What about College?

Actually, many people consider the Apprenticeship Programs to be the “Original Four-Year Degree”.

You may be thinking that your student needs to attend a college or university to have a successful career.  Many parents feel the same way.  While many college degrees still offer fantastic opportunities, some are of little economic value to the student after graduation and the four-year university track is not for everybody.  

Many apprentices are dual enrolled in a Community College, where they can earn college credit.

Most people leave their apprenticeships with little, if any educational debt.  Contrast this with the tens of thousands of dollars many people have after financing a four-year education.  Nationally, people graduating from four-year public colleges in 2004 had an average $17,600 in student loans.  The Apprenticeship route is looking more attractive all the time!

You and your student should carefully consider the following information.

Benefits to the worker

1. Through the Apprenticeship Agreement, an apprentice, as an employee, receives supervised, structured on-the-job training combined with related technical instruction. The instruction, usually classroom study, in a specific occupation can be held at public secondary or post-secondary schools, employer or union-sponsored schools or community colleges.
2. Some registered apprenticeship programs also have dual accreditation through post-secondary institutions which apply credit for apprenticeship completion towards an Associate Degree.
3. A progressively increasing schedule of wages is based on the journeyworker's hourly wage of the apprentice's occupation. These increases occur with satisfactory progress in both related instruction and on-the-job training until wages reach 85 to 90 percent of the rate paid the journeyworker in the occupation.
4. Upon completing a one to five year (2,000 hours to 10,000 hours) apprenticeship, the worker receives an Apprenticeship Completion Certificate and is recognized as a qualified journeyworker nationwide. This Certificate is one of the oldest, most basic, and most highly portable industry credentials in use today. The Certificate is issued by a federally approved State Apprenticeship Council or Agency or, in those States not having such an agency, by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.
5. Registered apprentices/trainees pay substantially reduced tuition fees for attendance at related instruction classes held in community colleges or technical colleges.
6. Registered apprentices/trainees are covered by state industrial insurance while in attendance at related instruction classes.