Apprenticeship programs provide job seekers with hands-on experience in a specific field, often with a combination of practical training and theoretical classes. Not only will you gain all the necessary skills to begin your career, but you will also earn a salary while you do so. Today, there are a variety of great apprenticeships for women.
Historically, trade apprenticeships have been associated with men. However, women are taking advantage of these opportunities in much greater numbers. To be successful in female trade apprenticeships, it just takes enthusiasm, passion for your profession, and powerful soft skills. In this article, we will describe the best apprenticeship programs for women.
Key Takeaways
- Apprenticeship programs provide hands-on experience through practical training and theoretical classes to help job seekers learn the skills needed to start a career while earning a salary.
- Apprenticeships for women are worthwhile due to hands-on experience, opportunities for skill development, and the absence of student debt upon completion.
- Women can pursue apprenticeships in diverse fields, including accounting, data science, pharmacy, hairdressing, electrical work, and more.
- Various companies offer apprenticeships for women, such as McDonald’s, Walgreens, Citi, and IBM.
- Requirements for apprenticeships vary, including education, skills, and sometimes official registration through specific platforms or certificates.
- Preparing for apprenticeships may involve completing coding bootcamps, internships, trade schools, or vocational training.
What Is an Apprenticeship for Women?
Apprenticeships for women act as on-the-job training courses, allowing you to work and learn simultaneously from qualified professionals in the company. In the past, these programs have been dominated by men, but that is quickly changing. This type of training program is open to everyone interested in nontraditional employment.
Today, you can participate in many different types of apprenticeship programs for women, including trade apprenticeships and coding apprenticeships. According to a case study conducted by the United States Department of Labor, women experienced a 79 percent increase in salary after completing an apprenticeship program. As such, apprenticeships for women can help you unlock new career opportunities.
What Does an Apprentice Do?
Your duties as an apprentice will differ depending on your specific program or profession. The main distinction between an apprentice and a regular worker is that you will do beginner-level tasks under the supervision of a more advanced professional until you develop the necessary skills to work on your own.
An apprentice does everything that an entry-level professional in the field would, with supervision. The role of an apprentice is created to help them build basic skills through on-the-job training.
Types of Apprenticeships for Women
There is nothing to stop women from joining any type of apprenticeship available across the country, but there is still a lack of women and minorities in certain programs. According to the case study from the US Department of Labor, women only represent around six percent of the apprenticeship population in the country.
However, this doesn’t mean that women shouldn’t bother applying to different types of apprenticeships. These programs can be very useful for kickstarting a career, and many companies are actively encouraging women to take advantage of these opportunities. In the following list, we will detail some of the most popular types of apprenticeships for women in 2021.
Accounting
Accounting is a popular type of apprenticeship program, partially because it tends to offer good compensation. Accounting apprentices can make an average of $41,103, according to Glassdoor. As an apprentice in accounting, you will work with bookkeeping software and similar tools to organize a company’s finances.
In your studies, you will learn about local, federal, and corporate policies under the supervision of a more experienced accountant. They will make sure you can keep up with the company’s demands. This apprenticeship will provide you with the necessary math, science, and computational skills to become a certified public accountant (CPA).
Pharmacy
If you want to work in healthcare but don’t want to earn a four-year college degree, an apprenticeship might be a good option. As a pharmacy apprentice, you will perform a variety of tasks, including receiving prescriptions and providing customers with the proper medications.
You will also learn how to handle pharmacy stock, how to label products, and how to offer advice and support for customer queries. To apply for this type of program, you need to have a high school diploma or equivalent as well as skills like attention to detail, good communication, and responsibility.
Hairdressing and Barbering
Hairdressing and barbering is another popular type of apprenticeship training, especially for those who enjoy working in the beauty and cosmetics industry. In this program, you will learn the fundamental aspects of hygiene and hairdressing techniques.
Hairdressing apprentices earn $48,533 on average, according to data from Glassdoor. You should be able to commit to around 40 hours of work to apply for one of these programs and be at least 16 years old.
