What are Apprenticeships
What Is an Apprenticeship?
Earn While You Learn—and Build Skills for a Career
An apprenticeship is a way to get a job, earn a paycheck, learn through real work, and develop skills for a career at the same time.
Instead of completing all of your education or training before entering the workplace, apprenticeship combines employment and learning. Apprentices develop skills on the job while receiving instruction and guidance from experienced workers.
Apprenticeship is well known in construction and the skilled trades, but opportunities extend much further. Apprenticeships can be found in health care, advanced manufacturing, information technology, cybersecurity, transportation, energy, business, education, hospitality and many other fields.
And apprenticeship does not necessarily mean choosing work instead of college. Some programs incorporate college courses, college credit, certificates or degrees.
🟩 Quick Answer: What Is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a structured earn-and-learn pathway that combines work with training.
Depending on the program, an apprentice may receive:
💵 Paid employment — Earn wages while learning an occupation.
🛠️ On-the-job learning — Develop skills through actual work.
📚 Related instruction — Learn the technical knowledge behind the occupation.
👥 Mentoring — Learn with guidance from experienced workers.
📈 Increasing skills and wages — Registered Apprenticeships include progressive wage increases as apprentices develop their skills.
🎓 Credentials — Programs may lead to occupational credentials, certifications, licenses, college credit or degrees.
🟦 How Is Apprenticeship Different From Traditional Education?
A traditional education-to-employment pathway might look like:
Education → Training → Look for a Job → Gain Experience
Apprenticeship can combine these stages:
Get Hired → Earn + Learn → Gain Experience → Build a Career
That is one of the defining features of apprenticeship.
An apprentice isn't only studying an occupation. The apprentice is learning the occupation through actual work.
This can allow someone to build education, skills, work experience and earnings at the same time.
💼 Is an Apprenticeship a Real Job?
For Registered Apprenticeship, yes.
Registered Apprentices are paid employees. They work and develop occupational skills under a structured training program.
Apprentices may begin by performing basic tasks under close supervision. As their knowledge and abilities develop, they can take on increasingly complex responsibilities.
Other employer programs may also use the term apprenticeship. Their structures can vary, which is why it is important to determine exactly what kind of program you are considering.
Always ask whether an opportunity is a Registered Apprenticeship and who will employ you.
💵 Do Apprentices Get Paid?
Registered Apprenticeships are paid.
Registered Apprenticeship also includes a system for progressive wage increases as apprentices develop skills.
The amount you can earn varies considerably based on factors such as:
- Occupation
- Employer
- Location
- Experience
- Program structure
- Stage of apprenticeship
Some apprentices may also receive employee benefits.
Before accepting an apprenticeship, ask about the starting wage, wage progression, benefits and any costs you will be expected to pay.
🟪 Are There Different Types of Apprenticeships?
Yes. The word apprenticeship is used for several different kinds of programs and pathways.
🟩 Registered Apprenticeship
A Registered Apprenticeship Program, or RAP, meets established standards and is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or a recognized State Apprenticeship Agency.
Registered Apprenticeship combines paid employment, structured on-the-job learning, related instruction, mentorship, progressive wages and a recognized completion credential.
🟦 Employer Apprenticeships
Some employers operate apprenticeship or structured earn-and-learn programs that are not Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
These programs can provide valuable training and employment, but their requirements, credentials and structures can differ.
🎓 Degree-Connected Apprenticeships
Some apprenticeship programs connect employment and occupational training with college education.
Depending on the program, an apprentice may be able to work, earn wages, gain experience and work toward a college degree at the same time.
🧑🎓 Youth Apprenticeship
Youth apprenticeship allows younger people, including some high school students, to begin developing occupational skills through work and education.
Program structures vary by state, school, employer and occupation.
🟧 Pre-Apprenticeship
Pre-apprenticeship generally prepares someone to enter an apprenticeship rather than being the apprenticeship job itself.
Programs may provide basic occupational skills, safety training, academic preparation, career exploration and connections with apprenticeship sponsors.
Explore the Types of Apprenticeships Guide →
🟦 Is Apprenticeship Only for Construction and Skilled Trades?
No.
Apprenticeship has deep roots in skilled trades, and occupations such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters continue to provide important apprenticeship opportunities.
But apprenticeship has expanded across many career fields.
Examples can include:
🏗️ Construction & Skilled Trades
⚙️ Advanced Manufacturing
💻 Information Technology & Cybersecurity
🏥 Health Care
⚡ Energy & Utilities
🚚 Transportation & Logistics
🚗 Automotive & Equipment
🍽️ Culinary & Hospitality
💼 Business & Financial Services
👶 Education & Child Care
🔬 Science & Technical Fields
🏛️ Government & Public Service
The availability of apprenticeships varies considerably by occupation and location.
Explore Apprenticeship Careers →
🎓 Do I Have to Choose Between College and Apprenticeship?
Not necessarily.
It is easy to think of the decision as:
College OR Apprenticeship
But some programs provide another possibility:
College + Apprenticeship
Community colleges and other educational institutions can participate in apprenticeship by providing classroom education, Related Technical Instruction, certificates, college credit and degree pathways.
The employer or apprenticeship sponsor generally provides the job, while a college or another education provider may provide some or all of the related instruction.
