How to Apply for an Apprenticeship: Applications and Personal Statements

How to apply for an apprenticeship in the UK: where to find vacancies in each nation, what the application involves, how to write a personal statement with an example, when to apply and what happens next.

By Tony Musso on Fri Oct 30 2026

Applying for an apprenticeship is a lot like applying for a job, because that is what an apprenticeship is: a paid job with training towards a recognised qualification. Many people apply at 16 or 18, but there is no upper age limit, and apprenticeships are a common route for adults changing career too.

This guide explains how to find apprenticeship vacancies in each part of the UK, what the application involves, how to write a personal statement or supporting answers that stand out, and what happens after you apply.

Before you apply: choose your direction

Apprenticeships cover hundreds of roles, from electrician and dental nurse to software developer, accountant and solicitor. Before you start applying, think about:

The kind of work you enjoy: hands-on, people-facing, desk-based, outdoors, creative or technical.
The level you are ready for. In England, apprenticeships run from Level 2 (equivalent to GCSEs) to Levels 6 and 7 (degree level). Higher and degree apprenticeships usually ask for A levels or equivalent.
Where you can travel to, for both the workplace and any college or training days.
What the apprenticeship leads to, in pay and progression. Our list of the highest paying apprenticeships in the UK shows where some routes can take you.

If you are not sure which direction suits you, Career Compass, linked at the end of this guide, can help you narrow it down.

Where to find apprenticeship vacancies

Nation	Where to search
England	Find an apprenticeship on GOV.UK
Scotland	apprenticeships.scot
Wales	Careers Wales apprenticeship vacancies
Northern Ireland	nidirect, through ApprenticeshipsNI

Many larger employers, such as banks, accountancy and law firms, engineering companies, energy firms, the NHS and the Civil Service, also advertise on their own careers websites. Some open applications many months before the start date, often in the autumn for the following year, so start looking early. Local colleges and training providers can also help you find employers looking for apprentices.

What the application involves

Applications vary by employer, but most include:

Your personal details and qualifications, including predicted grades if you are still at school or college.
Your work history and experience, including part-time jobs, volunteering and work experience placements.
A personal statement or supporting questions, explaining why you want the apprenticeship and what you would bring.
A CV, for some employers, especially when applying directly.
Online tests with larger employers, such as numerical, verbal or situational judgement tests.

Read the advert carefully and note any entry requirements, such as GCSE grades in English and maths.

How to write an apprenticeship personal statement

The personal statement, or the supporting questions that replace it, is usually where applications are won or lost. Employers want to know three things: why you want this apprenticeship, why you are suited to it and why you want to work for them.

A simple structure

Opening. Say which apprenticeship you are applying for and what draws you to it, in a sentence or two.

Why this career. Explain what got you interested: a subject you enjoy, something you have built or fixed, a family member's job, a work experience placement or a hobby.

What you would bring. Give two or three examples of relevant skills, such as teamwork, reliability, problem-solving or communication, each with a short example from school, work, sport or volunteering.

Why this employer. Show you have researched them: what they do, their values, or the training they offer.

Closing. Sum up your enthusiasm and your commitment to completing the apprenticeship.

Example paragraph

"I am applying for the Level 3 electrical installation apprenticeship because I have always enjoyed working out how things work and fixing them. At school I chose design and technology and built a working alarm circuit for my coursework, which I enjoyed more than anything else I studied. For the past year I have worked Saturdays at a garden centre, where I am trusted to open up, handle deliveries and help customers, so I know how to turn up on time and work as part of a team. I would like to train with your company because of your work on new housing developments and the support you give apprentices to complete their qualifications."

Use this as a model for the tone and level of detail, not as text to copy. Employers read many applications, and your own examples will always be stronger.

Tips that make a difference

Answer the question asked. If the form has separate questions, answer each one directly.
Be specific. One real example beats a list of qualities.
Match the advert. If it asks for good communication or attention to detail, show you have them.
Write it yourself. Statements written with AI tools tend to sound the same, and employers notice. Your own voice and examples stand out.
Check it carefully. Spelling mistakes and the wrong employer name lose places. Ask someone to read it.

If you need a CV

Some employers ask for a CV, especially if you apply directly. Keep it to one or two pages, put your education and any work experience first, and include a short personal profile at the top. Our apprentice CV example shows how to present school, college and part-time experience, and our guide on how to write a CV in the UK covers the basics.

After you apply

If your application is shortlisted, you may be invited to online tests, an assessment day or an interview. