Apprenticeships can be a great way to get your feet wet, spend some time working in your target career field, and find out if this type of work is right for you. But sometimes, for a variety of reasons, there may be no apprenticeship opportunities available to you. 

If you can’t find an apprenticeship in your target career field, try this: take a look at vocational schools and community colleges. These schools prepare students for many skilled occupations, and
this training often is faster than apprenticeship. To find
training most similar to apprenticeship, students can choose
a school with the following:

Recognized credential. Schools cannot offer journey
worker certificates, but they do offer vocational certificates
or college degrees. To ensure the value of the certificates a
school offers, ask which agencies accredit the school. Then,
check that the accrediting agencies are approved by the U.S.
Department of Education. And finally, call the accreditor to
verify the school’s current status.

The U.S. Department of Education’s College
Opportunities Online system simplifies the process of
checking accreditation. The system is available online at
www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool. Visitors type in the name of a
school and receive information about that school, including
the organizations that accredit it. Visitors still need to call
the accrediting organizations to verify that the schools have
been approved. Contact information for these organizations
is available online at www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/
accreditation/natlagencies.html.

Professional or trade associations also evaluate training
programs associated with their occupations. These
associations publish lists of approved programs.
Marketable skills. To learn up-to-date, marketable skills,
look for a school that meets with industry groups or follows
written industry standards when designing a curriculum.
Investigate the backgrounds of teachers. What
certifications or degrees do they have? Do they have work
experience?

Also, most schools keep track of the success of their
graduates. Ask to see these records. Choose schools whose
graduates find work in their field. You could also check the
percentage of students who complete the school’s program
and the number who default on student loans.

On-the-job training. To gain work experience while you
learn, look for programs that include formal internships or
co-ops. Recent studies by educators suggest that combining
a degree with a co-op or long-term internship increases
graduates’ earnings, likelihood of being promoted, and
likelihood of finding and keeping a job. This is especially
true if schools have a formal relationship with an employer.

Free classroom training. Schools, unlike most
apprenticeships, charge tuition. But you may qualify for
financial aid and scholarships to lower the bill. The U.S.
Department of Education administers a financial aid
program for all types of secondary education, including
vocational education. To apply for financial aid, such as
grants, loans, and work study, call tollfree, 1 (800) 433-
3243. The application also is online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Frequently, State governments also offer aid. Uncover
these funds by calling your State Department of Education,
the financial aid department of a local college, and the
Department of Health and Human Services.
 

Top | Home | Site Map | About Us | Contact Us| Privacy Policy

© CareerAdrenaline.com  All Rights Reserved.