What Is an Apprenticeship Program? Definition, Benefits, and Examples

Key takeaways 

An apprenticeship program is a paid training program that provides practical experience in a specific field, typically under the guidance of a mentor. 

• Approximately 93 percent of apprentices retain employment after completing their program [1].

• Apprenticeship programs come in many forms and recruit different types of learners, including those without a degree, individuals seeking a career change, and people re-entering the workforce after a break.

• You can explore how an apprenticeship may fit into your plans if you’re considering making a career change.

Learn more about apprenticeship programs, including how to find one, program requirements, and the benefits of working as an apprentice. If you want to build your information technology (IT) and data analysis skills to prepare for an apprenticeship or job, consider enrolling in the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, where you’ll have the chance to learn the tools, languages, and libraries used by data scientists.

What is an apprenticeship vs. internship?

An apprenticeship is a paid, mentor-led training program that may lead to a full-time job, while an internship is a less structured opportunity that focuses on entry-level tasks and is often unpaid. Apprenticeships, which usually last one year or more, are typically longer than internships, which may only last a few months. While both apprenticeships and internships offer on-the-job experience, you can typically only earn a credential after completing an apprenticeship.

Types of apprenticeship programs

Apprenticeship programs are available across industries, and they enable you to develop skills and engage in hands-on training while earning a paycheck. You can find formal apprenticeship programs through state and federal programs, or you may opt for a company-sponsored apprenticeship opportunity in your industry. Explore some common apprenticeship programs to determine which one is right for you.

Employer apprenticeship program

Employer apprenticeship programs enable organizations to recruit and train their future workforce by providing on-the-job training for individuals seeking to enter the industry. Often, employers offer registered apprenticeships through the US Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship or a state-based apprenticeship agency. These programs deliver several key benefits, such as:

• Pay, including wage increases as your skills grow

• Education and skills development in your chosen field

• Industry-recognized credentials earned upon completion of the apprenticeship

Both federal and state agencies post registered apprenticeship opportunities, and you can apply directly with the employer. Registered apprenticeships are available in many industries, including construction, finance and insurance, manufacturing, government, retail trade, and transportation and warehousing, among others. 

As a result, you can prepare for diverse job roles through registered apprenticeship programs. Some potential job opportunities available through employer-led programs include carpenters, electricians, dental assistants, law enforcement agents, and software engineers.

Medical assistant apprenticeship program

Medical assistant apprenticeship programs can help you break into the health care industry, which is expected to see much faster-than-average job growth through 2034 [2]. You can find medical assistant apprenticeship programs at colleges and community colleges. In these programs, the school partners with a community health care organization that provides apprentices with hands-on, clinical experience. Often, you work at a clinical site and take one or more courses to complete the program successfully. Some school-based programs conclude with students taking the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association.

You can also find medical assistant apprenticeship opportunities directly through health care organizations. In these programs, hospitals, clinics, and medical centers hire you to work as an apprentice for an established number of months or clinical hours, allowing you to earn as you learn. Some organizations hire medical assistant apprentices as full-time employees upon completion of the apprenticeship program.

Regardless of the type of medical assistantship apprentice program you choose, you’ll develop administrative and clinical skills that help you prepare for a job in health care. As an apprentice, you may learn how to schedule patient appointments, update medical records, and code for insurance. On the clinical side, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to take patients’ vital signs, prepare them for exams, and administer medications.

These apprenticeship programs seek to prepare you for a role as a certified medical assistant. Medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient facilities, providing administrative and clinical assistance to the health care team.

IT apprenticeship programs

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the IT field will grow at a much faster-than-average pace through 2034, and an IT apprenticeship program can help you prepare to join this growing workforce [3]. You can apply for IT apprenticeships with tech organizations, where you’ll receive mentorship from industry experts and build your technical and digital skills. Tech organizations offer a variety of apprenticeships in the field, allowing you to specialize your training. For example, you can find opportunities to focus your work on software engineering, data analytics, or user experience (UX) design.

