How to apply for an apprenticeship

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in! 

At Totton College, we’re committed to your success. We have strong links with local businesses and offer a broad range of opportunities. Our team will help you match your expertise and ambitions to the right employer.  

Apply directly  

As well as applying for an apprenticeship via Indeed, you can also apply directly by contacting the apprenticeship team via email or telephone.  

If you already have an employer willing to sponsor your apprenticeship, contact us to talk about next steps.  

How do you write a winning apprenticeship application? 

To apply for an apprenticeship, you’ll need a CV. Applying for an apprenticeship is like applying for a full-time job, you’re not just a learner but a potential employee. Even if you don’t have much professional experience to talk about yet, it’s important to create a CV that helps your employer find out about your education, transferrable skills from work or school, why you are interested in your chosen field, and why you want to do an apprenticeship. 

6 key elements of a winning CV 

1. Your name and contact information: Clearly display your name and contact details at the top of the page. Employers will usually look through several CVs during the recruitment process so make it easy for them to find your contact details if they want to get in touch. Ensure to use your most up-to-date email and phone number! 
2. Personal summary/profile: Include a short professional summary underneath your name. This statement briefly tells the employer about your experience, key strengths and what you can bring to the company. Make sure you keep it short and sweet; you want to keep them keen, but you don’t want them to get bored! 
3. Education breakdown: Most apprenticeships have entry requirements, such as particular grades in your GCSEs. The majority of our employers require a minimum of a grade C/4 in English and maths, but this is flexible, and we can support you with your studies alongside your apprenticeship. Make sure you include your English and maths grades as a minimum and any other relevant qualifications, such as previous childcare qualifications if you’re applying for an Early Years apprenticeship. 
4. Work experience: Even if you don’t have any work experience directly related to your chosen field, it’s still important to mention the experience you do have whether it’s part-time, volunteer work, or internships. Include information about your responsibilities and dates of employment. 
5. Relevant training and courses: Mention any training or courses you’ve undertaken in your chosen field including short online courses or work experience training. 
6. Hobbies and interests: You should include a brief note on your hobbies and interests, even if they aren’t relevant to your chosen field. This section tells your potential employer a little about your personality and makes your application unique and stand out. Keep this section short and professional, you are still applying for a job! 

If you would like to use our CV template, you can download it here. 

When do apprenticeship applications open? 

Unlike other educational courses that start in September, most of our apprenticeships are roll-on-roll-off depending on the needs of the employer. This means start dates are often flexible with multiple enrolments throughout the year.

For more information, please contact our Apprenticeship Team: apprenticeships@totton.ac.uk or 0300 123 3385.