Trade School Vs Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)

 

 

The Versus Series

 

 

Introduction

One of my 2024 goals is to increase this brand’s exposure – and one way to do that is greater social media presence.

Enter Reddit.

I began a Reddit profile because I thought it would bring this website (and podcast) more exposure.

And I was right. Thus far, it has yielded some connections, Apprentice Spotlights (a series where I have apprentices on the podcast), and – surprisingly, the idea to do this article. I’ve noticed in various skilled trade discussions that people routinely talk about going to a trade school, getting into a trade school, asking questions about a trade school, etc.

What’s more, my replies have all been to promote Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) instead, and the confusion that stems from it is noteworthy.

There are so many people who do not know what a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is, believe that trade school IS a type of apprenticeship, and there are even some who believe trade school is superior to a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). (Spoiler alert: they aren’t).

This prompted me to write this post. Now, each of these deserves its own article – something I will likely write in the future as part of The What Series (What is a Trade School? and What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program ((RAP))?- but for now, I thought a post comparing the two was necessary; something I could point people to so they could see their differences.

To that end, let’s explore them both.

 

 

Let’s look at exactly what each of them are

 

 

What is a Trade School?

ACT, a trade school itself, defines a trade school this way: “A trade school, also known as a vocational or technical school, focuses on providing hands-on training and education in specific trades. These schools offer specialized programs that prepare students for careers in certain industries. ”

This is a workable definition and one we can build on.

 

What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)?

Apprentice.gov, a United States official website, explains Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) this way: “Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.  Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency” – emphasis mine.

This is a good definition that covers what I believe is important.

 

Major Differences Between the Two

We will explore this in greater detail, but right from the start, we begin to see the differences between them. And that’s the point of this article: to explore and explain the differences, clearing up the confusion that’s so prevalent.

For starters, the first significant difference I’ve highlighted is that you receive “paid work experience” with a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). but there is no mention of this with trade school. Let’s explore this further.

 

YOU Pay to Attend a Trade School Vs. YOU Get Paid While You Learn in Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs)

Would you rather pay or get paid?

 

Trade schools are NOT free – you, the student, pay to attend. This is true whether you are learning welding or cosmetology. In both cases, the instructors, as well as the school, have to receive income, and that income comes from you, the student.

What are those costs?

Well, according to Best Colleges, they are around $15,000. Edvisors has some costs listed – which they attempt to label completion of it under “diplomas” – ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.

So, let’s be generous and say it’s $10,000.

$10,000 you pay to attend a trade school that will teach you skills to then go into a specific trade. Some people may not think this is a problem. After all, when compared to the cost of college overall, it’s significantly less. (Caveat: while researching the cost for trade schools, each website did this EXACT thing: compare trade school costs to colleges).

Let’s compare that to Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and see the differences.

 

 

Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs), on the other hand, pay YOU. More accurately, you are paid by the company you are working for while in the apprenticeship program. The reason? Because you are working for an employer who pays into a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).

Recall the definition from Apprentice.gov: “paid work experience, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction…”

There it is in black and white from the government: You receive paid work experience because you are working while learning (on the job AND classroom instruction), all while getting wage increases – typically, but not always, in a 6-month increment.

And it goes without saying that you are also getting the skills needed to do the job. Who doesn’t like the sound of that?

When we compare the two, there is a clear winner: Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs).

 

Trade School Does Not Care or Concern Itself if There is No Work Vs. Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) Try to Take in Apprentices When They Can Put You to Work

 

This is another point that needs to be elaborated on because I see/hear people all the time saying they can get into a trade school, but not a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). While it isn’t always precise, there are times when this makes sense.

Trade schools are, in the most basic sense, a business. Yes, they are providing someone with training, and yes, you can then use that training to go out and find a job, but it is transactional: you have paid them for that.

This challenges people’s paradigms because we want to believe there is some altruistic intent when, in reality, it’s a simple business transaction.

And because it is a simple business transaction, trade schools will always take applicants in so long as they pay. That’s how they operate. Whether you can put what you’ve learned to work or not comes in a distant second – if it’s even considered at all.

Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs), however, are connected with a contractor base. They operate on a supply and demand model where if the contractors aren’t hiring (for a number of reasons we won’t get into in this article), they do not want to bring in too many apprentices. They may not be able to put you to work. They don’t want to waste your time or theirs. If that seems more selective than trade schools, then you’re right: it is.

For this reason, Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are a better option.

 

Trade Schools Do Not Follow Governmental Guidelines Ensuring Quality Vs. Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) Which Are Governed by the Department of Labor (DOL)

 

Another point worth noting is that trade schools, while often associated with colleges that are accredited, are not subject to governmental guidelines – at least not the ones you may typically think about or benefit from. Before they hand out or award a “diploma” for – let’s say welding, they may have a specific number of credits they want you to accumulate (typically, you pay for and are awarded 3 credit hours per class). Does this automatically translate into greater quality? Does it mean that you are getting the best bang for your buck? Are you better off going this route?

I’d argue it doesn’t. What’s more, many “diplomas” from colleges (which many trade schools are affiliated with) are often full of “filler” classes; those that are unnecessary in the grand scheme of things.

 

Related: Read College Class Hazing and Classes – Not Degrees – Enhance An Individual

 

Trade schools may have a robust amount of curriculum, and they may even over-emphasize (for your benefit) a specific subject, but there is still one more additional caveat they don’t bring to the table: a nationally-recognized credential.

As I write this, hanging on the wall behind me are, among others, two different completion of apprenticeship certificates: one from the organization I’m a part of and the other from the state government. If I moved across the country, my certificates would be recognized there. Could we say the same thing about a trade school?

Perhaps, but I wouldn’t bank on it. Whereas trade school completion “diplomas” are a possibility, completion of a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a certainty.

 

Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) have been the golden standard for decades now. Regulated by the Department of Labor (DOL), they have guidelines and requirements – including curriculum, on-the-job hours, and classroom instruction – to ensure quality is achieved.

Moreover, the Department of Labor (DOL) conducts audits of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) too; this is done to ensure quality is maintained. Again, according to Apprentice.gov, we read that “Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency.”

 

Additional Internal and External Layers of Quality

There are TWO additional layers of quality added to the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) model: internal and external.

Internal quality is done via a sponsoring entity like an international union governing the program. Think Ironworkers, Electricians, Pipefitters, etc.

External would be the contractors themselves. The contractors have a say in how the training is conducted, sit on the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC – a governing body made up of contractors and labor, hence the word “joint”), and contribute more than money.

These additional layers of complexity are there to ensure top quality is maintained for the contractor, industry, and, most of all, the apprentice.

When you contrast what trade schools give you and are governed by with what Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are subject to and governed by – the Department of Labor (DOL), Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), and internal audits – the differences are night and day.

 

Conclusion

 

The above article and differences between trade schools and Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) is NOT exhaustive; indeed, there are other differences that could (and likely will) be covered in “What is a Trade School?” and “What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)?” but for the sake of this comparison, it serves us well.

What’s more, this article isn’t meant to denounce trade schools, either. Indeed, there are several subjects or focuses that do not seem to have a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) counterpart. Where that is the case, a trade school makes sense.

However, when there is a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) alternative, it is the better of the two choices. You do not pay but are paid, you aren’t concerned with having to find your own employment, and the standards are superior.

With those differences, we can easily see why the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) model has been around for decades and should be the vehicle that introduces people into the skilled trades.

Additionally, if you have questions or comments or are looking for conversations or an introduction to a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) near you, feel free to contact me. I’ll help get you in touch with the appropriate people and trade.

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