The Simple Guide to Finding an Apprenticeship Employer will give you an understanding of apprenticeships. If you are considering or have applied for an apprenticeship then this guide will give you all the information that you will need to understand what the process is, how to apply, the things that you will need and useful information for further research. It will help you with writing a CV and how to prepare for the interview as well as the benefits of completing and apprenticeship and how much you can earn.

1. The simple guide to Finding an
Apprenticeship Employer

2. Apprenticeship Overview
So you have applied for an Apprenticeship, but do you
really know what an Apprenticeship is and how they
work? Below is a quick explanation that should answer
any queries you may have.
What are Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are an integrated
framework of
qualifications consisting of a Vocational Qualification
called an NVQ or more commonly now a QCF (Qualification
Credit Framework) , Functional Skills and in most cases a
Technical Certificate.
As a combination of vocational and key skills,
Apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as essential
for young people entering employment. They can also
be an acceptable route to Higher Education, especially
through the latest Foundation Degrees.
Acceptance onto the programme will be based on
interview, Initial Assessment results and GCSE grades at C
and above would be ideal, but not compulsory.
An Apprenticeship is a work based vocational training
programme delivered by Pathway College – Pathway have
an offer which delivers the training in the work place. Unlike
the traditional college method of a day release basis, this
is usually preferred by both employers and apprentices
What are the benefits of an Apprenticeship?
The Apprentice is given the opportunity to be trained in
a real job, whilst earning a real wage at the same time.
All of these programmes are about practical skills and
abilities and our Apprentices are rewarded with respected
nationally recognised qualifications.
The Apprenticeships have been designed by industry to
equip young people with the skills they need to succeed
in their chosen careers.
The benefits of an Apprenticeship to the employer
includes: improved productivity, motivated staff, relevant
training and avoidance of skills shortages.
For an Apprentice, an Apprenticeship isn’t just a job;
it’s the first step towards a long-term career. Over the
years, Pathway College has worked with a large range of
companies across the region, who have benefited from
training an Apprentice. Apprenticeships focus on the
whole job, not just individual skills. Apprentices learn
through on and off-the-job education and training.
Through their placement the Apprentice gains practical
training experience and onsite assessments within the
workplace, and gain supported learning within College.
Unlike many training courses, Apprenticeships are designed
by businesses for businesses. Sector Skills Councils,
composed of business representatives from relevant sector
or industry decide on the course content within their own
sector. This means Apprenticeships offer your business
relevant, nationally recognised qualifications.
How much do you earn whilst on an
Apprenticeship programme?
The wage is negotiable between the employer and the
Apprentice, but must be a minimum of £2.65 an hour
(for under 19 year olds and 19+ in their first year of the
apprenticeship). The Apprentice will adhere to all aspects
of the company’s Terms and Conditions of Employment as
dictated by the employer.
In order to start on the Apprenticeship Scheme with
Pathway College you MUST have employment within
the relevant sector you have applied to undertake an
Apprenticeship, If you have not yet secured an employer
to support you through the Apprenticeship, then Pathway
can assist you by giving you advice and guidance possibly
in the form of an interview or possibly pre-apprenticeship
training.

3. National Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching https://apprenticeshipvacancymatchingservice.
lsc.gov.uk/navms/forms/candidate/prenticeships.
Service (NAVMS)
aspx
NAVMS is a new nationwide system that has been
designed to enable young people wishing to
undertake an Apprentice to search, view and apply for
Apprenticeship opportunities offered by employers
anywhere within England.
The Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Service is a
national initiative supported by Government and is the
Apprenticeship ‘one stop shop’ for individuals to search
and apply for Apprenticeships. It allows employers to place
vacancies to be marketed to the widest possible audience
at no cost.
The system which is free to use, will have live job vacancies
for you to apply for from companies looking to take on an
Apprentice; it should also allow potential Apprentices to
upload a copy of their C.V. in order for potential employers
to view.
Any vacancies that Pathway College are currently trying
to fill in will be advertised on NAVMS – all job details will
appear on the vacancy page, including instructions for
applying for any vacancies advertised - it is important you
follow these directions and apply in the correct manner. All
vacancies will have a closing date so bear this in mind and
make sure you apply in good time.
Accessing NAVMS
NAVMS can be accessed through the Apprenticeship
website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
This is the Apprenticeships website where you will find
lots of information about Apprenticeships and types of
Apprenticeships that are offered nationwide.
In order to search vacancies on NAVMS, you will need
to register for an account and set up log-in details for
yourself. This can be done by following the subsequent
pages/sections on the website
•
•
•
•
•
•
www.apprenticeships.org.uk homepage
Vacancies for Apprentices
Visit Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching System
I am looking for an Apprenticeship
New User (register now)
Set up your log in
Searching for vacancies
Once you have set up your account you can use the quick
link below to get directly to search pages:
Within the search box you will need to enter your
keywords for the type of employment/apprenticeship you
are seeking then choose the relevant location in order to
search.
Apply
Apply for vacancies that take your interest or the match the
type of Apprenticeship you want to undertake within the
geographical location you can or are willing to travel to. It
is important that you follow the instructions of making an
application carefully, bear in mind the closing date for the
vacancy if you wish to apply at a later date.
Any applicants that you make for a vacancy will be saved in
your account information. As your application progresses
you shall be notified via the NAVMS system.

