Apprenticeship application advice
If you’re weighing up some options for your future career, one choice you may be considering could be an apprenticeship.
Johnny Nolan, careers manager for Newry in the Department for Employment and Learning’s Careers Service, offers the following tips to remember if applying for an apprenticeship.
“Apprenticeships allow you the opportunity to develop specialist skills, the chance to earn while you learn, gain recognised qualifications and improve your career prospects.
“People across Northern Ireland are following apprenticeships in a wide range of occupational areas ranging from ICT, Engineering, Accounting, Business and Administration, Hairdressing, Children’s Care, Learning and Development, Nail Services, Plumbing, Bricklaying to Telecommunications.
“To apply for an apprenticeship, you will usually be asked by your prospective employer to complete an application form. It is important to answer all the questions on the application form carefully and include as much relevant detail as possible,” he insisted.
“If you’re applying for more than one apprenticeship, make sure you check out the job specification and tailor your application to it, highlighting your relevant skills and experience.
“Pay attention to your spelling and grammar as mistakes will not impress potential employers. You want to give yourself the best possible chance of getting an apprenticeship so ask a friend, family member or careers adviser to check over your application.
“Employers sift through lots of applications on a regular basis, and most of the time they’re generic, boring applications that never make it to the interview stage. Make sure yours is the one that catches their eye by including what makes you unique.
“You may want to consider including an interesting hobby which is relevant to the apprenticeship, some work experience you’ve had, or even a project you worked on in school. Whatever it is, make the most of it in your application to interest the employer,” Nolan added.
More information on apprenticeships is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/skills or by calling 0300 200 7876.
For careers information, please go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers where you will find the contact details for your nearest Careers Office and careers adviser. You can also contact the Careers Service by phone on 0300 200 7820.
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