apprenticeship-basics

Top tips to get yourself an apprenticeship

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Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to gain skills, earn while you learn, and achieve a qualification to help your career progress.

Here are 5 top tips to improve your chances of success:

Know yourself

Before picking a career path it often helps to identify your own characteristics to find a good match.

What are your main skills, interests and preferences?

Take a look at one or two of our recommended quizzes to get you started:

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Explore apprenticeship standards (types of jobs)

There are hundreds of different apprenticeships!  From engineering to digital marketing, health and social care to law, there's something for everyone.

Check out these links for more of an overview and insights:

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Search live opportunities

There are a number of routes you can explore to access apprenticeship opportunities:

Go direct

Reach out to employers. Whether they are sole traders, small businesses or even multinational companies.  Ask about work experience or upcoming apprenticeship opportunities.  Many apprenticeships are never advertised because they are filled by proactive candidates.

Check with training providers

Training providers often work closely with employers and may know about apprenticeship opportunities before they are advertised.  These include local further education (FE) colleges, universities, and independent training providers with specialist expertise, such as Poultec Training, Jarrold Training, Swarm Training, Skills Edge Training, Achievement Training & Skills and First Intuition East Anglia Protocol Consultancy Services.

Keep an eye on these apprenticeships websites for vacancies:

Keep your search broad and set email alerts so you don't miss out.

Follow companies directly on their websites and social media for updates.  This is a great way to spot any opportunities early!

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Gain experience

Employers love to see initiative.

Try reaching out to companies for work experience, placements or volunteering - it'll make your applications stand out. 

Research shows that work experience improves confidence and self-esteem, timekeeping, team working and problem solving skills.

Need help finding a placement? Take a look at our work experience and volunteering information.

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Think about vocational courses

If you are not quite ready for the work environment but want more of a work based learning rather than an academic route, or want to get a head start into higher apprenticeships, vocational courses such as T Levels and V Levels (new for September 2027) can offer work-based learning and qualifications.

Although unpaid, T Levels are proven to be a great stepping stone to an apprenticeship and may even lead to job offers if you impress employers.

Take a look at T Levels to find out where they're offered locally and what options are available.

Alternatively, if you have completed your Level 3 qualifications (such as A Levels, T Levels or V Levels) you may want to consider a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) to build up experience to access an apprenticeship too!

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