Landing an apprenticeship can be a fantastic first step in your career journey. A well-crafted CV is crucial to making a strong impression to potential employers and helping you secure the role you want.
With around 621,000 people applying for an apprenticeship each year, it’s important to have a CV that stands out from the crowd.
In this blog post, we'll delve into the key elements of an effective apprenticeship CV, providing practical tips and examples to help you stand out from the competition.
What are employers looking for in an apprentice candidate?
Employers seek apprentices who aren’t just academically capable but also possess a strong work ethic and positive attitude. They value candidates who are eager to learn and keen to contribute to the workplace.
Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as well as a willingness to take on new challenges and responsibilities. While technical skills relevant to the specific apprenticeship are important, employers also appreciate transferable skills like problem-solving, time management, and self-motivation.
You want to show your employer you’re eager to have experience and progression within their company specifically. After all, apprentice employers want the programme to be mutually beneficial.
Key sections of an apprenticeship CV
Personal statement
The personal statement is your chance to introduce yourself and highlight the aspects of yourself that would make you suitable for the role. It's basically a summary of who you are, what you do, and what you have to offer.
It will be at the top of your CV, so it's the first thing an employer will see, so it has to grab their attention! It should be concise, engaging, and tailored to the specific role.
Key points to include in your personal statement:
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Why are you interested in the role and the industry?
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Highlight any skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate.
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Discuss your long-term career aspirations and how the apprenticeship fits into your plans.
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Show your passion for learning and your commitment to the role.
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Highlight any unique qualities or achievements that set you apart.
Remember to keep it brief, it shouldn't be over 150 words!
Relevant skills
The "Relevant Skills" section should highlight skills relevant to the apprenticeship, including:
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Technical skills: software proficiency, certifications, or tool experience.
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Soft skills: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, adaptability.
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Transferable skills: skills from hobbies, volunteer work, or part-time jobs.
Tailor your list to the specific role, quantify your skills with examples, and use keywords from the job description.
For example, you’re applying for an IT apprenticeship and you’re young, with little to no previous work experience, you could say:
“Used Microsoft Office for 2 years during my IT GCSE. Confident in using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Created presentations for school projects and used Excel to track budget.”
Work experience
This section is where you can highlight any relevant work experience, even if it's part-time jobs, volunteering, or work experience placements. If you don't have formal work experience, focus on transferable skills and personal qualities that are relevant to the apprenticeship.
If you have some form of work experience previously, but it’s not in the industry you wish to do your apprenticeship in, you can still try to pluck key skills from your previous job. For example:
Previous job: Retail assistant at a clothing store
Apprenticeship goal: Software developer
How to connect the two:
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Customer service: "I helped customers, which taught me how to communicate clearly and solve problems."
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Time management: "I had to manage my time to finish tasks and help customers."
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Attention to detail: "I made sure everything was accurate, from prices to stock levels."
Education and qualifications
In this section, you should list your educational qualifications, starting with the most recent. Here's what to include:
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School/college/university name
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The specific qualification you achieved, e.g., GCSEs, A-levels, BTECs, or any other relevant certifications.
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Grades/results: Your grades or results for each qualification.
TIP: If you have a degree and a level 3 course (A-Levels, BTECs etc), you don’t have to list each individual GCSE grade. You can simply, for example, “9 GCSEs grade 4-7”.
If you want to highlight a specific grade that you did well in, that shows passion and competence in the apprenticeship you’re applying for, you can say, “9 GCSEs grade 4-7 with a grade 7 in IT”.
Relevant hobbies and interests
Include hobbies that reflect your personality and highlight skills relevant to the apprenticeship.
For example, if you're applying for a scaffolding apprenticeship, hobbies like gardening or DIY projects demonstrate that you’re comfortable with outdoor work. Similarly, interests in team sports or music can showcase your teamwork and creativity.
How to show enthusiasm in your apprenticeship CV
To showcase your enthusiasm in your apprenticeship CV, use positive language, highlight your motivation, and emphasise your eagerness to learn. For example:
"I am passionate about [field of interest] and eager to apply my skills and knowledge to a challenging apprenticeship role."
