do you need a personal statement for degree apprenticeships

How to write an apprenticeship personal statement

If you know what career or industry you want to work in, an apprenticeship might be the best way to get a foot in the door.

There are thousands of apprenticeships across the country, and finding the right one for you is the first step. The second step? Writing your application.

Here’s everything you need to know to help you feel confident and prepared before you write your apprenticeship personal statement.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a brief summary of who you are and your background.

It helps interviewers get to know you, and is a great way to show your skills, experience, education and personality to potential apprenticeship employers. If you’re interested in an apprenticeship that’s especially popular, your personal statement could be the make or break between getting accepted or not.

Do you need a personal statement for an apprenticeship?

It depends. it’s very common for apprenticeships and interviewers to ask for a personal statement, and this is a good thing – it gives you the opportunity to demonstrate what a great candidate you are.

Some apprenticeships will just ask for your CV, personal details, academic certificates or portfolio, or they might ask you to complete a test. Others might expect you to apply on employer career portals, where you type your information directly into the website.

What should I include in my apprenticeship personal statement?

An apprenticeship personal statement is usually less than one A4 page long, so you don’t need to delve into extreme detail. What you write will vary between applications, but here are the fundamental topics that you should include:

Employment/volunteering experience

Discuss any work experience, part-time jobs or volunteering that you have done. Focus on the skills and knowledge you learned, what you gained from the experience, or what you contributed. If your work/volunteering experience isn’t directly relevant to the apprenticeship, make sure you still include it – instead, try to focus on the transferable skills.

Academic background and qualifications

The chances are that you will have more academic experience than work experience, but this isn’t a problem. Write a few sentences about what you have learned from your studies, what skills you have developed, where you succeeded and what you enjoyed.

Show your enthusiasm

Don’t be afraid to be enthusiastic and show your interest – after all, interviewers will want to know that you are excited about this course and ready to learn.

Hobbies/interests

You don’t always need to include your hobbies and interests, but it can be a useful addition to your personal statement. You could discuss what skills you have learned from your extracurricular hobbies and how these are applicable to the apprenticeship or your future.

Future goals

There’s one big question that interviewers will ask: what do you want to do in the future? Briefly discuss what your future goals are, e.g. what job, industry or company you are working towards. Then, link it back to how the apprenticeship can help you achieve these goals.

What do I need to know before writing my apprenticeship personal statement?

Before you even put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard!) brainstorm your responses to the following questions. Try to briefly answer all, if not most, of them in your personal statement:

• Why do you want to work in this industry?
• What is it about this specific apprenticeship or company that interests you? Do some further research on their websites.
• What skills are required for this apprenticeship? And do you have them?
• When have you demonstrated the relevant skills? Think of some examples.
• What are your top 3 strengths or qualities?
• Why do you think an apprenticeship is right for you?

Not only will your answers help you write a high-quality personal statement, but this is a good reflective exercise to help you feel confident you’re on a path that you feel passionate and excited about.

How many apprenticeship applications should I send?

There’s no right or wrong answer. Each application should be personalised and relevant to the specific job or course that you’re applying for. Even if you apply for 5 accounting apprenticeships, don’t assume that every application can be the same just because they are all for the accounting industry.

But personalisation takes time, so don’t expect to spam 50 apprenticeships with your application if you want to be successful. In summary, there’s no limit to how many apprenticeships you can apply for, as long as you put the time and effort into personalising each application. 

Extra personal statement tips

Plan, plan, plan.

You know what they say: ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’. Once you’ve brainstormed your answers, organise them in a cohesive, concise manner so you know what you are going to say about each topic, and how you will link them together. This will help you to fit everything in without writing too much.

Check for errors

Once you’ve written your personal statement, make sure your proofread it for any typos, spelling mistakes or other errors. If you’re not confident that you’ll spot the mistakes, ask a friend, family member or a teacher to read it for you.

What’s the best thing you can do if you don’t have the right skills or subjects for a particular apprenticeship? Tell the truth. Don’t lie about what you have and haven’t done. Instead, describe any similar experience that you have, and explain why you want to learn new skills.

Apprenticeship personal statements take time to write. So don’t leave it until the night before the application closes – start early and give yourself enough days, weeks or even months to write an application that you’ll be proud of.

