Apprenticeships for School Leavers in the UK specifically

What are Apprenticeships?Apprenticeships are work based training programmes. They allow participants to gain recognizes qualifications, while gaining practical experience at the same time. Apprenticeships usually involve on-the-job training with off-the-job training, giving students or school leavers the opportunity to gain a valuable qualification. Off-the-job training involves being released to college or independent study, to enhance your experience even further. The length of apprenticeships vary greatly depending on the industry, with a minimum length is 12 months, varying anywhere from 1 to 4 years. Who can apply?Anyone living in the UK, over the age of 16 can apply for an apprenticeship. Although there is not an age limit on apprenticeships, applicants usually range from 16 to 18 years old. Wages for Apprenticeships:Apprenticeships are paid positions. The National Minimum Wage for apprenticeships are currently £3.30 per hour. This applies to apprentices aged between 16 and 19 years old. Those over 19 who have completed their first full year as an apprentice are entitled to a normal minimum wage. Benefits of Apprenticeships: One-to-one training with recognisable employer Opportunity to build a professional network with colleagues Earning a wage - no need for student loan/debts Gain a professional qualification Learn industry specific skills Adapt your CV:You are not expected to have extensive employment history, play to your strengths. There are a number of valuable aspects and skills that will help you stand out from the crowd when applying for apprenticeships. These include the following: - Practical problem solving - Able to work individually/as part of a team - Reliability - Good listening Skills - Attention to detail - Willingness to learnDemonstrate these skills on your CV using clear and concise examples. Cover Letter:Applicants should use cover letters to play to their advantage. Each cover letter should be unique. They should be crafted for each individual application. Cover letters should state why you are suitable to the role, why you want to work for the company, as well as what are your aims and goals for your career. Practice Interview Techniques:Most job applications will be very competitive and require an interview process. You need to be able to stand out from the crowd to be successful at this stage, so good preparation is essential. Practice answering common interview questions and prepare a few questions to ask the interview. Research on the company will need to be done before deciding on what questions to ask. Research the company website as well as information regarding the employer. Showing interest in the role is vitally important. Finding/Applying for Apprenticeships:The National Apprentice Services (NAS) is an online forum for finding and applying for apprenticeships online in England. Another website that can be used for other countries is www.gov.uk/jobsearch, to check your local job listings