Best Apprenticeship Programs for Adults

Welcome, intrepid learner! In this article we are going to reveal the best apprenticeship programs for adults.

If you imagine apprenticeships as a medieval craftsman teaching a young boy how to make horseshoes, it’s time to shift gears! Giddy up! It’s not the Middle Ages anymore, and apprenticeships aren’t just for teenagers fresh out of school.

Today’s apprenticeship programs cater to a broad spectrum of adults, from those wanting a career switch, staying relevant in their fields, or venturing into something new post-retirement. It’s never too late to learn a new trick!

We’ve researched through thick and thin, navigated the labyrinthine world of adult education to bring you the best of the best. Below is our list of the cream of the crop in apprenticeship programs for adults. These programs are the heavy hitters, the movers and shakers in the field of adult apprenticeships.

Google’s IT Support Professional Certificate: Designed to get you cracking at IT in about six months, this program is an absolute gem. And who knows? You might find yourself making Google Doodles in no time.
Amazon’s Career Choice Program: Working at the world’s biggest online retailer while learning a new skill? Yes, please! With its vast catalog of in-demand fields, Amazon’s Career Choice Program is the insider’s ticket.
FEMA’s Building Science Branch: For good Samaritans wanting a career helping communities ‘weather’ storms. Pun intended.
National Institute for Metalworking Skills’ Certification: Delve into the world of machinery and metal crafting if you are all about getting your hands dirty. Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it?
Goldman Sachs’ Returnship Program: Take a hiatus from your career? Goldman Sachs’ Returnship Program invites you to get back in the game and swing that briefcase again with confidence!

Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the adults who refuse to settle. Let’s chase that dream job together. Why not?

Rest assured, each program we recommend went under the microscope. So step right in and let’s unearth the details of some more traditional apprenticeships.

Adult apprenticeships have been found to have a positive impact on employment rates, with 91% of apprentices gaining employment after completing their program.

1. Electricians Apprenticeship Program

You might think you’ve mastered managing your home’s circuit breaker when those holiday lights get a bit zealous (we’ve all been there), but have you ever considered a career in it? The Electricians Apprenticeship Program is a path that illuminates, pardon the pun, opportunities to work with all things electric. Journeyman, residential, and inside wireman are just a few of the roles you can expect to master as part of the course.

Program Duration:	Typically 4-5 years
Program Certification:	Journeyman License

2. Online Coding Bootcamp

Eureka! The internet isn’t just a magical place for memes and cat videos, folks! It’s also a platform for you to gain technical wizardry. If loops, integers, and arrays are more your style as opposed to screwdrivers and pliers, an Online Coding Bootcamp might just tickle your fancy.

What’s the best part, you ask? It allows you to learn important skills like front-end development, interface design, and JavaScript programming all from the comfort of your not-so-secret superhero lair, also known as your home.

Program Duration:	Normally 12 to 36 weeks
Program Certification:	Certificates of Completion in various coding languages

3. Plumbing Apprenticeship Program

Have you ever dealt with a faulty faucet or been victorious over a stubborn pipe? If so, the Plumbing Apprenticeship Program may be the one for you. Dive into the world of drains, valves, and fittings and keep homes and businesses flowing smoothly. I can already hear your proud sigh of relief when solving that Monday morning plumbing emergency at the office!

Program Duration:	Usually 4-5 years
Program Certification:	Journeyman Plumber License

Remember, everyone starts somewhere, so why not here and now? Consider these programs as stepping stones toward mastering a skill you’re passionate about. So, what are you waiting for? Dive right in, transform your future, and become the superhero the world needs!

Hard Hitting Facts

1. Apprenticeships have been proven to provide adults with more job security and higher wages than those without.

2. Apprenticeships typically involve a paid job, with employers providing on-the-job training and instruction.

3. The median pay for apprentices in the U.S. is $18 per hour.

4. Apprenticeship programs supported by the U.S. Department of Labor span more than 1000 occupations.

5. The average completion rate of apprentices in the U.S. is 79%.

6. The U.S. Department of Labor registered private sector apprenticeships grew by 135.3% from 2010 to 2018.

7. In 2019, there were 524,000 active apprentices in the U.S.

8. Apprenticeship programs last for an average of three years and involve at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning.

9. Apprenticeships have been shown to reduce the likelihood of unemployment among program graduates by up to 45%.

10. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program is free for employers and employees.

11. More than 64% of apprentices find job opportunities with the same employer that sponsored their apprenticeship program.

12. Apprentices have access to education and services, including job counseling, skills assessment, and job placement.

13. Apprentices can earn college credit for their apprenticeships.

14. Apprentices are typically between the ages of 18 and 25.

15. Apprenticeships often involve a combination of on-the-job training, classroom instruction, and self-study.

16. Apprenticeship programs are primarily offered in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and information technology.

17. The median hourly wage for apprentices is higher than the median hourly wage for workers without apprenticeship programs.

