When to apply for an apprenticeship

There is often confusion regarding when people should start the application process to become an apprentice. Here is our advice as to when to apply and some tips to give yourself the best chance to secure your route into a career.

Already left school or college?

Anyone can do an apprenticeship, whether you are an existing employee of a business, unemployed or looking to change your career path. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to gain new skills and kick start a career in an industry within which you want to work. You can start anytime! There are opportunities throughout the year that you could apply for or, if already employed, you can start the apprenticeship whenever the training provider your employer selects to work with is able to.

Currently in school or college?

When to apply.

You can start applying for apprenticeships during the year running up to finishing your current course e.g. GCSEs, A Levels, T Level, Certificate, Diploma etc. If you are finishing this year and want to start an apprenticeship, you need to start applying for opportunities NOW! Here are our current opportunites >

It is an ever-changing landscape.

Not all apprenticeship opportunities will be advertised at the same time. You need to regularly check the Find an Apprenticeship website as new opportunities are being added all the time. No one week is the same as the next.

Here is the link to the Find an Apprenticeship website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

You can also apply on each training providers website. In our case, you can either apply for a specific opportunity or put in a ‘general application’ to get into our recruitment process. We can then match you to opportunities as and when the come up in the following months.  

Can I apply using predicted grades?

Yes! Don’t wait until you have your results as many opportunities will have come and gone by then. Apply using your predicted grades in order to get the process started. 

You need to apply for more than one opportunity. 

As with hunting for any job, you are likely to be in a pool of people who have applied for the same apprenticeship. You may do everything right throughout the recruitment process however still not get the apprenticeship. It is important therefore to apply for multiple apprenticeships simultaneously to give yourself options, should one or several opportunities not go your way.

How to secure an apprenticeship.

Securing a role as an apprentice is the same as finding any other job. You will go through an application process and need to demonstrate to the employer you are the right person for the role. It is crucial to take your time to complete application forms diligently and prepare well for any interviews you are invited to.
It’s not always a quick process. Regardless of if you are going through our recruitment process, another training provider or with the employer themselves, it can be a long process and differs from one organisation to another.

Below is our recruitment process.