Some apprentices can therefore combine:
Paid Employment + Experience + Occupational Training + College Credit or a Degree
Not every apprenticeship provides college credit or leads to a degree, so always verify the specific program.
Explore Apprenticeships and College: How They Work Together →
🟧 How Do I Find an Apprenticeship?
There is no single source containing every apprenticeship opportunity.
A strong search can include:
🔎 Apprenticeship.com — Explore apprenticeship careers, state resources, education pathways and apprenticeship opportunities.
🇺🇸 Apprenticeship.gov — Search apprenticeship opportunities and identify Registered Apprenticeship partners.
🗺️ State apprenticeship agencies — Find official apprenticeship resources and programs in your state.
💼 Employers and apprenticeship sponsors — Search directly for organizations recruiting apprentices.
🏫 Community colleges — Ask about apprenticeship programs, RTI partnerships and employers working with the college.
👥 Unions and industry associations — Some operate or connect applicants with apprenticeship programs.
🧭 American Job Centers and workforce agencies — Find local employment, training and apprenticeship assistance.
One important search strategy is to look for programs and sponsors as well as current job openings. An apprenticeship program may exist even when it is not recruiting new apprentices today.
Read: How to Find an Apprenticeship →
🟥 How Can I Tell Whether an Apprenticeship Is a Good Opportunity?
Don't rely on the word “apprenticeship” alone.
Ask the employer or program:
- Is this a Registered Apprenticeship?
- Who will employ me?
- Will I be paid?
- What is the starting wage?
- How will my wages increase?
- What will I learn on the job?
- Who provides the related instruction?
- Will I have a mentor?
- How long is the program?
- What credential will I earn?
- Can I earn college credit?
- Can the training count toward a degree?
- What benefits are provided?
- Are there tuition, tools, books or other costs?
- What happens after I complete the program?
A good apprenticeship opportunity should provide clear answers about its employment, training and expected outcomes.
Read: How to Evaluate an Apprenticeship Program →
🟩 Key Things to Know
Apprenticeship combines work and learning. You develop occupational skills through actual workplace experience.
Registered Apprenticeship is paid employment. It includes structured training, related instruction, mentorship, progressive wages and a recognized credential.
Apprenticeship isn't limited to the skilled trades. Opportunities exist across a growing range of industries and occupations.
College and apprenticeship can work together. Some programs provide college credit, certificates or degree pathways.
Programs are not all the same. Always determine what type of apprenticeship you are considering and what it provides.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Apprenticeships
Are apprenticeships paid?
Registered Apprenticeships are paid employment. Other programs using the term apprenticeship may have different structures, so confirm compensation directly with the employer or sponsor.
Is an apprenticeship the same as an internship?
No. Internships generally emphasize career exploration and work experience. Apprenticeships are designed around learning an occupation through structured work and training.
Read: Apprenticeship vs. Internship →
Do I need experience to become an apprentice?
Not always. Many apprenticeships are designed to train people entering an occupation. Individual employers and programs establish their own eligibility requirements.
Do I need a college degree?
Many apprenticeships do not require a college degree. Requirements depend on the occupation and program. Some apprenticeships actually incorporate college education or lead toward a degree.
Can I become an apprentice after college?
Yes. Apprenticeship can also be a pathway for college graduates who want occupational training and substantial workplace experience.
Can high school students become apprentices?
Some can. Youth apprenticeship programs can allow students to combine school with workplace learning, and some connect directly to Registered Apprenticeship.
How long does an apprenticeship take?
It depends on the occupation and program. Some occupations require substantially more training than others. Ask the sponsor about the expected duration and requirements for completion.
Does completing an apprenticeship guarantee a permanent job?
Do not assume continued employment is guaranteed unless the employer specifically states that it is. Ask what typically happens to apprentices after program completion.
🧭 Your Next Steps
If apprenticeship sounds interesting, you don't need to understand the entire system before beginning your search.
🟪 Understand your options → Types of Apprenticeships
🔎 Ready to look → Search Apprenticeship Jobs
🧭 Not sure what career → Explore Apprenticeship Careers
🗺️ Want local resources → Choose Your State
🎓 Interested in college too → Apprenticeships and College: How They Work Together
🧑🎓 Still in high school → Youth Apprenticeship Guide
❓ Have more questions → Apprenticeship FAQs
🟩 Summary
An apprenticeship can provide a powerful combination: a job, a paycheck, workplace experience, structured learning and a pathway toward greater occupational skill.
Registered Apprenticeship adds established standards, including paid employment, structured on-the-job learning, related instruction, mentorship, progressive wages and a recognized credential.
But apprenticeship is not a single pathway. Opportunities can differ substantially by employer, occupation, location and program type.
Start by exploring careers that interest you, learn about the different types of apprenticeship, and then search for employers and programs in your area.
Next Guide → Types of Apprenticeships
About Apprenticeship.com
Apprenticeship.com is an independent national apprenticeship information and directory resource designed to help people understand apprenticeship, explore careers and find apprenticeship resources and opportunities.
Apprenticeship.com is not operated by or affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov or any government agency.
Important Information
Apprenticeship programs, eligibility requirements, wages, benefits, costs and availability can change. Always verify current information directly with the employer, apprenticeship sponsor, educational institution or appropriate government agency before applying, enrolling or making an employment or education decision.
END GUIDE