You can also complete an IT apprenticeship program through a college or community college. These programs include coursework on such topics as IT fundamentals, computer networking, and cloud computing. After completing your coursework, you’ll interview for an apprenticeship where you can gain hands-on experience working as an IT field support specialist or information security systems engineer, among other opportunities.

Completing an IT apprenticeship program can help you prepare for various roles in tech, including the following:

• IT specialist

• Network technician

• Application developer

• Cybersecurity specialist

• IT project manager

Read more: Your Guide to Entry-Level IT Jobs: Top Roles and Requirements

Programming apprenticeships

As a programming apprentice, you’ll have the opportunity to work for an established organization, developing your programming skills while contributing to active projects. Often, these programs pair you with an experienced mentor who oversees your work, allowing you to develop your technical and programming skills and learn how to resolve challenging situations. Ultimately, programming apprenticeships promote active learning, where you’ll learn how to code in a hands-on environment to enhance your skills.

Several companies, including Airbnb, LinkedIn, and Accenture, have well-established apprenticeship programs designed to prepare you for jobs in programming. Some of these programs focus on candidates who may be transitioning into new careers, re-entering the workforce, or seeking to supplement their boot camp or associate-level training with real-world experience. Through a programming apprenticeship, you can gain experience to land a role in tech, such as:

• Computer programmer

• Software developer

• Computer systems analyst

• User interface (UI) engineer

• Back-end developer

• Mobile app developer

Advantages of an apprenticeship program

An apprenticeship is an increasingly popular career pathway. Since 2015, the number of registered apprenticeships in the US has increased by 93.72 percent, with 696,205 active apprentices nationwide in 2025 [4]. Explore the advantages of an apprenticeship program to determine if it aligns with your career goals:

• On-the-job training: Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training, allowing you to develop your practical and technical skills in your chosen field. Many programs map skills that apprentices must learn, ensuring you depart your apprenticeship with the skills required to secure a full-time position. 

• Incentive-based pay: Many apprenticeship programs reward you as your skills develop. Your pay will increase progressively as you master specific skills, a structure that acknowledges you for your hard work and motivates you to achieve your goals.

• Mentor-based learning: Since many apprenticeship programs pair you with a mentor, you’ll benefit from targeted training customized to your strengths and weaknesses. Your mentor can also help you navigate the job search process and learn more about working in the industry.

• Credentials upon completion: If you land an apprenticeship through the Registered Apprentice Program, you’ll earn a nationally recognized credential in your industry, which you can share with potential employers.

• Full-time job opportunities: The federally run ApprenticeshipUSA reports that 93 percent of registered apprentices retain employment after their apprenticeship program [1]. A successful apprenticeship, then, may lead to a full-time job.

How much do apprentices get paid?

Apprentice pay can vary by position and industry, with many apprentices earning a percentage of the full-time wages for their respective positions. For example, electrician apprentices and other skilled trade apprentices typically earn half of what journeymen electricians make to start, which equates to about $15 per hour, according to May 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data [5]. Medical assistant apprentices often earn similarly, with some health care organizations paying around $18 per hour [6,7]. IT apprenticeship pay also varies, with apprentices often earning between $18 and $27 per hour [8].

Is 35 too old for an apprenticeship?

No, you can start an apprenticeship at any age. In fact, apprenticeship programs are ideal for individuals seeking to transition into a new career or re-enter the workforce after a break. Apprenticeships enable you to develop new skills without returning to school, allowing you to enter the workforce immediately. 

How long are apprenticeship programs?

Apprenticeship programs vary in length depending on the employer and industry, but they typically span from one year to five years. Program guidelines may dictate how many hours of training you need to complete the apprenticeship, which can vary from 2,000 hours to 12,000 hours. Other programs may focus on competency achievement rather than set hours, and you’ll complete the program when you master all competencies.

Stay in the loop on career trends and tips

Explore your career options by subscribing to Career Chat, our LinkedIn newsletter. Plus, consider these helpful resources to help you choose your career path or plan your next career move:

• Watch on YouTube: Creating a Skills-First Future in the Age of AI

• Consider your options: Career Test: What Career Is Right for Me?

• Discover ways to improve: How to Upskill for Professional Growth

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