Applying For Apprenticeships
For many students who finish their GCSEs and A Levels, the prospect of continuing education or doing a degree seems rather daunting; with many school-leavers opting to go straight into the workplace by joining an apprenticeship scheme.
Apprenticeships in England are open to anyone aged 16 and over, who is not in full-time education.
As well as providing you with a salary, apprenticeships also offer on the job training to help you build a career in almost any industry. Apprenticeships are designed to nurture the individual within a chosen company, often through close mentoring schemes run by the employer, rigorous testing, and a general sense of support from workplace colleagues. This means that as an apprentice, you will not only get the opportunity to acquire new skills, but you will also have many opportunities to test these skills in a comfortable environment.
With so many opportunities on offer, it can be hard to know where to start. The main thing is to keep an open mind. Given the magnitude of industries offering apprenticeship schemes, from anything between engineering to journalism, it’s important to do your research and widen your knowledge.
To see what kind of apprenticeships are currently on offer, you can check out our live jobs and apprenticeship board. Alternatively, you can also check out Get In and Go Far. But don’t limit yourself to what information is already out there. If at first you don’t find anything you like, then why not go the extra mile and research a few different companies’ yourself? You might be surprised by just how many impressive companies in the UK offer apprenticeship schemes to school-leavers.
Once you have decided on an apprenticeship to apply for, the next step will be to start thinking about the employer for whom you would be working; make sure that the apprenticeship offers a structure that suits your needs, but also see what qualities you have to offer the company in return.
Think first impressions don’t matter, well they do! It’s time to bring out that CV - ensure it is fully updated and as polished as it can be. For CV templates and guidances visit Capita Specialist Recruitmnent. You'll also need to dust off of all those achievements - whether it’s that recently won sports trophy or your excellent academic record - employers want to see what you have to offer. Make sure you stand out, and for all the right reasons!
And if you need a little extra help, then make sure to ask seek out the careers service at your institution, who will be more than happy to provide you with advice about how to fill in applications, write CVs, as well as help you prepare for any up-coming interviews.
But the most important thing to remember is that whether you are successful or not the first time you apply for an apprenticeship, don’t be disheartened. Not every scheme you apply to is going to end up being a perfect match. And even if you are successful on your first time, you might eventually decide that a particular job or company isn’t right for you. But investigating the workplace by exploring a range of industries, whilst developing your skills and earning money is certainly a great way to venture into your career!
- By Aysel Capinoglu
