Finding an Apprenticeship | Middlesbrough College

Exploring apprenticeships can be approached through various channels, and we suggest utilising a combination for a comprehensive search.

The first step to finding an apprenticeship is to research the different options and opportunities available in your child’s area of interest and location.

Northern Skills website – you can find our latest vacancies with local employers on the website here. Our recruitment team are also on hand to provide support finding apprenticeships in various industries.

Find an Apprenticeship website – this is the official government site for searching and applying for apprenticeships in England. Filter using keywords, location, level and sector.

Job boards – national job boards list apprenticeship opportunities from a range of employers who are looking for new talent.

Companies direct – identify specific companies of interest and check their website for apprenticeship opportunities. You may already have a connection with a business who are willing to take on an apprentice – the Northern Skills team can support the employer with this.

Researching Apprenticeships

Determine the appropriate industry and level of apprenticeship available. Your child must decide on the level based on two factors: having the required qualifications for acceptance and specifying the duration of their commitment to the apprenticeship. Remember, apprenticeships are progression opportunities. Starting at Level 2 or 3 doesn’t mean your child won’t eventually achieve a higher-level apprenticeship.

Degree apprenticeships are an appealing alternative to full-time university study, offering the chance to obtain a BA or BSc while committing to 3 or 4 years of study, coupled with real-world job experience. However, these are far more competitive, so don’t close the door on searching for Level 3 or higher-level apprenticeships.

Next, they should determine their areas of interest and explore available apprenticeships within their chosen sector. Conducting research and seeking guidance from career advisors or online sources can help identify areas of interest. If a particular sector fails to captivate their interest during research, it may indicate that it is not a suitable fit. Engaging in work experience is an excellent way to evaluate whether the practical experience aligns with the theoretical allure of a dream job.

Finally, it’s crucial to ensure the apprenticeship aligns with their desired career. While they don’t need to be overly specific about their ultimate job or role, establishing a correlation between the apprenticeship, areas of study, acquired experience, and their envisioned future (say, five years ahead) is paramount.

The Recruitment Process

Step 1: Apprenticeship application

The first step in the process is to find an apprenticeship vacancy. You can search through our available vacancies here.

Once an apprenticeship vacancy has been found, your child will need to complete the application form. Application forms should be tailored to the specifications outlined in the vacancy description, staying at relevant as possible to the role and industry.

Step 2: Telephone screening

If your child’s apprenticeship application is shortlisted, someone from the recruitment team will reach out to conduct a telephone screening. They will call to ask some basic questions about the role your child has applied for. To help them make a great first impression, encourage them to research the job role and the company; this will show the team that they are serious about the application and ready to take on the role.

The team will review their answers and, if they feel your child has the necessary attributes, they will be invited to a face-to-face interview with one of the recruitment consultants. Your child will also need to send in their CV ahead of the face-to-face interview. We have a handy guide for prospective apprentices on how to write a CV and cover letter: click here to view.

Step 3: Interview

During your child’s interview, they will be asked to discuss the role they have applied for and explain why they are interested in that apprenticeship. This helps the team determine if the advertised role is the right match for them and also consider any other apprenticeship roles that might be of interest. Encourage your child to use this opportunity to sell themselves by talking positively about their experience and future ambitions.

The recruitment team will provide valuable guidance on their CV, appropriate interview techniques, and outline the next steps. As part of the interview process, your child may be asked to undertake assessments in maths, English, and ICT to gauge their current level. They will also have the chance to participate in a CV or interview session before or after their interview.

Step 4: Job matching

After your child successfully completes the first stage interview, the team will forward their CV to the employer along with feedback from the interview. They will also share your child’s CV with other potential employers for any roles that seem like a good match for their skills and interests.

At this point, it is up to the employer to decide whether to proceed with a second stage interview. Throughout this process, the friendly team will keep you and your child informed. If successful, they will arrange a time for the second stage interview between your child and the employer. This interview could be over the phone or face-to-face, and in either case, the team will provide support throughout.

Step 5: Final decision

When your child successfully secures an apprenticeship role, the team will contact them to arrange an appropriate start date with their new employer, enrol them onto the apprenticeship programme, and advise on the next steps.

If they were not successful, don’t worry. The team will continue to share their CV with prospective employers to help them secure their dream apprenticeship.

Talk to us about your next step

Our friendly team are always happy to help! Get in touch with us to get your questions answered and to find out more about our College. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay up to date.

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