Free guides · Students and parents · Grades 9–12 and young adults

Apprenticeships and trade careers: earn while you learn

An apprenticeship is a real job that includes structured training. Instead of paying for school first and working later, apprentices earn a wage from the start while learning from experienced professionals. It is a respected path, not a fallback.

How apprenticeships work

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a Registered Apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job training with a mentor, related classroom instruction, wage increases as skills grow, and a nationally recognized credential at the end. The Department of Labor reports that 94% of apprentices who complete a Registered Apprenticeship keep their employment afterwards.

Programs usually last one to five years, depending on the occupation. Many other countries have strong apprenticeship systems of their own, with different rules and names, so check your national or regional government's official apprenticeship website.

Which careers use apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are well known in the skilled trades, but they now cover far more:

• Construction and building trades: electrician, plumber, carpenter, HVAC technician, welder.
• Manufacturing and engineering technology: machinist, maintenance technician, mechatronics.
• Healthcare: medical assistant, pharmacy technician, and other support roles.
• Technology: IT support, cybersecurity, software development.
• Transportation, energy, hospitality, and business roles such as accounting support.

Is it a good fit?

An apprenticeship does not close the door to college. Some programs include college credit, and many people study further later in their careers.

• You learn best by doing and enjoy hands-on problem solving.
• You want to earn a wage and limit student debt.
• You are ready for a regular schedule, safety rules, and work that can be physically demanding in some trades.
• You are comfortable with a clear progression: apprentice, then journeyworker, and sometimes a master or supervisor level.

How to find one

• Search apprenticeship.gov, the Department of Labor's official site, or your state's apprenticeship agency.
• Ask your school counselor about pre-apprenticeship programs and career and technical education (CTE) courses.
• Contact local trade unions, employers and community colleges, which often run programs together.
• Prepare for the application: many programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent, basic math skills, a valid ID, and sometimes an aptitude test or interview.

Steps to take in high school

Take math seriously, especially algebra and geometry, which many trades use daily. Try CTE classes, summer jobs or job shadowing in a trade. Learn safety basics and keep a record of anything you build or fix. Talk to people who work in the field about a typical day, the physical demands and the long-term path.

Questions to ask a program

Clear answers help families compare programs fairly with college and other options, and make it easier to spot a program that is not a good fit.

• What is the starting wage, and how does it rise as I progress?
• How many hours of classroom instruction are included, and who pays for it?
• What credential will I earn at the end, and where is it recognized?
• What do graduates of this program usually go on to do?
• Are tools, uniforms or safety equipment provided, or do I need to buy them?
• What are the typical working hours and locations?

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