An apprenticeship is a job, so finding one is different from choosing a college course. You search for a live vacancy, check the employer's requirements and submit a job-style application. There is no central enrolment.
Step 1: decide what kind of work interests you
Start with occupations rather than apprenticeship titles. What kind of work do you want to do? Which industries interest you? Do you want to work mainly with people, data, technology, practical equipment or ideas? What level are you ready for? How far can you realistically travel?
The same broad career area often contains apprenticeship opportunities at several different levels.
Step 2: understand the level
Check whether the vacancy is Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 or 5, or Level 6 or 7. A Year 11 student is looking mainly at Level 2 and Level 3. A Year 13 student with suitable qualifications might also consider higher or degree apprenticeships.
Do not apply simply because the word “apprenticeship” appears in the title. Make sure the level and the occupation fit where you actually are.
What do apprenticeship levels mean →Step 3: search live vacancies
Use the GOV.UK Find an apprenticeship service to search and apply for apprenticeships in England. Also check employer careers websites, apprenticeship providers, local employers, your school or college careers team and sector-specific careers resources. Large employers often run their own recruitment campaigns separately.
Search apprenticeship vacancies on GOV.UK →
Step 4: check the entry requirements carefully
Requirements vary. A vacancy may ask for GCSE grades, A levels or another Level 3 qualification, particular subjects, prior experience, a driving licence, eligibility to work in a particular setting, or other occupational requirements.
There is no universal entry requirement that applies to every apprenticeship. If you do not have grade 4 in Maths or English, do not automatically rule yourself out.
Read: can I start an apprenticeship without grade 4 Maths or English?
Step 5: check the job as well as the training
Read the job duties, working hours, salary, location, travel requirements, employer, training provider, apprenticeship standard, duration and progression opportunities.
An apprenticeship is both employment and training. A great training programme attached to a job you do not want is unlikely to be the right choice.
Step 6: prepare a strong application
Applications resemble other job applications. Employers may ask for personal details, education and qualifications, work experience, examples of skills, your motivation for the role, answers to competency questions, or a CV.
Use specific examples rather than generic claims. Instead of “I am a good team player”, describe a situation where you worked effectively with others and say what you contributed.
Step 7: prepare for selection
Depending on the employer, recruitment can include online tests, telephone or video interviews, face-to-face interviews, practical tasks, assessment centres or presentations. Degree and higher apprenticeships with major employers attract strong competition. Treat the process as seriously as any other job application.
When should I apply?
There is no single national apprenticeship application deadline equivalent to the main UCAS deadline. Employers advertise vacancies throughout the year. Some major employers advertise many months before the start date; other vacancies appear much closer to it. So: start researching early, set vacancy alerts where available, apply to several suitable opportunities, and keep alternative education or training options open.
Can I apply while still at school?
Yes. To start an apprenticeship in England you must be aged 16 or over, live in England, and not be in full-time education when the apprenticeship starts. The conditions have to be met when the apprenticeship begins, not when the application is made, so a Year 11 or Year 13 student can apply for vacancies while still at school or college.
Can I apply for university too?
Yes. University and apprenticeship applications are separate processes, so a student can hold a UCAS application open while applying for apprenticeship vacancies. This can be sensible, because apprenticeship recruitment outcomes arrive on a different timetable from university offers.
What if I do not get the first apprenticeship I apply for?
That is normal. An apprenticeship is a competitive job application. Ask for feedback where you can, improve the next application and keep searching. Do not rely on a single vacancy.
Use the Explorer before applying
The tutor2u Apprenticeships Explorer does not replace the live vacancy search, and it is not a vacancy service. Its job is different: use it to see which levels are growing, which occupational areas have the most starts, how apprenticeships vary by age, how activity differs by region, and how the system is changing. Then use GOV.UK or employer vacancy pages to find the live jobs.