Five Misconceptions of Youth Apprenticeships

Across the country, Gen Z (ages 13-28) are struggling to land a good job. Currently, only about 24 percent, roughly 17 million Gen Zer's, work full time, but finding a job that’s up to the standards of Gen Z adults isn’t easy, especially for those who do not yet have work experience. For Gen Z, apprenticeships can be a smart solution that coincides with paid work experience and a certificate upon training completion and speaks to their need for a pathway for success in this new market.

Apprenticeships can be a key bridge in systematically shrinking the number of young adults that lack the skills and work experiences they need to build a career – but as of 2021, apprenticeships in the U.S. make up less than 1 percent of the U.S. workforce. In this blog, I’ll address some common misconceptions to help more young adults recognize the truth about apprenticeships and understand the benefits of joining an apprenticeship program including transparent pathway for career development, long term employment options, high school and/or college credits, paid training, and lasting connections.

Many perceive apprenticeships as a backup option solely for those who struggle academically, fail to get accepted into a traditional higher education degree program, or who don’t want to pursue higher education.

This is false. Apprenticeship is just a different model of postsecondary training. Though not every apprentice pursues a degree, apprenticeships aren’t limited to those who choose not to continue traditional school after high school. All apprenticeships include some form of classroom-based training. Apprenticeships can be modified to be taken while young people are in high school or while in or after college. It can be provided by a technical college or university, a training institute, or many other types of providers. According to the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship, high quality apprenticeships should culminate in some form of industry-recognized credential, or a college degree. But whatever the credential, apprenticeships are clear pathways to careers in many industries, with or without traditional college experience. Apprenticeships complement, rather than replace, traditional education and offer a different path to training, earning a credential, accessing quality careers.

A widespread misconception is that apprenticeships offer low or no wages. This belief makes them seem less financially viable.

In reality, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor, apprenticeships are always paid earn-and-learn opportunities. Apprenticeships also offer competitive wages for entry-level workers in fields like technology, construction, IT, and finance. Getting paid to learn is one of the many benefits of apprenticeships. As part of completion of an apprenticeship program, students must complete on the job or other related technical instruction that helps prepare them for their role. Earning while you learn is also another benefit to begin an apprenticeship program, as apprenticeships offer a financially rewarding path, especially considering the financial security a young adult would begin to have. This is also important considering that on average, 28 percent of Gen Z have debt incurred from the traditional college pathway.

Even though apprenticeships and internships sound similar and both models can exist within the same industries, they are not at all the same things.

To start, apprenticeships are longer than internships; internships are short term. Some apprenticeships can even last more than three years depending on the industry and company. In contrast, internships typically expose participants to more general skill development opportunities or a range of roles within an industry over the span of X weeks or months, compared to apprenticeships that expose apprentices to technical and training instruction. Apprenticeships lead to a credential once the program is completed, which most internships don’t offer. Apprenticeships also have a high retention rate for employers, highlighting the likeliness of employment after apprenticeship completion. Another distinction of the difference between the two is that internships do not provide related technical instruction like apprenticeship programs. Furthermore, apprenticeships are always paid, while internships aren’t always paid.

Apprenticeships are available and in demand across a wide range of industries, providing opportunities in both technical and creative sectors. Internships don’t guarantee retention and impact like apprenticeships do, and are more competitive which leaves people out, instead of inviting them in.

The idea that apprenticeships are only for older workers is thought of because most apprentices are nearly 30 years old.

Despite what many assume, apprenticeships are offered to youth aged 16-24 in many industries across the country.

For example, a person can start their apprenticeship program at 24, finding they’re eligible for the job. Some employers like CareerWise DC however, offer apprenticeships to high school seniors specifically. Even so, regardless of the age or experience an apprentice with, they will gain valuable on-the-job experiences, formal training, mentorship, and the insights they need to bolster their transition into the workplace.. Apprenticeships can help young adults navigate other career options after program completion.

Many may believe that apprenticeships aren’t as useful as an internship because apprenticeships have been associated with work in the skilled trades industry like manufacturing and construction.

In reality, apprenticeships have a wide range of industries that have helped young adults start their careers. These jobs provide students with diverse backgrounds to land opportunities for advancement. Apprenticeships offer attentive work and relationships that can develop over time, as well as time for an apprentice to learn about themselves and the industry they’re in. Youth apprenticeship employers like CareerWise Colorado and CareerWise DC offer programs in different industries including Para Educator to Teacher, Clinical Healthcare Therapy Apprentice, HR/ Marketing Associate, Certified Nursing Assistant to Patient Care Technician, and more!

Apprenticeships are becoming increasingly accessible to young adults and may give traditional internship opportunities a run for their money. With the right resources, young people can find opportunities that match their career goals better and find programs that align with their desires—career prospects, stability, and personal growth.

The myths surrounding youth apprenticeships aren’t even close to the reality of what an apprenticeship program is like. Myths like these can also hurt the sharing of knowledge that is needed for employers, students, and career intermediaries to understand the importance and benefits of apprenticeships as a stable career pathway.

Apprenticeships, with all myths busted, are extremely beneficial to both students, and employers, and offer apprentices a better chance at career growth—especially for young adults that are making the leap from school to the workplace.