Youth apprenticeships programs provide career skills and an income.
There are several ways that younger people, including those in high school or college, can gain skills for a future career or even an income, and youth apprenticeship programs can meet that need. A number of companies, non-profits or charities offer opportunities to younger workers to help them gain skills, an income, and maybe build loyalty to the corporation who gave them the position. In general, the youth apprenticeship programs listed below are “win-win” for both the worker/trainee and corporation.
These programs are offered by a number of corporations, including IT companies, high-tech manufacturers, skilled trade jobs, health care centers and more. Learn more below on what youth apprenticeship programs are, how they work, and the advantages to them.
Advantages of an apprenticeship program for high school or college students
Statistics indicate that a typical undergraduate college degree now takes over 4 years to complete and may take as long as six years. The average annual cost for an in-state student to attend a public college is more than $25,000. For many high school students, the option of spending four to six more years in a classroom after graduation and accumulating tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt before even starting a career is neither attractive nor feasible.
The expanding availability of apprenticeship programs for younger people in many industries is providing an increasingly attractive and beneficial alternative to prepare for and obtain a personally satisfying as well as financially rewarding career. Numerous businesses are changing their hiring habits and are more frequently examining the specific skills job applicants possess rather than focusing on how they obtained such skills.
Apprenticeship programs have traditionally been offered in many labor-intensive trades such as plumbing, construction, carpentry, and welding. Some IT fields have also been dabbling in the youth programs. Today, major employers including Amazon, UPS, Tesla, Google, Facebook, and GM (among many others) offer youth apprenticeship programs. Now they are wide ranging. Some of the industries providing apprenticeships range from information technology, software programming, and cyber security to healthcare, banking, hospitality, and insurance.
How youth apprenticeships operate
Youth apprenticeship programs combine classroom and technical instruction with paid employment. Unlike college, where you pay big bucks to receive an education, in an apprenticeship, you earn an income while you learn. Youth apprenticeships are targeted toward people 16-21 years old and in high school, college, or a vocational program.
High schools and even some middle schools may offer pre-apprenticeship programs in which students take courses related to their intended field. For high school students, these classes usually count towards graduation requirements. Actual on-the-job training typically doesn't begin for apprentices until they are 16 years old.
The work experience for students beginning an apprenticeship in high school is generally flexible. Employment typically takes place outside of regular school hours or as a summer job. Alternatively, the school and business might structure the apprenticeship as a formal work-study program in which some work takes place during the traditional school day.
The classroom portion of an apprenticeship may be provided by the company, a community college, or a technical school, with credits possibly being applied toward a college degree. The structured on-the-job learning portion allows apprentices to earn a paycheck that may increase in value as their skills increase.
Specific requirements of youth apprenticeship programs vary widely, whether they are offered for free by a non-profit or a corporation. As a general requirement, you must be able to meet the physical demands of the work involved.
Some businesses require apprentices to be 18 years old, while others accept younger people. Some programs require that the apprentice be a high school graduate or have an equivalent degree, while other apprenticeships are available to students still in high school. In some cases, completion of a pre-apprenticeship might be required.
The length of an apprenticeship varies from several months to six years depending on the employer, industry, and specific program requirements. This timeframe can be up to negotiation as well. Some students may be able to complete an apprenticeship during high school, but some apprenticeships may extend beyond graduation.
Some corporations, such as truck driving companies, also provide paid internships, including for a CDL license. They help adults, older teens and others get their commercial driver’s license. Companies such as Schneider National and others offer paid programs, and more on paid CDL training near you.
After completing and submitting the paperwork for an apprenticeship, you may be interviewed by a potential employer. Or the company you were an apprentice for may just higher you on the spot! You may also be required to purchase supplies, tools, or safety gear.
Once accepted into an apprenticeship program, you may be asked to sign a formal agreement, much like a long-term employment contract. Salary, benefits, and income criteria are always open to negotiation as well. The agreement will outline program details, expectations, and requirements to earn a final credential or certificate.
Benefits of apprenticeship programs for younger people
An apprenticeship can jump-start your career by providing practical and valuable work experience in your chosen field. It can ease the transition from attending school to starting a career.
If you prefer hands-on learning over sitting in a classroom, an apprenticeship will allow you to use and develop new skills in the workplace right away. You'll receive training to meet current industry and company standards and acquire the practical expertise that potential employers may specifically be seeking in new employees.
You will work closely with a mentor as well as the co-workers at the company, allowing you to learn cutting-edge skills desired by employers. Someone will always be available to answer questions, give career advice and provide direction. The mentor can also help you to begin building a network of contacts that may prove valuable later in your career.
You get paid for learning from day one. As a major benefit of an apprenticeship is that the corporation will pay some type of income. If you are attending college while apprenticing, you may significantly reduce or eliminate college debt rather than beginning a career with a substantial student loan bill.