Use key words

Key words aren’t a necessity, but you could think about what words are frequently used to describe the apprenticeship. E.g. if you’re applying for a hairdressing apprenticeship, you might use words like ‘customer-focused’, ‘friendly’ and ‘creative’. You can usually identify keywords by reading job descriptions for the apprenticeship or similar jobs in that industry.

Re-read the apprenticeship description

Have you addressed the skills and experience that the apprenticeship is asking for? Have they asked you to write about something specific that you may have missed out? Re-read the apprenticeship description to make sure you’ve included everything.

If you haven’t heard back about your application, send a polite email or give the relevant person a call. Not only is this a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm, but it will help you build a relationship with your potential employer.

Start writing your application today

This might seem like a lot of info, but once you have written a couple of personal statements it will feel much easier. Plus – it will be worth it when you secure your apprenticeship and dive into an exciting career.

Still not sure what to apply for? Take a look at our industry guides . From beauty to paramedics , science to tattooing , we’ve got everything you need to know about apprenticeships in your dream industry. 

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All about Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4+)

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18 September 2023

How To Write An Apprenticeship Personal Statement

So you’ve found your dream apprenticeship and decided to apply for it. Great news! 

As part of the application process, you may need to write a personal statement to help employers find out more about you, your skills and why you’re applying for that specific role. 

But how do you write one? Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers. Read on to find out how to nail your apprenticeship personal statement…

What is an apprenticeship personal statement?

What to write in an apprenticeship personal statement.

• What are your hobbies?
• What are your qualities?

An apprenticeship personal statement is a brief written summary alongside your CV or application form that outlines your skills and experience to employers. It shows off your personality and allows them to assess your suitability for the job.

Why is an apprenticeship personal statement important?

Your apprenticeship personal statement is the first time you’ll introduce yourself to an employer. So it’s crucial you make a good first impression. Think of it as your moment to shine. An opportunity to highlight your interests and career goals. 

Employers want to get to know the real you. So don’t be afraid to include your thoughts, feelings and opinions. It might help to ask yourself these questions:

• Why am I right for this role?
• Why me over another candidate?
• What can I offer in terms of my abilities and interests?

The first thing you’ll need to tell an employer in your apprenticeship personal statement is why you want to work for them. Have you done your research? Are you familiar with the company and its values? Employers want candidates who know about the business and its products.

So the more you show this in your written statement, the better your chances of impressing them and getting an interview. Research the company website. Read through any press releases or social media posts for all their latest news. It pays to be prepared.

Next thing an employer will want to know is what is it about the apprenticeship that appeals to you? If you’re applying for a nursing role, mention how much you love taking care of others and looking out for their needs. 

You’ll find a list of all your responsibilities in the job description. Revise them carefully and express your interest in carrying out daily tasks.

What are your hobbies? 

After you’ve got all the above down, it’s time to move on to your hobbies. Did you pass any music exams, captain the football team or head up the Film Club?? Got your Duke of Edinburgh award? Definitely include it. That’s an amazing achievement.

Transferable skills

Transferable skills are skills that you’ll have developed at school, socially or professionally. Skills that are helpful and relevant, and able to get you a job. Most people demonstrate their transferable skills when applying for a role or changing careers altogether.

Employers look for candidates who can show a good set of transferable skills in their application. Examples of these skills include:

• Communication
• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Attention to detail

If you haven’t got work experience, but developed transferable skills through hobbies or extracurricular activities, this is just as good as working a job. And it totally counts. 

What are your qualities? 

This one requires a bit of self awareness and analysis. Are you hard-working, driven and ambitious? Shy, but fiercely passionate about achieving your goals? Mention these qualities and back them up with specific examples.

If you’re unsure, ask a parent, friend or sibling for advice. While you’ll ultimately know yourself best, getting someone else’s opinion on you always adds a new perspective to the mix. 

And gives you extra clarity.

Share any work experience

What about work or volunteering experience? 

This could be directly related to your apprenticeship or transferable skills you’ve picked up from something else. Say you did some babysitting for two hours on a weekly basis. This shows commitment and responsibility – traits employers are always looking for.

