Jeff Tompkins is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language living in New York City. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1967 and was educated at Brown University and University College London. His articles and reviews have appeared in.
Jeff Tompkins ContributorJeff Tompkins is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language living in New York City. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1967 and was educated at Brown University and University College London. His articles and reviews have appeared in.
Written By Jeff Tompkins ContributorJeff Tompkins is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language living in New York City. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1967 and was educated at Brown University and University College London. His articles and reviews have appeared in.
Jeff Tompkins ContributorJeff Tompkins is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language living in New York City. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1967 and was educated at Brown University and University College London. His articles and reviews have appeared in.
Contributor Veronica Beagle Managing EditorVeronica Beagle is the managing editor for Education at Forbes Advisor. She completed her master’s in English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Before coming to Forbes Advisor she worked on education related content at HigherEducation.com and Re.
Veronica Beagle Managing EditorVeronica Beagle is the managing editor for Education at Forbes Advisor. She completed her master’s in English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Before coming to Forbes Advisor she worked on education related content at HigherEducation.com and Re.
Veronica Beagle Managing EditorVeronica Beagle is the managing editor for Education at Forbes Advisor. She completed her master’s in English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Before coming to Forbes Advisor she worked on education related content at HigherEducation.com and Re.
Veronica Beagle Managing EditorVeronica Beagle is the managing editor for Education at Forbes Advisor. She completed her master’s in English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Before coming to Forbes Advisor she worked on education related content at HigherEducation.com and Re.
Updated: Apr 10, 2023, 3:40pm
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If you want to start a career but aren’t ready to take on four years of college and potential debt, an apprenticeship could be the path for you. Apprenticeship programs combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training under the supervision of an experienced mentor—all while letting you earn a salary.
While apprenticeship programs are most common in skilled trades like construction and plumbing, they are on the rise in sectors like healthcare and information technology as well.
Data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that the number of active apprenticeships has shot up by more than 100% in the past decade, suggesting that apprenticeships are becoming more competitive. In this article, we outline a few basic steps to show you how to get the right apprenticeship for you and give you a leg up on the competition.
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An apprenticeship is a training program in which apprentices get paid to learn a trade by working full time under the supervision of a professional within that trade.
Apprentices acquire hands-on skills through both on-the-job and classroom training, earning an official industry credential at the end of the apprenticeship. Also, unlike many internships, apprenticeships pay wages that rise as the apprentice learns new skills.
Possible downsides to apprenticeships include potential competitiveness and their relatively narrow focus. Rather than equipping you with broadly applicable skills and work experience, an apprenticeship prepares you for one specific occupation, so you need to ensure that occupation is the one you want to pursue.
Length: Registered apprenticeship programs commonly take four years to complete, depending on the profession or the employer. For some occupations, an apprenticeship may take as long as six years—or as little as 12 months.
Common Fields for Apprenticeship: Apprenticeships are common among professions like carpenter, construction worker, electrician, ironworker, plumber, sheet metal worker and welder. The practice has recently grown to include the healthcare and information technology fields.
Requirements to Enter an Apprenticeship: According to U.S. government regulations, an apprentice must be at least 16 years old except when an applicable state or local law requires a minimum age of 18 (in more hazardous professions, for instance). Sponsors cannot stipulate minimum qualifications that might have a discriminatory effect.
Common Credentials Upon Completion: After finishing a registered apprenticeship program, apprentices receive a nationally recognized certificate of completion as evidence of their skills.
Average Apprenticeship Wage: In the early stages of their apprenticeships, apprentices usually earn about half of what a fully qualified worker makes. If “half” sounds discouraging, bear in mind two things.
First, apprentices’ pay increases as their training progresses. Second, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that many professions with apprenticeships earn relatively high wages. As of 2021, for instance, the median annual wage for electricians was $60,040—well above $45,760, the median annual salary for all workers.
Apprenticeships are paid and lead to full-time employment. Internships are often unpaid and do not guarantee a full-time job.
The second major difference is duration. Apprenticeships are long-term undertakings that last at least a year and typically require about four years to complete. Internships are much shorter-term, with one to three months being a standard duration.
An apprenticeship involves structured training from an experienced mentor with a focus on mastering specific skills needed to enter a profession. Internships tend to be concerned with entry-level general work experience.
Apprenticeships lead to an industry-recognized credential, while internships are for work experience rather than culminating in an official credential.
As you begin your search, remember that apprenticeships take place in person, so it’s essential to find an opportunity in your local area. The resources we cite below can help simplify that process.
According to the BLS, occupations that commonly require apprenticeships include boilermaker, carpenter, electrician, ironworker, masonry worker, plumber, pipefitter, steamfitter and sheet metal worker.
The U.S. government’s ApprenticeshipUSA website also lists advanced manufacturing, agriculture, cybersecurity, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, telecommunications and transportation as fields that offer apprenticeships.
The three web resources below should help anyone begin and refine their search for an apprenticeship program. Four-year and community colleges in your area are likely to be good sources of information, too—inquire whether they have career centers that non-students can visit if you don’t attend one of those schools. If you’re still in high school, consult with a guidance counselor about potential apprenticeship opportunities in your area.
This U.S. government site allows you to search by occupation or location (city, state or ZIP). ApprenticeshipUSA also lists the apprenticeships that are currently the most popular around the country, giving prospective candidates an idea of where they might find apprenticeship availability.
CareerOneStop’s search tool allows you to find the nearest American Job Center. American Job Centers are a network of state, regional and local organizations that provide job hunters with training and other assistance.
Indeed’s filter sends you straight to the relevant listings. You can then sort by date and narrow down to the appropriate location by entering your city or ZIP code in a marked search box at the top of the page.
As we note above, the minimum starting age for registered apprenticeships is 16, though in certain occupations, the minimum age is 18. Additional qualifications vary by apprenticeship program and may relate to education (e.g., requiring a high school diploma or the equivalent) or the ability to perform essential job functions.
Some apprentices get their start in pre-apprenticeship programs, which help applicants fulfill the apprenticeship’s entry requirements and bolster the skills they’ll need.
Pre-apprenticeships sometimes target specific populations such as veterans or young people from communities that have traditionally been shut out of the labor force. Two good resources for pre-apprenticeship information are the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps, which provides vocational training to people between the ages of 16 and 24, and the nonprofit YouthBuild, which offers courses, counseling and training to unemployed young adults.
Standard interview skills apply when interviewing for an apprenticeship. Arrive ahead of time, give compelling answers and maintain a professional demeanor. More specifically, think of challenges you’ve overcome and skills you’ve acquired that are relevant to the occupation at hand.
Once you complete your apprenticeship program, the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship or your local State Apprenticeship Agency will grant you a nationally recognized certificate of completion.