Some apprenticeships provide health care insurance, retirement plans or other benefits along with a paycheck. The education and training you receive may apply as college credit toward getting an associate's or bachelor's degree.
An apprenticeship can help you refine your career goals. You may start an apprenticeship thinking you are interested in one aspect of an industry and then discover another area that is more intriguing. High school and college students can benefit from this approach, as it can be a great experience to determine what may interest you or not. Upon completing an apprenticeship, you'll know what to expect from a career in your chosen field.
According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, over 90% of apprentices who complete a program become employed with an average annual salary of about $70,000. Persons who start their careers as apprentices can expect to earn, on average, about $300,000 more during their working years compared to persons who were not trained as apprentices.
Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you will receive a credential such as a license or certification that is nationally recognized. This can benefit you for future careers and potential employers as well. The certifications/accreditation will allow you to seek and obtain skilled positions nationwide as well as with other corporation.
Apprenticeships vs. Trade Schools and Internships for Younger People
While apprenticeships provide one alternative to preparing for a career, other potential pathways include attending a trade school or participating in an internship. When considering your choices, you should carefully examine the differences as well as the pro-cons to being an apprentice as a younger person.
A trade school can provide vocational training in a specific area, much like an apprenticeship. However, trade schools may focus more on developing general skills. That can be great for younger people or students who are building their future, but specialization is becoming more critical and important. Apprenticeship with a specific company will teach you the current and specific skills required by that business.
In a trade school, as in college, you will pay to learn and may acquire a sizeable student loan debt. As an apprentice, you will be paid while you learn, resulting in greater financial stability while developing your skills.
Although trade schools may have connections to professionals in various industries, most learning will likely take place in a classroom or lab setting. In an apprenticeship, you will work at a business or in the field interacting with professionals and co-workers and obtaining real networking opportunities. You will be able to directly demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
While internships offer practical training, many do not provide financial compensation. Apprentices are always paid some form of income as well as maybe benefits. This is maybe the main difference between an internship and being an apprentice.
Many internships require applicants to be studying a specific field and in college. Youth apprenticeship programs are available to high school students and recent graduates who may not have studied in that field or worked in the industry. Some are even offered to middle school students as companies, as well as non-profits, continue to offer more services.
Internships typically run from six months to a year. Apprenticeships usually require more time to complete but provide more extensive training and education resulting in professional accreditation. Completing an internship rarely provides an official credential or certification.
Finding Apprenticeships for younger people
A variety of free resources are available to help you begin the search for an apprenticeship in your chosen field. Some of the main programs from companies, non-profits, and other agencies are below.
Contact your State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA). These offices help sponsors to design, register and launch youth as well as adult apprenticeship programs in dozens of states. The federal government administers programs in the other states. The Department of Labor's extensive resources include an apprenticeship finder and can be reviewed at www.apprenticeship.gov.
The Urban League, which is located in most cities, offers a wide variety of apprenticeship programs, for both youth and adults as well. Examples include Urban Apprenticeships Jobs Program (UAJP), Job and Workforce Development programs and more. A major focus is on minorities, African Americans, people from inner cities and the disadvantaged. Learn more on Urban League youth programs.
The federal government, and Workforce Development as well as One Stop job centers have information on internships for youth (as well as adults). A wide range of employment, career counseling, interview and other programs are offered. The main goal is to help people of all ages, from teens to college students to adults, gain new skills and opportunities, including internships. Read more on job training programs.
Goodwill has information on youth internship programs. This is a national non-profit organization with thousands of centers nationwide. There is vocational programs, computer coding for high school or college students, job fairs and internships arranged with local or national corporation and more. Read more on Goodwill training programs.
If you're in high school, there may be a counselor designated to help students locate and apply for apprenticeships. Contact local community, vocational and technical colleges. They often actively coordinate with the local business community to offer apprenticeship programs and provide related classroom instruction.
Contact local businesses, non-profit organizations, corporation, or labor unions to ask about youth apprenticeships. In general, corporations like to bring in middle, high school or college students as it benefits the company as well – many younger people may decide to build their career with the company after the apprenticeship ends. There are also IT, computer networking, internet and other companies that need young workers to gain programming skills, and find free computer coding opportunities.
Conduct a general online search using the keywords "youth apprenticeship" or go to a specific job website such as Indeed.com internships or Monster.com and search your chosen industry using the terms "apprentice" or "apprenticeship." These are two of the largest aggregators in the country. Find a list of current youth internship programs at Indeed.
While college degrees remain essential for some professions, apprenticeships offer an alternative and cost-effective pathway to obtain the expertise required in many industries. Youth apprenticeships are growing in availability and popularity, providing young people a way to minimize student loan debt, remain financially stable, and acquire valuable skills needed to obtain high-paying jobs and rewarding careers.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