So…Ready to go out there and smash your apprenticeship personal statement? We think so!

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Written by Ghazaleh

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How do Degree Apprenticeships Work?

‍ first things first: what is a degree apprenticeship.

You probably already know this but just in case let’squickly cover what a degree apprenticeship is.

A degree apprenticeship combines full-time, paid work with part-time university study. They’re created through partnerships between universities and employers who want to offer students the opportunity to gain a Bachelor or Masters degree while gaining relevant work experience.

Who can study a degree apprenticeship?

Degree apprenticeships are open to anyone who meetsthe entry requirements and can demonstrate they’re capable of studying at thislevel while also working.

Because this pathway is more demanding, entry requirements can be tough and you’ll usually need to provide additional evidence that supports your capacity to work and study.  As you’ll also be working, your employer will likely have some desirable entry requirements they’ll want you to meet too.

How are degree apprenticeships structured?

One of the great things about a degree apprenticeshipis how they support you to grow and develop as a professional over time. Thestructure - how much time you spend working and how much you spend studying -will change year on year as you progress.

How it’s structured could vary depending on:

• Your role and your employer's requirements for you in the team
• What you’re studying and the level of study (so, a Bachelors versus a Masters)
• Where you study

Your studies willbe a mix of classroom tutorials, online webinars, and personal study time.You'll need to make sure you stay on track and keep up to date with yourassignments.

Our employer partners tell us they put a lot ofthought into ensuring you’re given the best opportunity to put what you studyinto practice, which is why each program is different and can even be tailoredindividually.

For example, Jaguar Land Rover apprentices told us they spent their first year studying full time, before moving onsite to full-time work in their second year, with day release and occasional week block study times. As they progressed through their degree apprenticeship, they spend more time on site.

What is a 'typical workday' like?

If there’s onething we know it’s that there’s definitely no ‘typical’ day when it comes to adegree apprenticeship!

You’ll be offeredthe opportunity to work with different people, across different departments,before making a decision about where you want to focus your time and skills.You’ll get the chance to have direct input in your role, and make decisionsabout your future.

This is your chance to start carving the career you want and the more you speak up about that, the more people will support you to do it!

Keen to find out more about how degree apprenticeships work?

We think the best people to tell you about how it all works, are the people currently living it!  Take a look at our careers broadcasts where you can hear from a range of degree apprentices studying with some amazing employers.

Or if you prefer reading, check out our handy degree apprenticeship guide to get all the inside scoop including tips from organisations like Google , Jaguar Land Rover and Atkins .

Continue reading

What are the future prospects of T Levels? Exploring the benefits of T Levels, and building a successful career

Why should you do a Higher Technical Qualification? The future prospects of Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)

What is the difference between the types of apprenticeships? Your guide to exploring opportunities

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How to apply for an apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are a viable alternative to university, with the number of opportunities across all sectors continuing to increase - but to secure a position, you need to ensure that your application stands out from the crowd

Do your research

Before you apply for apprenticeships, it's important to know what employers in your chosen field will be expecting of you, as well as what each apprenticeship will involve.

Apprenticeships are open to a range of applicants and can be found all year round. Some employers will ask for no more than being over the age of 16 and not in full-time education as their entry requirements. This shows that they aren't necessarily looking to hire candidates with the most prior work experience or highest level of qualification.

Your ability to demonstrate hard skills, such as IT literacy or a grasp of a second language, and soft skills, such as excellent communication and organisation - along with your career ambitions - will be highly valued.

For example, you don't necessarily need to have had an office job to apply for an HR apprenticeship . You'll be able to impress if you discuss the time management and organisation skills you picked up by completing school or college work.

Search for apprenticeships on individual employers' websites and at GOV.UK - Find an apprenticeship .

Some organisations may not display their opportunities, so try making speculative applications to companies you'd like to work for. You'll prove that you're driven, confident and have fully researched the organisation.

By doing your research, you'll have a clearer picture of how to make a good impression, which will vary depending on the level of apprenticeship you're applying for.

To apply for a degree apprenticeship , you'll usually need at least two A-levels and some relevant experience. Explore what is an apprenticeship?

