Internship vs Apprenticeship – Which is right for you?
Both internships and apprenticeships grant you entry-level experience in a career. They have some similarities but work in different ways.
Frequently described as programs that allow you to earn while you learn, apprenticeships pay you to learn a trade in the work environment.
An internship allows you to learn before you earn, as their focus is mainly on showing you what it would be like to work in a specific job or work environment before you choose a career.
An Overview Of Internships
Internships are short-term periods of temporary work. Typically offered by employers to students, or recent grads, lasting anywhere to a few weeks to a few months.
You can intern in public as well as private organizations. A lot of people do an internship to gain on-the-job experience, working in a particular field, organization or industry sector.
An internship can help you decide if you want to follow a specific career before fully committing to it. It will also help you acquire experience that boosts your long-term career prospects.
Yes, you would learn skills from an internship, but it’s going to be a bit more on the educational side of things rather than OJT.
An Overview Of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are employee training systems that combine On-the-Job training (OJT) and classroom-related instructions. They offer structured hands-on training, while under the supervision of craft professionals.
Apprenticeship programs usually last anywhere from 1 to 6 years, and once your apprenticeship is complete, you will be a qualified skilled needed worker in the field you’ve chosen.
In countries like Canada, Apprenticeship training can assist you in obtaining a Certificate of Qualification (CoQ). This certifies you to work in around fifty trades across the country.
Benefits of an Internship
An internship allows you first-hand experience of working in your chosen field. It allows you to put the skills and knowledge you learned at the university into practice.
Internships provide you a great opportunity to gain knowledge from the people around you while providing experience and skills you need to enhance your resume.
Benefits Of an Apprenticeship
Unlike some training programs, apprenticeship pays you to learn.
Apprenticeships give you fantastic experience in the working world and show employers that you can be proficient at the job.
Hands-on training allows you the opportunity to put your skills into practice and helps you gain a lot more confidence in the work environment.
Apprenticeship programs allow you to learn at your own pace with the support of a mentor or trained professional.
Job training is all about learning while doing and gaining experience from an expert in your industry.
Through an apprenticeship, you can gain higher qualifications allowing room for future career growth.
Intern and Apprentice Salaries
While most internships are unpaid, some internships pay.
Unpaid internships in the private sector must meet regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
This is to ensure establishments don’t substitute paid employees for interns, and that internships have a suitable educational focus.
Apprenticeship, on the other hand, pay you while you learn. Although, it is likely that you’re going to earn a low wage at the start of your training.
But don’t fret because wage typically increases as you gain experience and skills during your apprenticeship training.
Comparison of Apprenticeship & Internship
Apprenticeships are longer than internships
Internships are work-based learning. Whereas, apprenticeships are work-based training.
Internship training is provided to undergraduate students, while apprenticeship training is provided to prospective employees.
Apprenticeship training is also a part of Vocational Education and Training. While, Internships, may or may not be a part of formal education.
A job is in the hands of the trainees at the end of an apprenticeship, meanwhile, internship training ends with an experience to the intern.
As an intern, you may or may not be paid. Apprentices are always paid.
What Path is Best you?
Want to learn a skill or craft, be on the site and in the action, while you earn? Then go for an apprenticeship.
Are you in between classes but want experience in a field that interests you during your summer break? Apply for an internship.
Both avenues offer great opportunities to work in the field and gain educational benefits, which is best for you? Ultimately, only you can decide.
OJT Supports Internships and Apprenticeships
OJT is the umbrella for all things job training related. We support career seekers regardless of which path they choose. All we aim to do is provide career seekers with the information they need to make the most well-informed decision possible.