When people picture life after high school, many of them imagine college classrooms. But for many young people in Texas, the next step is an apprenticeship. An apprentice is a worker who learns a skilled trade on the job, guided by experienced workers, while also taking classes.

Apprenticeships exist in many fields, including electrical work, plumbing, welding, and heating and air-conditioning repair. In most programs, apprentices are paid from the first day. Their wages usually start lower than an experienced worker's and rise as they learn more. This is one of the biggest differences between an apprenticeship and many other kinds of training: instead of paying to learn, the apprentice is paid while learning.

A typical week might include four days on job sites and an evening class. On the job, an apprentice electrician might begin by carrying materials and pulling wire through walls while a licensed electrician checks the work. In class, the same apprentice studies safety rules, electrical codes, and the math needed to plan a circuit. Over time, the apprentice takes on harder tasks with less supervision.

Apprenticeships take time. Many last several years, and the work can be physically demanding. Hot attics in a Texas August are part of the job. Apprentices also need to be reliable. A crew that is counting on someone to show up at 6:30 in the morning cannot wait for a person who arrives late.

Students who are curious about the trades do not have to wait until graduation to explore them. Many Texas high schools offer career and technical education courses in areas like construction and welding, where students can find out whether working with their hands is a good fit.