Are apprenticeships hard to get? This is a commonly asked question by people who are considering their options before beginning a career. Apprentice is a word that many people hear and consider as an option, but it can be difficult to understand the whole process. A lot of people have questions about apprenticeships and what it takes to get an apprenticeship. This article will discuss the key points about apprenticeships, what you need to do to get one, and how difficult it is to get one.
Apprenticeships are an excellent way for young people to learn new skills while gaining valuable work experience. An apprenticeship is a program that trains a worker to become skilled in a particular trade. Apprenticeships combine hands-on work with classroom learning to train the apprentice. Apprenticeships are considered full-time employment. As the apprentice is learning, they are also applying the lessons through working.
Many people find themselves questioning how and if they can get an apprenticeship, but we’re here to help.
Is Getting an Apprenticeship Hard?
The short answer to that question is no, not if you put the effort in; you don’t necessarily have to jump through hoops to become an apprentice. In fact, some don’t require any prior qualifications. While some recruiters will ask for GCSE’s or might prefer them, they’re not a deal-breaker for all employers.
The difficulty of landing an apprenticeship will, of course, depend on the level of apprenticeship you’re interested in. If it’s a degree apprenticeship, it will likely be more difficult to land than an intermediate apprenticeship.
All you need to stand a good chance of getting an apprenticeship is a strong CV, so if you don’t have the qualifications, make sure it’s packed with experience and strong references. And a willingness and desire to learn, if you’re enthusiastic, passionate and driven, your chances of being taken on as an apprentice are pretty good.
What You Need To Do
Whilst you don’t have to do a great deal in taking tests or courses to gain qualifications, you have to try hard. This is because you are in direct competition with every other person interested in that role. The popularity of apprenticeships is growing, so getting one will be more challenging than it used to be, but that’s not to say you can’t beat the competition. If you want to stand out, you need to put yourself out there and show employers exactly how much of an asset you can be to them.
1. Experience
Having experience before applying for an apprenticeship will show the employer that you know what you’re doing and that you’ve been proactive and forward-thinking.
2. Spend Time Searching for Roles
Applying for one apprenticeship and nothing else probably won’t give you the best odds of landing a role; make sure you spend time searching for multiple roles that interest you and apply for them all.
3. Follow-Up
Once you’ve applied for an apprenticeship, remember to contact the employer with a follow-up email or phone call to show how passionate you are about the role and the company (make sure you don’t overdo it, nobody likes to be hounded).
4. Practice Your Interview Technique
If you get through the application process, you’ll likely be invited to interview. So while you wait for a response to your application, use your time wisely to perfect your interview technique.
For more information on types of apprenticeships, how to apply for an apprenticeship or who can apply for apprenticeships, visit our website. Alternatively, contact us with any queries. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with all of the latest news and information from Employing an Apprentice.