Female Trade Apprenticeships
Female trade apprenticeships are another great way to start a rewarding career. These apprenticeship programs for women help you learn trade skills and begin to build hands-on experience. Below are three of the most common trade jobs for women.
- Welding. Highly skilled welders are in high demand, and some companies might be willing to pay students to be trained at their facilities. Today, there are more women in welding than ever before, but there is still a significant gender gap in the industry. Welding apprenticeships are sometimes funded by the federal government.
- Construction. Female construction apprenticeships may be rare, but they are a possibility. This is one of the best trade jobs for women as the construction industry continues to boom. In this position, you can learn about both commercial and residential construction.
- Electrical. As mentioned earlier, electrical apprenticeships are the most common. As such, working as an electrician is one of the best female trade apprenticeships. You can get an apprenticeship with a large organization or work as a self-employed electrician in your area.
Top 8 Apprenticeship Programs for Women in 2023
There are thousands of companies that welcome female apprentices to work in their facilities. We have compiled some of the best companies that offer apprenticeships for women. All of these registered apprenticeship programs are inclusive and provide a variety of benefits. Check out more details about the top apprenticeship programs for women below.
1. McDonald’s Business Administration Apprenticeship
McDonald’s has partnered with City Colleges of Chicago to offer a business administration apprenticeship program. While the company calls it an apprenticeship program, it has a slightly different methodology than most programs.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain hands-on training from your work at McDonald’s while you earn an Associate Degree in Business Administration from one of the City Colleges of Chicago. This is a great way to earn money while you start your career and build rapport with a top business.
2. Board of Barbery and Cosmetology Hairdressing and Barbering Apprenticeship
This program, provided by the Board of Barbery and Cosmetology, will allow you to learn the fundamentals of hairdressing and barbering while being paid. Once you obtain your license, you will be able to work without supervision. You’ll be able to find apprenticeships in your area so you can stay close to home during the process.
To be eligible for the apprenticeship, you must have a valid social security number, be over 16 years old, and commit to completing the 3,200 on-the-job training hours. You’ll also need at least 220 hours of supplemental instruction.
3. Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Program
The Walgreens Pharmacy Technician program gives you all the tools you need to become a certified pharmacy technician. You will receive on-the-job training and help real patients with their medication needs and questions.
As an apprentice at Walgreens Pharmacy, you will have to adhere to governmental, federal, and corporate policies under the supervision of a more experienced manager. Other duties include assisting patients, entering drug and prescription information, and creating reports.
4. Citi Cybersecurity Apprentice Program
Citi offers this apprentice opportunity around the country in seven different locations. To qualify for this apprenticeship, you will need one to three years of experience in cyber security or a related field. In addition, Citi also requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree.
In the Cybersecurity Apprentice Program, you will work full-time and will also be paired with a team that best suits your current skills. Though this apprenticeship for women has strict eligibility requirements, it also comes with a proposed base pay of over $100,000.
5. IBM Apprenticeship Program
Another company that’s known for its inclusive values is IBM. It offers data scientist, software engineer, and electronics engineer apprenticeships to help people learn core industry skills while earning a salary. If you’re interested in breaking into the tech world, this apprenticeship might be for you.
Each of these roles is a great opportunity to learn from experts in the industry. You will need to live in the US and have a high school diploma or GED. IBM offers many different types of tech apprenticeships in various locations to help you enter the field.
6. Supercuts Hair Stylist Apprentice
Since Supercuts is a salon chain with locations around the country, there are ample apprentice programs available for women. These are typically 90-day positions that help women learn how to become hair stylists and hairdressers. You will learn how to handle clients, cut and style hair, and work with salon products.
7. Anderson & Wood Construction Company Construction Apprenticeship
This opportunity is offered by Anderson & Wood Construction Company, which is located in Meridian, Idaho. Apprentices will learn construction skills by assisting in site preparation, excavation, demolition, and more. In addition, you will learn to work with heavy equipment and electrical systems.
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8. Speedrack Products Group Weld Apprentice
To qualify for this apprenticeship program, you do not need prior welding experience. However, you do need steel-toe boots and must agree to a background and drug test before your employment begins. The position pays $18 to $23 per hour, plus overtime.
