SKIP THE TUITION. GET STRAIGHT TO THE PAYCHECK.
Learning the skills to build a great career can take time. But with any union apprenticeship program, you earn great wages and benefits while you’re learning. Apprenticeship programs vary from 3 to 5 years to fully complete all required training. Some trades complete their apprenticeship with an associate’s degree or a substantial amount of college credits. Don’t put off financial security and job security for two to four years. Become a union apprentice today.
- Earn while you learn
- No tuition
- On-the-job training
- College credits
- Full benefits
- Debt-free degree
- Job placement & great wages
Apprenticeship vs. four-year college
| TIMEFRAME | UNION APPRENTICESHIP | FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 |
On-the-job training and hands-on classes begin.
Average paycheck starts at $25/hour. |
Tuition payments and classes begin. |
| Years 1–5 | Paycheck, benefits, on-the-job training, and classes continue. Regularly scheduled pay raises. | Tuition payments and classes continue. Limited ability for work experience in the field of choice. |
| Graduation | Journey-level status earned with paychecks averaging $45/hour, plus benefits that continue to grow. Certifications and college credits earned. | Degree earned and job search begins. No guarantee for getting a job in your field. |
| Post Grad |
$0 IN DEBT and an average of $220,000 of wages earned over the course
of the apprenticeship, plus benefits earned.
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor — Office of Apprenticeship) |
Average college student graduates with $38,375 IN DEBT.
(Source: Education Data Initiative — Student Loan Debt Statistics) |
| Week 1 | |
|---|---|
| Union Apprenticeship |
On-the-job training and hands-on classes begin. Average paycheck starts at $25/hour. |
| Four-Year College | Tuition payments and classes begin. |
| Years 1–5 | |
| Union Apprenticeship | Paycheck, benefits, on-the-job training, and classes continue. Regularly scheduled pay raises. |
| Four-Year College | Tuition payments and classes continue. Limited ability for work experience in the field of choice. |
| Graduation | |
| Union Apprenticeship | Journey-level status earned with paychecks averaging $45/hour, plus benefits that continue to grow. Certifications and college credits earned. |
| Four-Year College | Degree earned and job search begins. No guarantee for getting a job in your field. |
| Post Grad | |
| Union Apprenticeship |
$0 IN DEBT and an average of $220,000
of wages earned over the course of the apprenticeship, plus benefits.
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor — Office of Apprenticeship) |
| Four-Year College |
Average college student graduates with
$38,375 IN DEBT.
(Source: Education Data Initiative — Student Loan Debt Statistics) |
Finding More Purpose: Conor’s story