Explain why you're interested in the specific apprenticeship and industry, and mention any related personal projects or hobbies. Highlight your proactive attitude and any initiatives you've taken.
Also, make sure to tailor your CV to the specific apprenticeship by researching the company and the role to understand their specific needs, this show’s you’ve really put in time and effort!
How to customise your apprenticeship CV for various roles
When you apply for an apprenticeship, every company you apply for has unique offerings and services. For example, when applying for an apprentice teaching assistant role, each school you apply for could be different.
Upon research you could discover one of the schools you apply for has a sports-focused approach. This would be the perfect opportunity to discuss your extracurriculars, sports hobbies, your passion for tennis and your grade in GCSE PE!
Tailoring your CV helps you stand out, and helps employers figure out which qualities of yours work best for them. It also helps you find an employer you’re compatible with, so you feel like your skills and qualities are valued.
Apprenticeship CV template
Here is an example CV template for an apprenticeship. Remember to include relevant information only.
Your Name | Your Email | Your Phone Number |
Personal Statement:
A brief paragraph about your career goals, skills, and why you're interested in an apprenticeship.
Education
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School Name
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Relevant qualifications (e.g., GCSEs, A-levels) with grades
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Relevant coursework
Skills
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Technical Skills: ( e.g., IT, engineering, or specific software)
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Soft Skills:
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Problem-solving
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Communication
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Teamwork
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Time management
Work Experience (if any)
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Job Title
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Company Name
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Dates
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Key responsibilities and achievements
Volunteer Experience (if any)
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Organisation Name
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Dates
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Key responsibilities and achievements
Interests
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List of hobbies and interests
Make sure to always keep your hobbies, work experience, skills and work experience directly relevant to the role you’re applying for!
Find a way to figure out what skills you have learnt from your past experience, how you learnt them, and how they can be applied to the apprenticeship you’re applying for.
Apprenticeship CV FAQ
How can I highlight my skills and experience, even if I have limited work history?
If you’re applying for a role as an apprentice, it might be your first job. This can be a little hurdle in the work experience section of your CV - but not to worry! Here are some things you can still include which highlight your abilities.
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Highlight relevant coursework and projects
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Focus on skills like problem-solving, time management, and communication, which are valuable in many workplaces.
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Incorporate keywords from the job description into your CV to make it easier for employers to find relevant information.
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Volunteer work and extracurricular activities.
How can I showcase my enthusiasm for learning and development?
To showcase your enthusiasm for learning and development, use action verbs to describe your skills and experiences, highlight any relevant training or certifications, and explicitly express your eagerness to learn and grow within the company in your cover letter.
Let the apprenticeship recruiter know what your goals are and where you want to be in the next 5 years.
What are the best fonts and formatting for an apprenticeship CV?
When formatting your apprenticeship CV, keep it clean and professional. Here are some tips:
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Font: Use a clear and easy-to-read font like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
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Font size: Use a font size of 10-12 points.
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Formatting: Use bullet points to list your skills and experiences.
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White space: Use white space to make your CV easy to read.
What is the standard length of an apprenticeship CV?
The standard length of an apprenticeship CV is one or two pages. However, if you have limited work experience, you may be able to keep it to one page.
Should I include a cover letter?
Yes, you should definitely include an apprenticeship cover letter with your apprenticeship CV, especially if you want to tailor your application for the employer.
A cover letter helps you explain why you're a good fit for the apprenticeship. You can highlight your key skills and experiences and express your enthusiasm for the role.
Have some more questions about apprenticeships? Read our blog: Your Apprenticeship Questions Asked and Answered
Choose Total People for your apprenticeship
At Total People, we’re dedicated to helping young people like you find and succeed in apprenticeships. Our expert team provides guidance on CV writing, interview techniques, and ongoing support throughout your apprenticeship.
Let us help you take the next step in your career. We have a wide range of apprenticeship sectors to suit your interests and career goals. Apply to one of our apprenticeships or contact us today.
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