Joining an apprenticeship programme: The key steps

Don't worry, all vacancies will show you how to apply. Take a look at some of the ones that interest you on Career Finder.

But rest assured, if you make it to a company's shortlist – you’ll be invited to an interview.

Which means you’ll need to be prepared, and come with a beautifully polished CV. Good job we can help you with that. 

Just head over to Career Finder and create an account.

• Search for all apprenticeship roles.
• Filter by subject area, role type, location, and level of apprenticeship.
• Shortlist jobs.
• Sign up for alerts.
• Keep tabs on applications you've made.  

Take a look at our guide to finding a good apprenticeship.

• Use the search function and filters.
• Sign up for alerts on Career Finder so you never miss new vacancies.
• Approach employers directly with a letter and your CV.

See our list of requirements for an apprenticeship to make sure you’re ticking all the boxes.

• Research the role, employer and, importantly, the apprenticeship standard.
• Check your eligibility.
• Craft your CV and cover letter.
• Ask for feedback on your communication skills and body language.
• Practise answering any questions you think you'll be asked.
• Keep a record of all the apprenticeships you apply to, along with their closing dates.

If you don't hear back within three to four weeks, make contact with either the company or the person dealing with your application, and ask when you might know if you're being invited for an interview. 

We’ve got plenty of resources to help keep you out of the ‘no’ pile, from our guide to how to write a CV that stands out, to preparing for an apprenticeship interview.

• Research the role in full, including the apprenticeship standard.
• Delve into the company history and do some professional stalking:
  • check their social media
  • read their blog
  • research any successful deals they’ve won
  • look for unusual snippets to mention in the interview
• Identify your strengths, and examples of when you've used them successfully.
• Show your professional side, but relax and smile too.
• Re-read your application and get others to proofread it.
• Dress smart and be punctual. Arrive ten minutes beforehand.
• Turn off your phone.
• Be confident and believe in yourself.

After your interview, collect your thoughts and learn what you can from the experience.

Make a note of any questions you were asked which you feel you could have answered better. Did you notice any changes in the interviewer's body language, whether positive or negative? That's a great starting point.

If you’re not successful, just remember it’s a competitive process. Make sure you ask for feedback on how you could have improved your interview style or answers, and thank them for their time.

Stay positive, and use all of the feedback you receive to help you nail your next application.

Download  Which? Higher and degree apprenticeships guide 2020 (18.91 MB)

Hopefully you’re getting used to hearing this by now: application deadlines will differ from one vacancy to the next.

But importantly, employers won’t always hang around until the deadline to wait for any last-minute applications. If they’ve got enough applicants, they can close the vacancy at any time.

But that’s no reason to rush. The most important thing is to make a start on any new applications, and do it in bitesize chunks.

With regular breaks and dangerous quantities of caffeine, you'll find you're on track to make the best possible application – gaining confidence all the while.  

Our guide on the requirements for an apprenticeship will help you make sure you tick all the right boxes.

There’s plenty of helpful information to guide you.

• Take a look at our other apprenticeship resources for a deeper look at apprenticeships as a whole.
• The National Apprenticeship Service website is a useful source of information and advice, and you can call them on 0800 100 900.
• You can speak with advisers at The National Careers Service either face-to-face, or via their web chat. Call 0800 100 900 or chat here.

A good place to start is by reading this guide by Disability Rights UK.

It answers a lot of common questions, like how to find an apprenticeship, whether training will be accessible, and how to find out what support a potential employer has in place for disabled colleagues.

You’ll also find stories from real apprentices talking about their experiences with the application process and in the workplace, along with links to a whole range of other useful resources.