Tailor your apprenticeship CV and cover letter

A strong CV is the backbone of any apprenticeship application. It needs to look and sound professional, demonstrating clearly and concisely your suitability for the position.

Use a simple font, divide sections clearly and use bullet points for ease of reading. Your CV will need to include:

• Profile - a punchy opening paragraph displaying your most relevant qualities, skills and experience to the role you're applying for. Don't explain too much here - your profile should entice the employer to keep reading. Learn more about writing a personal statement for your CV .
• Education - many apprenticeship applicants have limited prior work experience. If the apprenticeship you're applying for will be your first position outside of full-time education, take the opportunity to list your academic achievements, highlighting the transferable skills you've developed through group work, coursework and end-of-year exams, such as excellent organisation and timekeeping.
• Work experience - in reverse chronological order, list all previous paid employment and any relevant non-paid experience you may have. This could include voluntary work or college work placements. Only include information that will support your apprentice application - if you're worried your experience isn't relevant, you can still use it to highlight transferable skills. For instance, if you're applying for an engineering apprenticeship , your past experience working in customer service shows excellent communication and the ability to think on your feet - valuable qualities in any future engineer.
• Interests/hobbies - only include interests and hobbies if they're relevant to the post or demonstrate a particularly impressive achievement. For example, if you're applying for a computer programming role and build websites in your spare time, then this would be worth mentioning.

Discover how to write a CV . Ensure your CV is in top condition by avoiding these seven common CV mistakes .

Your cover letter is another important part of your apprenticeship application. You'll use it to expand on the achievements and skills you've listed in your CV, as well as explain why you'd like to be considered for the apprenticeship. Keep it short and sharp - your employer may have hundreds of applications to read through.

Read up on how to write the perfect cover letter . For inspiration, take a look at our example apprenticeship cover letter .

As tempting as it may seem to send out duplicate CVs and cover letters, especially if the apprenticeships you're applying for offer similar qualifications and opportunities, still take the time to research each company and tailor each application to the specific employer. This way, you'll know a company is best suited to your needs, strengths and career ambitions, and employers will see that you're invested in working for them.

Prepare for the interview

Before submitting your apprenticeship application, research the company - this will come in useful if you're called for interview. Before you meet your employer, you'll want to have a good understanding of the company's values and what your potential role with them would entail.

Arrive at the interview prepared with questions to ask your interviewer . Also think about preparing some answers to typical interview questions you may be asked.

Be prepared to discuss your strengths, areas for improvement and career ambitions with confidence. If you're feeling nervous, ask a friend, teacher or parent to help you think of what to include.

Dress smartly to make a good first impression. This doesn't always mean wearing a suit - dress appropriately for the position you're interviewing for. Business casual is a safe bet.

Employers looking to take on an apprentice will be sympathetic to a lack of work experience if you're a younger recruit, with the majority of apprenticeships being open to anyone aged 16 or over and not in full-time education. They'll be more interested in your other attributes, such as examples of your punctuality, reliability and digital expertise.

Relax, show your passion for starting an apprenticeship and prove that you're the perfect candidate for the role.

Get more interview tips .

Find out more

• Discover whether you should go to university or do an apprenticeship .
• Read about apprenticeships in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
• Explore higher apprenticeships .

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Apprenticeship CV example

When you’re pursuing apprenticeship opportunities, your CV needs to attract the best employers.

A strong CV should highlight your marketable skills, using a visually pleasing and clear structure  to really sell you.

I’ve created this comprehensive guide (and example apprenticeship CV), that will walk you through the process of producing an engaging and eye-catching CV and move one step closer to landing a top apprenticeship role.

Guide contents

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Your education
• Vital skills for your apprenticeship CV

CV templates 

The above CV example displays how to structure your CV when you have limited or no work experience, documenting your core skills and how they can help you transition into an apprenticeship.

As the guide continues, I’ll support you in producing your own interview winning CV.

CV structure & format

Your CV needs to facilitate ease of reading through a clear and well-defined structure, allowing recruiters to easily identify your suitability for apprenticeships .

A strong structure will enable recruiters to simply navigate your details, pinpointing your potential with ease.

This infographic will give you the tools to write a CV that is well formatted , detailing what sections to include.

