What is an apprenticeship
College is too expensive, too long and the teaching style is not effective. Lecture is the worst teaching method and only 30% of students actually read the textbook. Apprenticeships are built on the idea of learning by doing. They have been around for centuries. They provide better learning conditions (hands-on in a real-life environment), are more engaged and greatly increase the pace of learning. The Apprentice Academy facilitates this model of education by partnering with the largest and best employers in the state. These businesses and practices want to hire the most prepared employees once they've demonstrated mastery of skills and competencies. In short, the new road of education goes directly to a career, not to a college.
For many careers (a dental assistant for example), The Apprentice Academy programs are 50 to 75% less expensive than college and 2 to 3 times faster. It is all about the learning environment. Apprentices are employed and begin working six to nine months earlier. That means a Dental Assistant has already made $15,000 before a student on the college track even finishes their program (with a $17,000 school debt to repay).
Program Costs and Financing Options
The Apprentice Academy provides Dental Assisting students with training that is 50% to 75% less than the cost of college programs and 2 to 3 times as fast. Our partners are the largest dental groups in the state and are hiring DAs once they demonstrate competence as apprentices. Since we are not a college, we do not accept federal or state financial aid. We do provide several flexible payment options to fit your specific situation.
The Apprentice Academy provides everything a Dental Assistant needs to successfully work in the state of Colorado and obtain employment as a dental assistant. Apprentices who complete our program are equally qualified as those who complete a longer college program. The Apprentice Academy program includes:
-core dental knowledge -hands-on training to achieve competency
-books, materials and scrubs -preparation for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam
-local personal mentors from start to finish -320 hours of hands-on training by practicing dental experts
-training at offices that are hiring -professional job placement assistance if needed
-CPR/BLS training -career pathway (EDDA, DH) guidance and insider contacts
-100% guarantee: apprentices who complete the program will receive a job offer (no college will make this)
Payment Policy: Payment is require prior to beginning apprentice program or if electing various payment plans, prior to the beginning of each specified period (i.e. before the start of week 5 or before the start of each week). Failure to honor financial obligations will cause a delay in program participation and, repeated missed obligations will result in dismissal.
Payment Options: We do not offer loans but refer to you private banking institutions or credit granting entities . We do provide several flexible payment options to fit your specific financial situation (see above). Each payment plan has specific terms and conditions (outlined during the enrollment and payment process).
Cancellation and refunds: Since an apprenticeship takes place in a working dental office, last minute or spontaneous absences or withdrawals have a severe negative impact on office operations and patient care. As such, the cancellation policy is strict and rigorously enforced.
Cancellation is permitted with no fee or penalty up to one week prior to Apprenticeship program start date. If cancelled within 1 week prior to start date and start date, a $250 fee will be charged. If canceling after first day of Apprenticeship, regular refund policy applies.
Regular refund policy: If the apprentice decides to withdraw from the program, a 50% refund of total program costs will be given up to, but not beyond week 4 of the apprenticeship. Once the apprentice participates beyond week 4, there are no refunds. Withdrawal must be submitted in writing or by email.
- 5% Discount
Entire Program Pre-pay
4,500$Pre-pay the entire Apprentice program and receive a 5% discount.- -instant 5% discount
- -program price includes scrubs, books and materials.
- -due upon signed enrollment (to receive 5% discount)
- -no FAFSA or use of Federal grants/loans
- -Certificate granted upon completion of program
- -job placement service (free) as needed
- -EDDA pathway & recommendation
2 Payment Plan Option
2,250$Every 4 monthsPay 50% prior to program start and 50% at or prior to start of week 5.- -program price includes scrubs, books and materials.
- -allows payment to be split up and paid at two intervals
- -no FAFSA or use of Federal grants/loans
- -Certificate granted at completion of program
- -job placement service (Free) as needed
- -EDDA pathway & recommendation
Flex Payment Plan
450$Every weekMake smaller payments over the term of the Apprenticeship.- -program price includes scrubs, books and materials.
- -no FAFSA or use of federal grants/loans.
- -Certificate granted upon completion of program
- -job placement service as needed ($200 fee)
Week 4
This is the second transition week of shadowing at the dental office. You will continue to spend time in the dental office shadowing (no direct participation yet) with your office mentor(s) while also continuing to master dental basics.
Required: Aside from the couple daily hours in the office, 2 remote sessions during week to supplement continued core knowledge study.
Week 5 through 12
Apprentices are entirely on site, shadowing, practicing and becoming competent at DA tasks under the guidance of dental professionals as mentors. Apprentices will be assigned to a daily AM or a PM shift, whichever works best with their personal/family responsibilities.
DA Program Outline/Schedule
An apprenticeship is different than a college program. We are not bound by hard term deadlines. Your success is not measured by an exam. Learning takes place in the dental office, not a classroom with fake patients. As an apprentice, you learn as fast or as slow as you put in effort and time. The timeframes below are general guidelines to shoot for and are expected by our apprenticeship partners.
Week 3
This is the first of two transition weeks. You will be spending time in the dental office shadowing (no direct participation yet) with your office mentor(s) while also continuing to master dental basics.
Required: Aside from the couple daily hours in the office, 2 remote sessions during week to supplement continued core knowledge study.
Week 2
Core knowledge coursework, continued. Your TAA mentor will guide you into anatomy & physiology, sterilization, infection, dental materials, etc. Saturday will be a tour and orientation of the dentist office.
Required: 2 remote sessions during week to supplement/guide your daily study. Saturday tour and orientation of dental office.
Week 1
Core knowledge coursework. Guided by your TAA mentor, you will be introduced and study core dental concepts such as the dental team, tools & equipment, office management, the DA role, etc.
Required: Saturday (start/1st lesson) and a mid-week PM remote sessions (designed with minimal impact to your family/work obligations).
No one would buy a $90,000 car without doing a test drive to ensure they loved it. But that is exactly how we are approaching college and our kid's future career choice.
Most high school grads have no idea what they want to do for a profession... our educational system has failed them. And you are going to pay a big price for it. Families spend $25,000+ for a year at college pursuing a major (future job) they realize they do not want. Students change their major (wasting thousands of dollars and precious time) and roll the dice on their new choice. It doesn't have to be this way. There are over 31,000 occupational titles. What if there was a way to "test drive" them in advance and get an informed idea about which is the best fit?
A micro-apprenticeship permits students to "test drive" a career and gain a solid understanding if it is something they really want to pursue. Apprentices get real-world experience, a mentor and invaluable insight into a profession they wish to "test drive." How much is it worth when a person discovers their passion and makes it a career! One week and $500 is an investment that could change your life!