4. Your home address
Hometown
Postcode
Date
Name of person you are writing to
Company Name
Company Address
Postcode
Dear Mr/s...............
I am hoping to get an Apprenticeship in............
School and I am writing to enquire if your company will be taking on any apprentices this year. I will be available for
work from July 2013.
I am currently studying for my GCSE ‘s at.................School. my anticipated GCSE grades are...............
I am interested in working in the............sector/industry and I have some experience of this type of work from the part
time job I have held at............(if you do not have direct experience within the sector you are looking for employment,
you can express that you have a keen interest and state anything that you have done related to the subject)
I have enclosed a copy of my CV for you to take a look at and would be very grateful if you could consider me for any
positions that become available within your Company, which would allow me to complete an Apprenticeship.
I am available for interview at your very earliest convenience and look forward to hearing from you
Yours sincerely
signature
Name

5. Writing a CV
•
Logical – start with your name and contacts details,
work through your school, college and any work
experience.
•
Accurate – proof read it and make sure it makes
sense and there are no spelling mistakes – it is always
worthwhile getting someone else to check it too as
they may spot things you don’t
•
Keep it short and to the point – don’t waffle! A
maximum of 2 sides of A4 is plenty.
What does Curriculum Vitae or CV mean?
It’s Latin phrase that means ‘’Path of Life’’-in other words
it is a kind of life story but not the kind that gives all your
secrets away! It should only include things which are
relevant to your application for employment, relevant
experience and a statement about yourself showing how
keen and enthusiastic you are.
How to write a CV
Writing a CV for the first time can seem like an impossible
task. You just don’t know what to put in or what to leave
out. You may feel you’ve done nothing and achieved
nothing that’s relevant. Getting started is the hardest part.
However, by thinking about your skills and experiences to
date you will soon be able to create an accurate summary
of all the positives things about you that can help land you
that job! There are basically 2 types of CV’s (Curriculum
Vitae):
•
Chronological CV-Chronological means ‘’in order time’’
and is a way of listing things in date order. This is the
most common way to write a CV and puts everything
you have done in date order-starting with your most
recent experiences and achievements.
•
Functional CV - Functional means ‘’practical ’’ and is
more about your skills and achievements – starting
with what you think is most important or relevant to
the job you are applying for.
In the main, a ‘’Chronological ’’CV will be the better
option, as at this stage in your career you are less likely to
have gained enough practical experience to develop a ‘’
Functional ‘’ CV.
Along with your CV you will be sending a cover letter. See
page 7 to see how to put together a covering letter. You
must be precise – a CV that is too long or too many pages
will probably end up in the bin. If you get to interview
stage, this is the time to tell the employer about yourself.
Make sure that your CV is:
•
Typed – if you don’t have your own equipment, use
school, college, Connexions Centre or try your local
library.
•
Clear – don’t try to be fancy! Keep it black print on
white paper in an easy to read font such as Ariel 12.
Above all be honest in your CV – remember you will have
to support anything you have written when you get to
interview stage!

6. Employment/Work Experience
Describe achievements, not just responsibilities. Show
what you achieved for the company during your time
there. If there are things that you were part of at school
or college that were recognised as being successful, make
sure you mention them. Include any voluntary or work
placement activities, as well as part time work whether it
is a paper round, babysitting, shop work – it all shows you
are keen to work and have already gained practical skills.
It is also worth remembering that having done any kind
of voluntary work shows a good level of motivation and
demonstrates how keen you are to work and gain practical
experience, so include this too. Try and show how you
have gained the skills you have, which are needed for the
job which you are applying.
Don’t belittle or under value your experience. It is up to
you to show how and why it had given you useful skills.
Most jobs require:
•
•
•
•
The ability to communicate with other people
Being able to work as part of a team
Being able to work under pressure
Being prepared to do your share of mundane tasks
Skills
You should include:
• Languages
• Computing/IT Skills
• Keyboard Skills
• Communication Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Ability to work on your own or as a member of a team
• Driving ability (provisional or full license)
• Membership of relevant clubs or societies
Make sure you list any other skills that will interest an
employer if they are relevant.
When listing languages make sure you include your level
such as fluent, intermediate, or basic.
For computing skills make sure you mention the packages
you have used such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access,
Powerpoint, Outlook, e-mail, internet etc
Show your ability to type quickly and accurately.
Make sure you spell driving licence the UK spelling licence
and not the US spelling license.

