For on-the-job training, gaining work experience, and often a faster track to education, apprenticeships offer an underrated path to a successful career. Learn how to find an apprenticeship and which jobs are viable options to gain this valuable experience.
America
Finding an apprenticeship in your line of work might seem daunting. However, resources like Apprenticeship USA and State Apprenticeship Agencies bring the opportunity closer to reach. Registered apprenticeships combine competitive wages, on the job learning, and nationally recognized credentials to set job seekers up for future success.
While apprenticeships are typically viewed as limited to fields like construction, electrical work, engineering, and other blue collar positions, this hands-on learning can be practiced in many roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected overall employment change by 2031 in 30 occupations that had the largest number of registered apprentices in 2022. Those jobs include:
- Barbers, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
- Housekeeping Cleaners
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Machinists
- Maintenance and Repair Workers
- Medical Assistants
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Canada
Each province and territory executes its own apprenticeship program to promote careers in the trades. Apprenticeship training is supported by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA). The CCDA also oversees the Red Seal Program, which awards an endorsement to tradespersons who pass the Red Seal examination, providing a national standard for knowledge of the trades.
Job seekers looking for an apprenticeship can use the Ellis Chart to search for qualifications and requirements throughout the provinces and territories. Resources like the Job Bank can help job seekers find available apprenticeships, and Careers in Trades’ “A Guide to Careers in the Skilled Trades” booklet highlights the benefits of apprenticeships for young people.
Registrations for apprenticeships exceeded their pre-pandemic levels for many trades in 2022, according to Statistics Canada. More than 220,000 new apprentices are needed to meet demand in the trades by 2028 in the following jobs:
- Cook
- Hairstylist
- Welder
- Industrial Electrician
- Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
If you’re looking for a job after completing an apprenticeship, contact the office nearest you.
Last Updated on August 28, 2025