Since this apprenticeship requires 40 hours per week of work, it also comes with medical coverage and paid holiday leave. In addition, this program will give you the skills you need to enter the field of welding. You will learn from experienced professionals through on-the-job training.
Apprenticeships for Women Salaries
There isn’t much information regarding the salary differences between women and men in apprenticeship programs. You can look at average entry-level salaries for your preferred field to get a feel for what you could earn.
For example, the average salary for an electrician apprenticeship is $48,630, according to Glassdoor. In addition, electricians participated in the highest amount of apprenticeships in 2021, per DOL reports. This data also shows the women in apprenticeships only made up 40,491 of the nearly 230,000 new apprenticeships started in 2021.
Female Apprenticeship Requirements
All apprenticeships have different requirements. Some require a certain physical capacity, while others will focus more on your technical skills. Most apprenticeships have education requirements, such as having a high school diploma or equivalent, math skills, or logical thinking skills.
In addition, some apprenticeship programs may require workers to register through official platforms. For example, one electrical apprenticeship opportunity in Washington requires apprentices to have an official apprenticeship card and an electrical training certificate.
On the other hand, Google apprenticeship programs only require applicants to have authorization to work, English language skills, and a history of strong academic performance.
How to Land the Best Apprenticeships for Females
There are many companies out there offering great programs for women. Finding the right one for you is just a matter of research and preparation. While all programs will ask you to have a high school diploma or GED, some programs may require more specific skills.
Some of the best apprenticeships for females will ask you to undergo certain tests to see if you have the appropriate soft and hard skills needed for the job. Luckily, there are many resources available if you are interested in gaining new skills to prepare you for an apprenticeship. Read below to learn more about how to prepare for different apprenticeship programs.
Bootcamps
Coding bootcamps are a great way to learn tech skills in a short period. They often work with hiring partners, so upon graduation, you will be well prepared to launch your career however you see fit. After completing a bootcamp, some major tech companies will be very willing to hire you for an apprenticeship program or even a full-time job.
Internships
Many apprenticeship programs will require that you have previous job experience in their field. Internships are a great way to build your knowledge background while getting an understanding of what your life might look like if you decide to go down a certain career path. They also look great on your resume.
Trade Schools
Trade schools are another great source for preparing for an apprenticeship program. They have a relatively low cost and will give you the foundational skills you need to apply for an apprenticeship program. This is especially applicable to trades and other hands-on occupations that require pre-apprenticeship programs.
Vocational Training
Vocational schools are technical training institutions where you learn the technical skills and theoretical knowledge for specific professions. It would be a good idea to join a vocational school to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field you are interested in before beginning your apprenticeship.
Are Apprenticeships for Women Worth It?
Yes, apprenticeships for women are worth it because you will be able to start your career while being paid. This is a hands-on experience opportunity where you’ll meet interesting and experienced co-workers who can help you develop relevant skills. The best thing about apprenticeships for women is that you won’t have to worry about student debt after completing your program.
Apprenticeships for Women FAQ
Apprenticeships are more focused on the training process, whereas internships often function more as entry-level jobs. While apprenticeships and internships have many similarities, they are not the same thing. One major difference is that an apprenticeship is always paid, while internships are sometimes unpaid positions.
What’s the hourly pay for women apprentices?
Although there isn’t much information about women’s salaries in apprenticeship programs, we can see that the average apprentice makes around $18 per hour, according to Indeed. In an apprenticeship, a woman should earn the same amount that a male colleague would because apprenticeships are entry-level training programs.
What is the highest-paying trade for women?
The highest-paying trade for women is carpentry. According to Indeed, a carpentry apprentice makes an average of nearly $18 per hour. After carpentry, working as an electrician, plumber, or mechanic apprentice are the next highest-paying trade positions.
How long is an electrician apprenticeship?
It typically takes around four years to complete an electrician apprenticeship. By working full-time for four years, you will gain the 8,000 hours of job training you need to become an electrician. However, if you choose to only work part-time, then you will need to work longer as an apprentice to complete the required professional hours.
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