7. CV Templates
Style Two
22 South Rd, South Town , SW8 1TM 07876 123545
jimT@btinternet.com
Objective
Experience
[Describe your career goal or ideal job.
[Job Title]
[Dates of Employment] [Company Name],
[Town, County]
responsibility/achievement]
responsibility/achievement]
responsibility/achievement]
[Job Title]
[Dates of employment] [company Name],
[Town, County]
responsibility/achievement]
responsibility/achievement]
responsibility/achievement]
[Job Title]
[Dates of Employment] [Company Name],
[Town, County]
•
•
•
[Job
[Job
[Job
•
•
•
[Job
[Job
[Job
•
•
•
[Job
[Job
[Job
responsibility/achievement]
responsibility/achievement]
responsibility/achievement]
[Job
[Job
[Job
[Job Title]
[Dates of employment] [company Name],
[Town, County]
responsibility/achievement]
responsibility/achievement]
responsibility/achievement]
•
•
•
Education
•
•
[Degree
[Special
Interests
References
[School Name], [Town, County]
[Date of attendance]
obtained]
award/accomplishment]
[Briefly list interests that may pertain to the
Type of Job you want.]
References are available upon request

8. The key things to remember are:
•
•
•
•
Be confident, without being cocky
Be polite, without sucking up
Be enthusiastic, without going overboard
Be knowledgeable, without looking like a know it all
If you feel that you have had little formal work experience,
try to think of things you have done in your personal life
that you could use examples. Have you helped organise
any events? Have you done anything for charity or any
kind of voluntary work? Had a paper round? Note all the
things you have done on a piece of paper and try to think
of skills needed to do these things and you will soon
see how much practical experience and how many skills
you actually have. Even things like involvement in sports
activities as a hobby can prove useful, as team sports teach
you to appreciate the importance of teamwork, as well as
encouraging you to use your initiative and make decisions.
Be Prepared
One way to help you to prepare for your interview is to
draw up a checklist. This will help you focus on what you
need to do and give you the opportunity to check you
have done everything. You could include things such as:
•
If your interview information has been sent by letter,
ring up and confirm that the time and date is okay for
you.
•
During your confirmation call find out exactly where
the interview will be held and what it will be like – will
it be a panel, will there be any tests.
•
Give yourself plenty of time to get there, check out bus
or train times in advance or whether it is easy to park.
If possible, do a dummy run at the same time as your
interview and by the same mode of transport you will
be using on the day.
•
Decide what to wear – make sure what you choose
is clean and smart and comfortable too. Ensure your
shoes are clean too – get polishing if need be!
•
Fnd out about the company (e.g. Poundland ) and the
sector (Retail) to show you are interested in that field. A
few days before keep an eye on the TV news and read
the newspapers in case there is a big story relating to
that field you are going into, it there is, show that you
are aware of it.
•
Read through you application form and CV. Think
about what questions an interviewer might ask and
come up with some replies.
•
Finally, try to go to bed at a reasonable time the night
before so that you are fresh on the day and make sure
you get up in plenty of time, ensuring you are not
running around at the last minute!

9. Who in your network - can Help you with
Interviews?
Talk to family and friends about their experiences, ask
them about any particular questions they have been asked
in an interview situation and how they are answered any
questions they found particular tricky.
Pathway College can run sessions on CV writing, covering
letters and mock interviews through Student Services
which may be useful. Should you be interested and able to
come to our centre in Birmingham and surrounding areas
then please contact our Apprenticeship Team on 0121 707
0550.
The can offer a range of initial guidance and support
specific to Apprenticeships.
From assistance with CV building to supporting vacancy
applications, from character building to information on
qualifications available for improving skills.
To access this support, please contact the Apprenticeship
Recruitment Team on : 0121 707 0550
Email: info@apprenticeshiprecruitment.co.uk
There is also lots of online help. Connexions have a website
which will help you out. You can also speak to a personal
Adviser at your local Connexions Centre or National Careers
Service.
In addition to this as briefly mentioned earlier on, check
out job related websites such as:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
www.Cv-Library.co.uk
www.fish4Jobs.co.uk
www.Totaljobs.co.uk
www.jobsearch.about.com
www.monster.co.uk
www.skillstudio.co.uk
www.interviewquestionsandanswers.com
www.howtointerview.com
www.connexions.gov.uk
www.prospects.co.uk
www.need2know.co.uk