Formatting Tips

• Keep to a clear, professional CV structure, sticking to a muted colour pallet and easy to read font
• Maintain a CV length of between 1 to 2 sides of A4 to tell your story quickly to busy employers
• Avoid adding imagery to your CV such as company logos or headshots, these aren’t needed in the decision making process and just waste space

Structuring your CV

Make your CV easy for recruiters to navigate by breaking it up into clearly defined sections, working to the below order:

• Contact details – have your contact details handy at the top of the page
• Profile – engage recruiters at first glance, with an opening paragraph that summarises your suitability for apprenticeship roles
• Education – documenting your educational history, focusing on the qualifications/courses most related to the apprenticeship you’re pursuing
• Work experience –  detail any employment, voluntary experience or personal pursuits undertaken
• Interests and hobbies – add hobbies that showcase your transferable skills

I will now talk you through what to include  within each of these sections.

CV contact details

Add your contact details to the top of your CV, ensuring recruiters and employers can easily reach you.

Look only to include essential information:

• Phone number
• Email address

Avoid adding supplementary information such as your date of birth, headshots or your full home address – as the city you live within is enough detail.

Top Tip –  use a professional email address and even consider setting up an account solely to use for apprenticeship applications.

Your CV profile (or personal statement ) is a short opening paragraph, which should grab recruiters’ attention and engage them to read further.

Like a blurb to a book it should give an overview of your CV, detailing your voluntary experience, educational history and applicable skills.

Showcasing at first glance why you’re the ideal candidate for apprenticeship positions.

Use these tips to help you produce your CV profile:

• Your profile needs to be between 5-10 lines, a succinct paragraph to entice recruiters, you’ll be able to elaborate elsewhere in your CV
• Research the industry you’re looking to pursue and tailor your profile to those types of apprenticeships, making yourself custom fit
• Stand out from the crowd and avoid using overused statements such as “I give 110%”, recruiters read these types of phrases in hundreds of CVs and they only make you blend into the crowd

What to include in your CV profile?

• Qualifications – your educational history should be a focal point, specifically highlighting any qualifications needed to commence an apprenticeship
• Core skills –  feature your transferable skills, consider strengths such as communication, team work, organisation and interpersonal skills
• Passions –  explain why you’re looking to gain an apprenticeship role and your interest in that field

Core skills & achievement section

Beneath your profile, include a core skills and achievement section that is comprised of two to three columns of bullet points.

Use your industry research to tailor the skills you include to those required for apprenticeship opportunities, emphasising your relevancy for roles at first glance.

Consider strengths gained within your education, extra curriculum activities or any voluntary experience.

If you have limited work experience, your education should be highlighted throughout your CV, but your education section will allow you to provide more depth on these courses.

List each qualification obtained in bullet point form, documenting the course title, year obtained and the establishment you attended.

Factor in GCSE’s, A Levels, any vocational courses or short/online courses you have achieved, starting with those most related to the apprenticeship sector you’re applying to.

Clubs and Memberships

Also, look to include any club involvement or memberships acquired within your education section.

Consider any sporting clubs you have been part of, drama groups or whether you were a prefect or school champion whilst in education.

See also: Graduate CV – School leaver CV

Work experience

Your work experience isn’t limited to just full time paid employment, you should look to include any voluntary work undertaken, freelancing or even any personal pursuits.

Structuring your roles

When structuring your work experience, you need to break up large blocks of text, enabling recruiters to easily navigate your experience.

Using the below three sections.

Give context to recruiters with an overview of your role and the organisation you were within.

“Working in a local cafe, serving customers at the till as well as supporting the kitchen with serving food ”

Key responsibilities

Documenting any duties in bullet point form.

• Taking customer orders, advising them which choices are best from the menu
• Helping to clean tables, counters and supporting in the kitchen when needed

Key achievements

Record your key achievements , adding any relevant figures to strengthen your examples.

• Received a 10 out of 10 score from a customer feedback form

Interests and hobbies

When you have limited work experience, your hobbies section is a great way to support your application by describing your transferable skills.

Avoid cliche hobbies  like “socialising” and instead include interests that confirm strengths such as team work, communication or organisation.

For example, playing for a sports club, being part of the debate team or being creative through a blog or YouTube channel you have created.

