How to apply for an apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are a great way to start your career and have many benefits for both the apprentice and the employer.
Apprenticeships are a great way to start your career and have many benefits for both the apprentice and the employer.
With the increasing popularity of apprenticeships comes more competition for apprenticeship job vacancies. This guide shows you:
To secure an apprenticeship, you will need to be in a job role where both the role and the employer supports the apprenticeship.
If you are already in a suitable job role, think about approaching your line manager about training and upskilling opportunities and discuss whether an apprenticeship could be the solution. Essentially, you need to:
Further information for your line manager:
For degree apprenticeships
For FE apprenticeships
If you are not currently employed, then you will need to apply for an apprenticeship job role. Applying for an apprenticeship job vacancy is like applying for any other job vacancy. You will need to search for the right apprenticeship vacancy, apply and go through the job interview process, if shortlisted.
Sending a speculative application
You could consider accessing the ‘hidden jobs market’ by sending a speculative application to a company you’d like to work for, highlighting your interest in starting an apprenticeship at ARU, and asking if it’s something they might consider supporting you with. Here’s advice to help you with sending a speculative apprenticeship letter.
If you find an employer that’s interested in taking you on, please get in touch and introduce us to them by emailing
[email protected] or [email protected], so that we can take them through the details of what it means for them to employ you as an apprentice.
You can find apprenticeship job vacancies advertised on most job sites, the Gov.UK website, UCAS and, for degree apprenticeships, usually on the university’s website.
Here are some good sources.
You can view and apply for any current degree apprenticeships vacancies we are advertising on behalf of our employer partners. You can also complete the ‘register your interest’ form and get added to our regular degree apprenticeship email alerts.
You can view and apply for FE Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships on the Writtle College apprenticeship vacancies page.
Where possible apply for more than one vacancy at a time to increase your chances of securing an apprenticeship.
Always submit a new covering letter / supporting statement that addresses that job’s specification. It makes it easier for the recruiter to see if you are a good match for the job.
When submitting a CV make sure you keep it as concise as possible, preferably under two sides. Include your name and contact details on the first page and summarise who you are and your key strengths in a few sentences in your opening personal statement.
Tell the recruiter why you think you are the right person for the job. That will be in the covering letter or supporting statement. Be explicit, eg: 'I believe I am the right person for this role because I have both the skills and personality to succeed in this role…' Then follow it up with how and evidence.
For example, if you say you have leadership skills back it up with evidence, 'I demonstrated leadership when I led a fundraising project for my local charity and raised…'
Check and address your covering letter to the right person. It shows you have attention to detail.
Conduct some research on the company and read the job spec carefully; let the recruiter know why you want to work for that company specifically.
Check and double-check your spelling, grammar, and sentence structures. Ask someone you trust to proof-read it. Recruiters get put off when they read typos and poor grammar.
Go onto the IFATE (Institute for Apprenticeship’s & Technical Education) website to check the skills, knowledge and behaviours you will learn whilst on the apprenticeship. It will give you an understanding on what you are applying for. For example, what actually is quantity surveying?
You’ve got through the application stage, and you’ve been shortlisted for an interview. Apprenticeship job interviews are the same as other job interviews. Here is some best practice advice for job interviews.
For more advice on CVs, covering letters, job applications and job interviews: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/; https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/finding-the-right-apprenticeship
To get a clearer view of securing an apprenticeship with ARU, here is the process step-by-step.
As described above in section Where can I look for degree apprenticeship opportunities?
Applying for an apprenticeship is like applying for a job so apply by the deadline on the advert. You can apply for as many apprenticeships as you like to increase your chances of getting recruited. If it's a degree apprenticeship job you are applying for, you don't need to apply on UCAS like a degree. See our tips above.
Just like a job, if you get shortlisted by the employer, you’ll be invited along to a job interview. It is recommended that you prepare thoroughly as you will be asked about your understanding of the job. See our tips above.
Should you be successful in securing the apprenticeship job, your employer will provide a link to apply for the apprenticeship course. Once you have submitted your application, we’ll check your eligibility for funding and start the process of registering you for your apprenticeship. This will include the necessary contracting to secure your funding.
You can apply for a Writtle College Level 2 or 3 FE apprenticeship before you secure an apprenticeship job. You can do this by filling in this application form.
Please note that you will still need to secure an apprenticeship job to be an apprentice; by completing the application form it better informs us of your interest and helps us match prospects to employers if the opportunity arises.
Your new employer will organise getting you started in your new job. You should expect an induction and you may be buddied with a mentor.
We’ll let you know when classes start; where to go; and what you’ll be learning.
Now you are ready to apply for an apprenticeship you can view and sign up to our degree apprenticeship vacancies alerts or see view our Writtle College apprenticeship vacancies page.
If you have any further questions about our degree apprenticeships or how to apply for an apprenticeship, why not come along to an Open Day at one of our campuses, and speak to one of our advisors.
