship.

An apprenticeship is a guided process where the length of time varies based on the industry and role. Some last for several months while others for a handful of years. At the end of an apprenticeship, you become fully qualified and recognized by your industry as an established professional in your field.

A Brief History of Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships have been around since the Middle Ages. Europe during this time operated under a guild system, which was a united association organized by their trade and craft.

Guild members had specific skills that could only be performed by members of that guild. So to learn a craft, young people, generally children and teenagers, would become apprentices to a guild member.

The process was quite rigorous in the past. Apprentices lived and worked alongside their mentors for several years before they were allowed to perform work on their own.

Even as the guild system faded away, apprenticeships remained the standard way for a person to learn a trade or craft. Expert artisans in trade, craft, and manufacturing industries would take on an apprentice as an assistant to their work in return for their education and provision.

Eventually, apprenticeships became more standardized. Apprentices were granted more freedoms, benefits, and protection while still receiving the industry recognition required to work. What evolved is the system we see today.

Apprenticeships vs. Internships

You might think that an apprenticeship sounds like a paid internship. You wouldn’t be wrong with this assumption. Both are common forms of on-the-job training and career education. However, there are key differences between the two.

Apprenticeships are always paid and are treated as full-time jobs. Meanwhile, internships are usually unpaid and part-time. What’s more, apprenticeships are paid by their company and are treated as an employee, whereas internships can be organized through third parties such as a college.

Another huge difference is the length of time required for each. In an apprenticeship, your training lasts as long as it takes to be fully independent in your craft. Internships are usually shorter and provide skills development but not necessarily complete certification.

The structure of an apprenticeship is more formalized. You are given a mentor to shadow and learn from as you must also take relevant classes along with your site training to become self-sufficient. Internships do not require this level of organization.

As you might be able to tell, because apprenticeships are more formal they are more of a commitment. Unlike an internship, which offers you the low-risk chance to try out a field, an apprenticeship expects you to commit to a particular career.

Therefore, apprenticeships should only be considered if you feel very strongly about your career goals.

How Does an Apprenticeship Work?

In an apprenticeship, you are hired by the company, which means you’ll get paid, given a mentor, you’ll learn on the job, and will receive relevant supplemental classroom training. In the end, you are certified to work in your field. However, there are several different models of approach and all are organized differently.

There are time-based and competency-based programs that require you to fulfill a certain amount of hours or pass certain tests to finish the program. Some programs have direct entry pre-apprentice preparation courses, while others front-load the classroom lessons before you get to work.

Classroom courses provide education relevant to your field. They can also provide supplemental material to make you a more well-rounded professional. Some apprentice programs even allow you to take college courses to acquire credits.

The traditional apprenticeship model is a combination of time and competency-based requisites. A typical apprentice sees their time alternate between classrooms and site training. In this model, you get to work out the things you learn in real-time.

Mentors and other members of the organization will gauge your development and make adjustments as necessary. Naturally, as the apprenticeship progresses, you are expected to become more self-sufficient.

When the hours are met and the exams are passed, you become certified by your organization and accredited by the Department of Labor. From here you can become a full-on professional, sometimes known as a journeyman, and work your way to becoming a master craftsman, if that title is available in your field.

Types of Apprenticeships

With the different program possibilities come different types of apprenticeships. In the United States, the Department of Labor broadly places accredited apprenticeships into two categories: Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAP) and Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP).

IRAPs are programs that are considered high quality because they have been recognized by third-party Standards Recognition Entities (SREs). SREs are qualified by the Department of Labor to certified the standards and practices of IRAPs designed to provide greater flexibility that expands the apprenticeship model. This helps meet the needs of a diverse workforce.

RAPs meanwhile follow a specific model of apprenticeship that has been approved by the Department of Labor or a state’s apprentice agency. RAPs are registered with the Federal Government and follow strict guidelines to ensure high-quality training. In return, RAPs are granted resources and funding for apprentices and employers.

Apprenticeships are also broken down by the type of industry and role. For example, there are apprenticeship programs in the United States that focus on higher youth and formerly incarcerated individuals to help them join the workforce. There are also many different types of apprenticeships found for blue-collar and white-collar professions.

Why Become an Apprentice?

The path of apprenticeship is not for everyone. Nonetheless, it is a great opportunity for those who have the right set of professional needs and skills. Apprenticeships are best for people who want to commit to a career but need help getting started.

A big thing to consider is the structure of education. The apprentice career path provides an alternative to going to a university or other forms of higher education. Its biggest benefit is that you will be paid instead of paying for your education.

Apprenticeships are also great for those who learn best by doing the work in real-time. Along with the experiential education, you will receive immediate feedback from your mentor or organization. For hands-on learning styles, apprenticeships are a great choice of education.

The guidance and resources you receive during an apprenticeship ensure that you will come out of it as a highly qualified professional with skills relevant to your future career. These kinds of skills make you a competitive member of the workforce.

Apprentices are likely to make more money than their non-apprentice peers when they enter their first profession because they have the experience. As time goes on, those who were former apprentices can expect to see larger increases in their income compared to their non-apprentice peers for similar reasons.

An apprenticeship provides a strong network and a well-defined career path that evolves into a stable career. It is the perfect fit for someone who thrives from experiential learning and seeks a targeted career.

How to Become an Apprentice

Online job listings can help you find apprenticeship opportunities. Apprentice.gov also is a great place to start. The first step to becoming an apprentice is knowing what field you want to enter.

From there you’ll want to look for programs specific to that career. Many companies and unions enlist apprentices, so always feel free to inquire with the organizations you are interested in.

Apprenticeships can be competitive, like any educational or professional opportunity, so be prepared. An organization will want to see that you are committed based on your previous skills and experience.

There may be certain eligibility requirements so make sure you fulfill what is necessary. Once you get into the program and start following their system, you’ll be guided down a new career path.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.