**Apprenticeship programs serve as an effective and affordable means of obtaining employment for young people.** Apprenticeship programs allow students to learn skills while already on the job. Considering the rising cost of higher education and the decrease of employment opportunities, apprenticeship programs can become an effective solution to unemployment and lack of economic security. Apprenticeship programs can become an attractive alternative to a college education. In 10 different states, these programs have increased participants’ annual earnings by $5,879 in the ninth year after enrolling and a lifetime earnings increase of $98,718. [1] The option becomes more appealing considering the cost of the alternative: higher education. Currently, attending universities incurs significant opportunity costs for young people. The subsequent debt can have a long-term impact on the economic security of these people. [2] In particular, low-income students have consistently struggled with graduating from university and obtaining suitable employment after graduation. Hence, the “learn at work” model could allow these students a chance to increase human capital without losing short-term incomes. As of now, the United States has not invested significantly in apprenticeship programs. Without government fundings, employers are unlikely to spend their resources on apprenticeship programs. As a result, the U.S. has at most 10% per capita number of apprentices of many European countries. [3] Apprenticeship programs lack history and track records in the United States. However, the idea has proven beneficial in many countries and currently receives bipartisan support. Hence, the U.S. should expand apprenticeship programs. [1]. Kuehn, Daniel. 2021. "Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs Deserve A Chance To Thrive". Blog. Urban Wire. https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/industry-recognized-apprenticeship-programs-deserve-chance-thrive. [2]. Lerman, Robert. 2014. "Proposal 7: Expanding Apprenticeship Opportunities In The United States". The Hamilton Project. The Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/expand_apprenticeships_united_states_lerman.pdf. [3]. Herzenberg, Stephen. 2017. "Apprenticeship Weak". Blog. Working Economics Blog. https://www.epi.org/blog/trump-apprenticeship-proposal/.

**TL;DR - Apprenticeships are a good idea to reduce unemployment in the United States, but much work needs to be done at the state level before making the apprenticeship system work.** As my professor used to say, "it's the college craze!" has avoided apprenticeship to reach their full potential in the United States. They seem to not be as popular here as the college dream. Since the U.S. has trouble implementing education policy at the federal level, apprenticeship programs' success relies on the state's educational structure. Finding an apprenticeship can be difficult as they're highly competitive and come with immense pressure once you're in [1]. There is little collaboration between schools and apprenticeship in the United States despite the past three U.S. presidents promoting the idea. Some states like Colorado and South Carolina have actually implemented successful apprenticeship programs that bring students and industries together, similarly to how college enrollment departments collaborate with high schools [2]. Benefits to industries and mentors include $1,000 tax deductions per apprentice and training not usually offered by other apprenticeship programs [3]. However, without an implemented program in every state, young workers will have difficulty obtaining an apprenticeship. Here in the state of Idaho, most mentors and businesses pick older candidates with related work experience unless there's some agreement with a technical college or a high school program. There's still plenty to be done at the state level before apprenticeships can be promoted as a viable option. Works Cited [1] Apprenticeship or Technical School: What's Right For You? https://www.lincolntech.edu/news/industry-news/apprenticeship-technical-school [2] Why are apprenticeships a good idea that have never really taken off in the U.S.? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/12/22/why-are-apprenticeships-a-good-idea-that-have-never-really-taken-off-in-the-u-s/ [3] Proposal 7: Expanding Apprenticeship Opportunities in the United States https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/expand_apprenticeships_united_states_lerman.pdf