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An effective way to gain hands-on skills and experience in a trade or profession is called apprenticeships. For instance, some industries require that you complete them, and many companies use apprenticeship programs to train new employees and prepare them for a career. Learning more about these entry-level career programs can help you find the one that best meets your career goals.
In this article, we explain what an apprenticeship is, how these programs work, and the benefits of completing one. We’ll also discuss how to find apprenticeships and a few jobs that typically begin with one.
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.
How 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:
1. 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.
2. Professional job training
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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.
3. Related instruction
Many apprenticeships require apprentices to take academic courses to gain more knowledge related to the career. However, 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.
4. 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.
What Are The Types Of Apprenticeship?
There are three main types of apprenticeship:
1.Time-based: the apprentice’s progress is measured by the number of hours spent on the job and in the classroom.
2. Competency-based: the apprentice’s progress is measured by his or her ability to demonstrate the application of relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities.
3. Hybrid: the apprentice’s progress is measured through a combination of hours spent in the program and competencies demonstrated in the workplace.
The apprenticeship can be hosted by an employer or a sponsoring organization, such as a trade association, a labor organization, or an independent apprenticeship organization. Sponsors work with either the U.S. Department of Labor or their State Apprenticeship Agency to develop and register their program. The sponsor may provide all elements of the program themselves (on-the-job training and related technical instruction), or they may partner with career schools, community colleges or other education providers to deliver a comprehensive, apprentice-focused experience.
What Are The Benefits 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.
Education
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.
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.
How Do I 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.
Apply 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.
What are the careers that start with an apprenticeship?
The following positions typically begin with an apprenticeship:
Medical coding specialist
The national average salary of a medical coding salary is given as $52,746 per year.
Primary 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.
Elevator Technician
The national average salary of an elevator technician is $59,930 per year.
Primary 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.
Electrician
The national average salary of an electrician is $53,980 per year.
Primary 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.
In conclusion.
Apprenticeships stand as a powerful avenue for both individuals seeking skill mastery and businesses seeking future talent. These structured training programs, overseen by experienced professionals, offer apprentices the opportunity to gain hands-on expertise, build valuable networks, and secure a job upon completion.
The benefits extend to employers who gain access to fresh perspectives, cost-effective training, and potential loyal contributors to their organizations. Designing a successful apprenticeship program involves partnership establishment, program definition, recruitment, training, and post-evaluation to ensure a meaningful and impactful learning journey for all stakeholders involved.