Essential skills for your CV

Feature the key strengths you have gained within your time in either education, extra curriculum activities or skills you acquired from voluntary experience.

Communication –  having the confidence to clearly communicate with people of all levels

Commitment and Drive –  display your commitment towards pursuing this training programme and career path

Organisational Skills –  whether juggling studies, voluntary work or other commitments

Team Work –  working with others, either in sporting teams or class projects

Writing your apprenticeship CV

When you’re applying to apprenticeship positions it’s essential for your CV to highlight your transferable skills, as well as your passion for the apprenticeships you’re applying to.

Using a clear, strong CV structure will help you grab recruiters’ attention, exciting them to delve deeper into your CV.

By using this guide, you’ll be able to produce your own eye-catching CV that’ll help you get hired.

G ood luck in your next application!

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Apprenticeship CV: How To Write A CV For An Apprenticeship

Have you found yourself at your wits’ end as you struggle to create a CV for an apprenticeship application? 

Chances are, you’ve typed in “how to write an apprenticeship CV” and stumbled on this page (thankfully!). 

Carry on reading for an in-depth guide on how to write a CV for an apprenticeship. Here are our top tips on what to include:

First things first – why choose an apprenticeship?

Have you recently left school? Want the certifications to get your career off to a brilliant start but don’t fancy going to university? 

Then an apprenticeship could be just the thing.

Yet, if you’re keen on going down the university path but not so keen on the soaring student debts, consider degree apprenticeships.  

The government launched these in 2015 and they pave the way to get a degree without the price tag. 

Plus, there’s more chance of becoming employed by several of the UK’s largest firms.

For more reasons why an apprenticeship may be the right choice for you , make sure to read our blog.

How to write a CV for an apprenticeship

Keep this nice and simple – the title of your apprenticeship CV should be your name. There’s no need to add anything else to it, not even ‘CV’ or ‘curriculum vitae’.

Contact information

Once you’ve stated your name, you must give the hiring manager the correct contact details – in particular, your email address and mobile phone number 

If you don’t, how will they reach out to you for an interview?

Personal statement

The secret to nailing the perfect personal statement is to keep it short, snappy, and to the point.

Your best bet is to tell the hiring manager a little about yourself, what drew you to this specific apprenticeship and your professional goals – but limit it to five sentences.

An apprenticeship aims to teach applicants how to perform a particular position or about working in the wider sector. 

Make it relevant to the industry or position. You can do so by adapting your personal statement to the apprenticeship you’re interested in. 

Are you finding it tough to put together a personal statement? Have a read of our blog to find out how you can sell yourself in a personal statement .

Main strengths

The competition for apprenticeship schemes is fierce. Each apprenticeship will be flooded with CVs and hiring managers won’t look at every single one in detail. 

The best apprenticeship CVs entice the hiring manager and implore them to hire you within roughly 20 seconds.

So, to grab an employer’s attention, we recommend: 

• Compiling a sequence of bullet points that list your principal strengths
• Summarising your key skills – list things like ‘exceptional written and verbal communication’, ‘excellent time management’ or ‘work effectively as part of a team’

These are the traits that hiring managers are seeking. Including key strengths in your CV is a terrific way to stand out from the crowd.

Be sure to mention any A-levels, GCSEs or other qualifications when you apply for an apprenticeship. You should list them clearly and include your grades, starting with your most recent qualifications.

You can also include details of specific projects you completed that are relevant to his apprenticeship. 

For example, if you’re interested in a bookkeeping apprenticeship, you could write about a time you completed some coursework that concentrated on compiling or analysing data.

Work history / employment experience

If you’re currently working or have had a job in the past, list your primary duties and any achievements.

Use language that communicates action or purposefulness. Using the right vocabulary is vital when detailing your responsibilities. 

Stating ‘I created a pricing scheme’ isn’t going to wow a prospective hiring manager. 

Instead, tweak it to something like: ‘I conducted market research and led the team in developing and launching a brand new pricing scheme’.

This section is also a great chance to include any voluntary or unpaid work you secured, especially if you haven’t had a paid job. 

Listing your employment is a brilliant way to provide proof of the top talents you claim to have.

