America needs more skilled workers, are apprenticeships the answer?

(NewsNation) — With more Americans doubting the value of a college degree, an old training method, the apprenticeship, is starting to make a comeback.

Nationally, the number of active apprentices in registered programs has more than doubled over the past decade, according to U.S. Department of Labor data. The number of registered programs has also gone up, increasing by more than 40% since 2014.

Chris Cuomo brought on a “Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe for a special edition of [CUOMO] focused on elevating and encouraging blue-collar jobs. Watch the full episode here.

The time-honored approach to training skilled workers could be crucial in the coming years as the nation faces a shortage of plumbers, electricians and manufacturing workers.

“We are still far underproducing the number of young workers who are trained to fill those positions compared to their demand,” said Zack Mabel, a research professor at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.

But closing the gap may require a broad shift in strategy. Historically, the U.S. has lagged far behind other developed countries like Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom in creating apprenticeships, and that’s still the case.

Apprentices receive on average about 2% of the support that taxpayers spend on a typical college student, Robert Lerman, a senior fellow at the Urban Insitute, noted in a Fast Company article last year.

“The math just doesn’t add up,” Lerman wrote. “While policymakers let promising models like apprenticeships languish, their current approach is fueling a student debt crisis that drags down the American economy.

Recent surveys suggest the demand for skilled job training is there. A 2023 Jobber study of 1,000 18-to-20-year-olds found 75% are interested in exploring vocational schools that offer paid, on-the-job training.

What are apprenticeships?

Unlike trade school, which can cost thousands of dollars, apprenticeships are a debt-free, industry-driven training option that allows workers to earn while they learn. That’s possible because apprentices work for a sponsor — such as a union, trade association, or individual business — who pay their wages and provide the training.

Full-time apprenticeships are much like a full-time job, where students get paid to work while learning from seasoned professionals.

Last year, apprentices were evenly split between union and nonunion programs, Labor Department data shows.

How long do apprenticeships last?

Formal apprenticeship programs usually last about four years but that can vary depending on the occupation.

Most electricians, for example, learn their trade in a four or five-year apprenticeship program, which typically involves 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year and technical instruction. Plumbers follow a similar training schedule.

Other apprenticeships, like becoming a butcher, could take as little as six months and 600 hours.

Which industries have the most apprenticeships?

The construction industry currently accounts for over a third of all active apprentices, by far the most for any industry. Electricians (27%), carpenters (10%) and plumbers (10%) were the largest share of apprentices in that sector last year.

But apprenticeships aren’t limited to construction jobs. The number of health care and social assistance apprentices has more than doubled since 2018. This fiscal year there are more than 18,600 apprentices in that industry who are training to become nursing assistants, child care development specialists and other types of professionals.

Manufacturing apprenticeships are also up over the past decade, with the total number of registered apprentices rising more than 85% since 2014.

Are there white-collar apprenticeships?

Although most are in the skilled trades, apprenticeships have expanded to office jobs in recent years.

In 2017, professional service companies Accenture and Aon, along with insurance firm Zurich North America, started the Chicago Apprentice Network. That network, which has since grown to more than 90 companies, offers apprenticeships in corporate IT, cyber security, finance and other white-collar focus areas.

IBM, the largest industrial research organization in the world, also has an apprenticeship program that has expanded to more than 25 roles. The company has committed to investing $250 million in apprenticeships and similar programs by 2025.

How much money do apprentices make?

The average pay for an apprentice varies significantly depending on the job and the way the program is set up.

Nationally, the average apprentice makes $45,800 per year, or roughly $22 an hour, according to ZipRecruiter. In higher-cost-of-living cities in California, the average apprentice salary is closer to $60,000 a year.

Many apprenticeship programs require a starting wage for apprentices that is at least 50 to 70% of the journey-level wage.

According to the Labor Department, 90% of apprentices who complete a registered program retain employment with an average annual salary of $80,000.

How do I find an apprenticeship?

The government has an online apprenticeship finder that shows thousands of jobs and programs across the country. Users can search by their specific city to find opportunities in their area.

Popular job posting sites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter also list apprenticeships.

You can also go directly to labor union or trade association websites to find opportunities.

If you prefer the in-person route, go to your state’s labor office website, and there are often events listed for those interested in learning more.