6 common challenges for apprentices and how to solve them

Maybe you're about to start a new apprenticeship and have no idea what to expect. Or maybe you're already in the thick of your program, wondering if everyone else feels as overwhelmed as you do.

Spoiler alert: They probably do.

Apprenticeships are designed to be challenging. That's how we learn. And while the opportunity to earn while you learn makes apprenticeships attractive, understanding both the pros and cons of apprenticeship programs is important if you want to succeed.

Here are the top six apprenticeship challenges we've seen, drawing from both our own experience of running apprenticeships and what we've heard from sponsors nationwide.

1. The balancing act of work and school

In a registered apprenticeship, you earn paid work experience in your chosen field while receiving classroom instruction. It's an efficient system that helps job seekers develop skills in lucrative industries

But, it's like they say – if it were easy, everyone would do it.

Apprentices are expected to perform a job. They're also expected to dedicate time to learning and skill building through coursework. And the workloads of each fluctuate often. You may have weeks where both your job and classes place heavy demands on you, and it can be tough to juggle it all.

The good news is, you can handle this balancing act with the right approach. Start by getting really clear with both your employer and instructors about expectations. Keep a detailed calendar of both work deadlines and class assignments, and don't wait until the last minute on coursework – trust us, that's when a major work project will inevitably pop up.

2. Time management struggles

Time management is key to having a successful apprenticeship experience. Unfortunately, the time estimates for both work projects and coursework might be vastly underestimated. This can put you in a tough position trying to get everything done on time.

While this is less common in traditional trades, newer apprenticeship fields like IT and healthcare are still figuring out realistic timelines. We saw this firsthand at WorkHands with our software developer apprentice. The coursework took longer than expected, but we were lucky – our asynchronous curriculum and flexible work schedule gave our apprentice the breathing room they needed.

But not every sponsor can dial back workloads when things get tight.

So here's what you can do: stay ridiculously organized. Map out your tasks, use a calendar system, and speak up early if you're falling behind. Having that conversation with your supervisors and teachers before you're underwater can make all the difference.

3. Difficulty seeing the bigger picture

Often apprentices jump into a registered apprenticeship without really having a long-term vision. This is especially true for programs outside of the skilled trades careers that just don't have a deep history of apprenticeships.

These apprentices are essentially swimming in uncharted waters. As a result, they don't fully know where the program will take them in their careers.

Sound like you? Start by reaching out to other apprentices in your program. It will help to connect with people who are going through the same experience, and you might be able to take some inspiration from their long-term goals.

You can also look at your program's wage schedule (located in the apprenticeship standards) to see exactly how your earning potential grows as you build skills. And don't be afraid to ask your mentor about their career path, either. Even if they didn't go through an apprenticeship themselves, they should be able to help you understand how your training can benefit you.

4. Mentorship challenges

Speaking of mentors, it isn't guaranteed you'll get a great one. Especially in the industries that are just starting to offer apprenticeship programs, your mentors might not have gone through a program themselves.

Maybe they had this role hoisted upon them, maybe they're still figuring out where mentorship fits in their day-to-day tasks. No matter what, a lack of apprenticeship program knowledge can pose a real challenge.

And even if you're going through a more traditional apprenticeship and your mentor does have program experience, you still might experience mentorship problems such as personality differences.

So what can you do if you find yourself dealing with a bad mentor? Try to take ownership of your learning process. Don't wait for your mentor to come to you; document your questions and schedule regular check-ins. Also, try to build a network beyond your assigned mentor. Connect with other apprentices, reach out to journey workers, and don't be shy about asking your program coordinator for additional resources.

5. Full-time work, part-time salary

From a financial standpoint, an apprenticeship is a great deal. Not only are you getting paid for your work, but the education you need to become certified is also either partially or totally covered.

But there is one drawback: As an apprentice, your wage will typically be 50-60% of an employed worker's full-time wage. That means you need to be prepared to grow into your full-time salary, which can take anywhere from 2-4 years (depending on your program's length).

For some, this can be a deal breaker. Their financial needs in the short term may be too great. But for most people, the short-term sacrifice is worth the long-term benefits that paid apprenticeships have to offer. Again, you'll want to have a good understanding of the big picture (refer to our wage-schedule advice in #3) to know if this is the right move for you.

6. Accommodating other needs outside of work

Finally, there's the life stuff that we all deal with: transportation issues, childcare needs, health problems... These challenges can upset anybody's plans, but for busy apprentices who are trying to navigate work and school, they can throw a real wrench into things.

So how can you navigate these issues while staying on top of your work and classwork? It's hard to plan for the unexpected, but as much as you can, try to get ahead of these problems before they disrupt your program.

Figure out what support you might need, whether that's reliable transportation, childcare coverage, or healthcare. Then talk to your program coordinator – many apprenticeship programs today recognize the increased need for what we call "wraparound services" designed specifically to help with these challenges.

Maybe there's a bus pass program you don't know about, or flexible scheduling options for parents. Even if your program doesn't have formal support services, they might know about local resources, or connect you with other apprentices who've faced similar struggles.

Made it this far? You'll be fine.

The challenges we've outlined aren't meant to discourage anyone from pursuing a registered apprenticeship. Rather, this list of "apprenticeship cons" is meant to be a reality check to help new apprentices understand what they might face during their program.

We fully believe that registered apprenticeships are one of the most effective ways for people to build valuable skills, expand their careers, and earn while they learn. It's a worthy investment of your time and energy that will pay off later in big ways.

With the right preparation, these challenges can be nothing more than footnotes in your overall apprenticeship experience. Remember, it's all a part of the learning process.