Jobseekers
Apprenticeships and Training: The right move for you?
Taking on an apprenticeship or a trainee job can be a great route to a successful career. You can find opportunities in almost every industry and when you finish you'll have skills that you can use in other industries as well. Most people don't realise that employers offer real qualifications alongside the job and the training. In many cases these qualifications can be equivalent to going to College or University. Apprenticeships are a commitment. While your friends might be full time at College or Uni you'll be working and you will need to work hard. But the rewards are great. Why not watch some short films about apprenticeships in your preferred area on www.careersbox.co.uk and hear first hand what its like from people doing apprenticeships right now.
What is an Apprenticeship?
The Oxford English Dictionary describes an apprentice as "a person learning a skilled practical trade from an employer". In fact you can do an apprenticeship in many different industries but you should check with the employer whether the apprenticeship they offer is a formal apprenticeship (modern apprenticeship) that provides recognised training and qualifications.
Finding an Apprenticeship or Trainee Job
Its not always easy to find this kind of opportunity without a bit of work. You can be sure that there will be lots of people applying for the ones you find online but we are never surprised to hear about young people who find a good opportunity on their doorstep. By asking friends and family or by being confident and approaching a local business you would like to work for, you might get lucky. Along with this website you will find some others listed on the homepage that we think you might want to have a look at to help you in your search.
Top Tips for Applying
Once you’ve found the Apprenticeship you want to apply for you need to make sure that your application is the best it can be. You only get one chance to make a first impression. If your initial application is not good enough to get you through to the next stage then you’ll end up on the rejection pile. Here are some hints and tips to help you:
Don’t do it alone
Always make sure that you get an adult to read over your application before you send it. This could be a parent or relative, your guidance teacher, a careers adviser or an older friend. It is very difficult to spot mistakes on a form you have filled in yourself, getting a second opinion could make all the difference. Ask an adult to help you to sell yourself better – they can help you to pick out your best skills and qualities, and they can help you to avoid the dreaded spelling mistakes which could let you down. You can get free advice on your job application from www.careers-scotland.org.uk or from Scotland's leading independent careers service www.careerstudio.co.uk.
Read the instructions at least twice
This could be the first time you have ever completed a job application. Its easy to mis-read things or get the wrong idea about what is being asked. We find lots of applicants don't seem to have read the instructions properly and this comes across in the application. Get help and get it right. Don't forget to do your research. Find out as much as you can about the company and the job. Employers are always impressed by candidates who know their stuff.
Think think think
Try not to rush filling out an application form, if possible make a copy to produce a rough version before you commit to the final form. Really try to think about each answer. Be creative about your weaker areas – you might have no work experience but have you done any unpaid work? Volunteering is great, even helping friends and relatives can count – DIY, babysitting, helping dad fix the car, that paper round you hated getting up for – these can all be included on your form.
Prove it
Employers want to know that you will be reliable, keen to learn and will fit into their team. What can you tell them to prove you have these qualities? If you have had good attendance at school – tell them. Have you been a regular in a sports team or out of school activity? When have you worked as a member of a team? Qualifications may be important but if you don’t have many (or even any) you can still do well if you’ve other things to offer – such as involvement in sports, in the community, part time jobs, or activities such as the TA.
Show your enthusiasm
Employers need to know that you want the job. Tell them why you want to train to be an Apprentice – what is it about that kind of work you like? The more you can show that you know about the job – the better it will sound on your application. Try to do some research into the company you are applying to and find out more about the job by using the internet, speaking to people who currently do that job and getting some work experience or work shadowing – you won’t get paid but it’ll pay off in the long term.
Try try again
If you are not successful first time – keep trying. Getting an apprenticeship is not always easy – you might feel that you are applying and not getting anywhere – but do keep trying – one thing is for sure – if you don’t apply you won’t get the job. No one will come knocking on your door offering you a job (unless you’re really lucky). Keep your eyes and ears open for anywhere or anyone who could help to get your apprenticeship. You only need one employer to like what your saying and that could be you sorted.
Think of a back up plan
Not everyone is successful at getting an apprenticeship first time around, you might do the best you can and still be unlucky. If this happens you need to be prepared by thinking of your safety net now. You could put in a back up application to a college course – if by Summer you are sorted with apprenticeship – Great, just phone college and let them know you’ll not be starting, it’s better to have a place and not need it than have left it too late and risk being left with nothing.