Hiring managers don’t always recruit applicants with the right marks. If possible, they will also want to hire applicants who have a proven track record of success at work. 

Hobbies and interests

This part of your CV for an apprenticeship may be critical, particularly if you don’t have fitting work experience or credentials.

Tailor your extracurricular activities and hobbies to show an employer you’re the ideal candidate.

If you play football, you can use this to persuade the hiring manager that you can proactively work in a team. Or if you’re a sports team captain, this points to your leadership and management skills.

Your after-school interests and activities are key to apprenticeship success, so don’t forget to use them. 

How you spend your free time can tell the employer a lot about you as a person, and if you can convince a hiring manager you’re enthusiastic about your chosen field, they’ll be more likely to hire you.

Hiring managers put a lot of time and money into training apprentices, so they’d prefer to hire someone who’s passionate about the scheme, not a candidate with more qualifications who seems less enthusiastic

References serve as a way for potential employers to validate the skills you have listed on your CV.

However, your references should not typically be included on your CV , instead you should write ‘References to be made available on request’ at the end.

It’s best to have two references prepared in advance by asking for their permission to be your reference beforehand.

Pick one referee who knows you on an educational level – for example, your schoolteacher in a subject related to the internship. 

If you’re already working, select your line manager as your second referee. They’ll be able to confirm all the abilities you’ve summarised in your CV. 

If you haven’t had a job yet, choose someone you know to be your second referee, for example from volunteering or work experience you’ve done.

Pick individuals who know you and with whom you’ve built a good rapport.

Apprenticeship CV example

There’s tremendous competition for apprenticeship roles, so if you want to entice the best companies, wow employers with a standout CV.

Want to craft a compelling, captivating CV? 

Check out our real-life apprentice CV template aimed at marketing apprenticeship placements:

11 Main Road, Sale, Manchester, M16 1AB

07987 654321 | [email protected]

I am a conscientious, creative and meticulous marketing student, now coming to the end of my course. I am now keen to secure an apprenticeship that will allow me to kick off my career. During my studies, I have devoted my time to a variety of work commitments and extra-curricular activities. I consider myself to be a committed and conscientious individual, which will enable me to thrive in my chosen field.

• Google analytics                       
• Social media management
• Social media scheduling
• Copywriting for SEO

Education and qualifications

Foundation Certificate in Digital Marketing, Level 3 – CIM

Manchester Sixth Form College | 2019-2020

• Modules studied: Marketing Principles & Digital Fundamentals

A-levels, 1 A*, 2 Bs

Sale High School | 2017-2019

• English Literature, English Language, Media Studies

GCSEs, 10 A*-B

Sale High School | 2016-2017

• Achieved A* – B in subjects, including English Literature, English Language, Maths, Science, and Music

Work experience

TQ Media (Marketing Assistant)

Placement Student | June – August 2020

I secured a month’s work placement at a local marketing agency to gain insight into the industry. It was an incredibly positive experience.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements

• Gained awareness and understanding of working in a successful marketing department
• Wrote, proofread and uploaded copy to client websites in line with SEO best practices
• Scheduled daily social media posts for several clients and managed their engagement with customers
• Grew a client’s Instagram following to over 1,000 in a one-month period

Employment history

Sainsbury’s | November 2017 – Present

While studying full-time, I had a part-time role in my local Sainsbury’s store. This position has educated me on how vital teamwork, customer service, and commitment are within a fast-paced environment.

• Obtained multiple awards for my dedication to exceeding customer expectations
• Trained existing staff members new starters when a new till system was implemented
• Yoga and gym – these help me to keep fit and practise mindfulness
• Football – being captain of my local football team has given me the opportunity to develop leadership skills and the ability to perform under pressure
• Creating social media content – this has been an extracurricular hobby of mine that I have since been able to put into practice in my career

To be made available on request

The takeaway: how to write a CV for an apprenticeship

When writing your apprenticeship CV, you need to emphasise your transferable skills and passion for the programme. 

Use our clear-cut CV template above to show your enthusiasm for the apprenticeship to which you’re applying and entice employers to delve deeper into your CV. 

Need a little more help? Make use of one our expert CV writers and don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. 

Good luck with your next application!

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