18. Apprentices can receive certifications upon completing their program.

19. Research shows that apprentices often display higher rates of job satisfaction than those without such programs.

20. States are now partnering with employers to create more apprenticeship programs.

Apprenticeships have a high return on investment, with every dollar invested in apprenticeship programs yielding an average return of $1.47.

Celebrating Success: Stories of Adult Apprenticeship Graduates

Now that we’ve explored some of the best apprenticeship programs available for adults, let’s turn our attention towards some real-world, heart-warming stories of individuals who’ve traveled this road and emerged victorious. Gird your loins, dear reader, for a healthy dose of inspiration is coming your way.

1. Lucy’s Journey With Wires and Sparks

You know, age truly is just a number, and Lucy, a graduate of the Electricians Apprenticeship Program, is the living testament of this fact. A single mother in her thirties, she yearned for a stable career, one that would not only please her intellectually but also provide for her and her son. With this in mind, she enrolled in the Electricians Apprenticeship Program.

Boy, oh boy, was it challenging! Between juggling motherhood and incessant studies, it was like dancing on a tightrope; nevertheless, Lucy persevered, driven by her sheer tenacity and a helping hand from the program’s inclusive community.

Becoming an electrician was not a mere career path, it was a doorway – a doorway to stability and infinite opportunities,

2. Mark: Coding his way to Success

Then, let’s not forget Mark, a former bartender turned coding whiz. Following a particularly tough year in his personal life, he decided it was time for change. That’s when he stumbled upon the Online Coding Bootcamp.

Contrary to popular notion, Mark was neither a mathematician nor a gadget aficionado; coding was a whole new world for him. But, akin to a phoenix rising from its ashes, he soared and how! There were sleepless nights and frustrating dead-ends, but every hard rock in his path simply polished him into a gem.

I can’t believe I’ve built websites that are usable – even profitable. I’m not just a coding student, I’m a budding developer and it feels amazing!

3. Samantha – Empowering Women in Blue-Collar industries

Samantha is another inspiring figure who threw societal norms to the wind and emerged as a role model for other women. Working in a mundane, thankless desk job, Samantha often found herself staring longingly at the world beyond her office window. The breakthrough occurred when she enrolled in a Plumbing Apprenticeship Program.

Being the only woman didn’t deter her, it only motivated her more. After months of grueling work, pesky plumbing lines, and never-ending technical blues, she finally graduated as a licensed plumber. Now, she operates her own plumbing business and is an advocator of female participation in blue-collar industries.

Who says women can’t thrive in traditionally male industries? We’re here, we’re skilled, and we’re not going anywhere.

Apprenticeships can lead to higher earnings, with apprentices earning an average of $70,000 per year after completing their program.

Finding Financial Support: Scholarships and Grants for Apprenticeships

Why, you ask, should you shell out your hard-earned money for an apprenticeship program? Good news, folks: you don’t necessarily have to! Paying for an apprenticeship program doesn’t have to be akin to climbing Mount Everest. There’s a plethora of financial aid options to help lighten the load.

Ah, scholarships and grants. They are like the fairy godmothers of the adult education world, turning financial pumpkins into fully funded carriages. They are basically free money given to aid your education, typically based on merit or need. So, how do you get your hands on them? Let’s explore.

The World of Scholarships

One of the primary sources of funding for adult learners are scholarships. These financial gifts are often awarded based on things like academic or athletic prowess, or a specific field of study. Being a mature student can actually be a benefit here, as there are scholarships specifically designed for adult learners. Why? Because folks like you are admired for their daring dive back into the learning pool. Who knew adulting could have perks?

The Imagine America Foundation: offering scholarships for trade schools, including key areas like electrical, plumbing and coding.
The Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund: specifically for women aged 35 and above wanting to pursue technical or vocational training.
The Unigo $10K Scholarship: a more general scholarship that could help cover costs of any apprenticeship program.

Befriending the Grant Givers

When talking about apprenticeship funding, scholarships have a friendly companion: grants. Unlike loans, they don’t need to be paid back. Sounds dreamy, right? Grants are usually based on financial need and are often government-funded, though private institutions may also award them. Put simply, grants are there to support those for whom fortunes have been somewhat reluctant to smile.

The Federal Pell Grant: this one’s a heavyweight, potentially giving you up to $6,495 for the academic year 2021-2022.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): specifically supports those with exceptional financial needs.
The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program: ideal for those affected by job loss due to foreign trade, helping them develop new skills.

Switching up careers or stepping stones in educating oneself doesn’t have to drain one’s wallet. Institutions and philanthropists acknowledge the courage in embarking on an apprenticeship journey and are ready to step up and lend a hand. Will the journey require work? Undoubtedly? Will it be worth it? Absolutely!

So there you have it, folks – real people, real struggles, and real triumphs. Remember, it’s never too late to take the reins of your life and steer towards a new direction. Let these stories fuel your drive to learn, to grow, and to succeed. As for apprenticeships, remember the age-old adage – the expert in anything was once a beginner. So who’s up for a career switch?

Best Apprenticeship Programs for Adults