What is the best apprenticeship program?

If you're faced with deciding between several apprenticeships, though, there are some factors to consider that can make one better or worse than another.

Good pay, for one, can make an apprenticeship easier to be a part of because you can then focus on your program instead of on how to make ends meet.

The experience and reputation of the professional(s) mentoring you can also be a major factor in what sets an apprenticeship apart. Try to find one with a respected company where you know you'll get good quality instruction and coaching.

In addition, you'll want one that gives you the experience you actually need. If you want to be a carpenter because you want to frame houses, for example, apprenticing with someone who mainly does cabinetwork may give you an interesting experience, but it won't give you a good foundation for your career.

This is also an important thing to be aware of if you're already working in your field of choice and you want or need to do an apprenticeship to further specialize or learn a new technique within that field.