Apprenticeship vs Trade School:  

Which one is right for you? 

Explore the pros and cons of each 

Apprenticeships 

Pros: 

▪ More hands-on training right away  

▪ Exposure to real-world labor scenarios 

▪ Paid learning experience 

▪ Apprentices earn higher wages 

▪ Education gained with no debt 

▪ Economical learning program 

▪ Creates a pathway towards your career 

▪ No need for a four-year degree 

Cons: 

▪ Good apprenticeship opportunities are hard to come by ▪ Limited career options 

▪ Work schedule limitations 

▪ Redundancy of learning certain principles 

▪ Greater line of autonomy and responsibilities 

Trade School 

Pros: 

▪ Instructional guidance 

▪ Personal development and sharper critical thinking

▪ Flexible scheduling 

▪ Specialized training sessions 

▪ Better job experience 

▪ Takes 2 years or less to complete 

▪ Lessons from an experienced professional 

▪ Little to no tuition debt 

Cons: 

▪ Larger financial commitment than an apprenticeship ▪ Lacks hands-on learning 

▪ No job guarantees 

▪ Limited availability of schools 

▪ Scope of work is only applicable to technical demands ▪ No other choice in career path

TRADE SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

There are many local trade schools offering a wide variety of career options.  Please see this list to learn more and access multiple links.