Apprenticeship vs. Internship: Pros and Cons

While Apprenticeships and Internships both technically provide participants with on-the-job experience, the similarities end there.

Registered Apprenticeship Programs are regulated, work-based learning programs that are designed to create pathways into the workforce for in-demand roles, while internships are intended to give students and recent graduates loosely defined workplace exposure in their chosen field.

Knowing the differences between the two can help companies and candidates determine which program will best meet their specific needs.

What is an Apprenticeship Program?

Registered Apprenticeships are regulated, work-based learning programs that combine paid full-time employment, On-the-Job training, Supplemental Coursework, and a Progressive Wage Schedule to create industry-informed pathways into the workforce for apprentices, and reliable talent pipelines for in-demand roles for employers.

It is possible for apprentices to enter the program with no experience in their chosen occupation. They train on the job and progress through a wage schedule that is in line with their technical competencies and coursework. Then, upon completion, apprentices receive nationally recognized credentials and an offer for full-time employment. They also may receive college credit for their work. 

Apprenticeships are rigorous and regulated programs that adhere to strict quality standards. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 29, Parts 29 and 30, governs registered Apprenticeships, which are overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor. The programs establish cost-effective, long-term solutions to help companies acquire talent through on-the-job training, technical instruction, and mentorships.

What is an Internship?

Internships have a less clear outcome in mind and abide by fewer regulations than Apprenticeship compliance.

Designed for students and recent graduates, internships are put together to provide participants with real-world experience in specific industries that align with their areas of study. These programs are usually around 3-6 months, unpaid, and have loosely defined projects and goals. An intern’s responsibilities may include administrative work, running office errands, or assisting industry professionals with their work.

Pros and Cons: 5 Differences Between Apprenticeships and Internships

The easiest way to remember the differences between an Apprenticeship and an internship is by the 5 “Cs”: Compensation, Commitment, Credentials, Curriculum (and training), and Career. Each “C” represents a key difference between the two program types.

1. Compensation. Apprentices get paid as they learn, while most interns do not. Interns spend more time learning about the industry than contributing, while apprentices contribute almost immediately. Interns and apprentices may receive class credit for their work. Depending on the industry, interns might get paid for their work. For example, an engineering intern working on biomedical devices may get paid, while a general intern for a marketing firm may not.
2. Commitment: Apprenticeships last longer than internships. Most people intern for a semester or a summer. Apprentices work full-time and learn from on-the-job mentors in a Registered Apprenticeship Program.
3. Credential: Apprentices receive a nationally recognized credential once they complete a Registered Apprenticeship Program. Interns do not. The credential shows the apprentice has mastered the skills needed to be proficient in a specific occupation. Employers across the U.S. recognize and accept this credential, meaning an apprentice’s newly acquired skills and knowledge are transferable to employment opportunities across the nation. Some programs also give apprentices an opportunity to apply credits toward a college degree or technical certificate. 
4. Curriculum and Training: Apprenticeships deliver a structured training plan focused on specific skills, while internships train on entry-level general work experience. Apprentices receive training from workplace mentors. These seasoned professionals deliver training in trade-specific skills or knowledge that gets reinforced through related instruction from technical schools, community colleges, Apprenticeship training schools, or even the business itself.
5. Career: Being an apprentice has a competitive advantage in the workplace. Ninety percent of apprentices receive a full-time job offer upon completion of their apprenticeship program. In contrast, 70% of full-time interns are offered a job at the company where they interned, with 56% of these job offers for full-time employment and 14% for part-time roles, according to Zippia.

Employers value technical skills, industry knowledge, and employees with drive, dedication, and a strong work ethic. They also respect the credentials that apprentices receive upon completion of their Registered Apprenticeship Program. Prospective employers know apprentices worked full-time while attending school to complete the program and advance their careers, which opens up doors to employment nationwide.

Takeaway: Apprenticeships Lay the Groundwork for a Long-Term Career

The hands-on experience offered by both Apprenticeships and Internships is valuable but by no means equal. Apprenticeships pay apprentices from day one, put them through rigorous training schedules, and require supplemental classroom instruction. Internships are rarely paid, aren’t held to any quality standards, and don’t award certifications or credentials upon completion.

There is a time and place for both Apprenticeships and Internships — but they fill very different needs. If you’re looking to engage with your local university by providing candidates with real-world experience in a specific field, an internship may be the best route. If your company is looking to build a reliable pipeline of candidates for in-demand positions for years to come though, a Registered Apprenticeship Program is certainly a better approach.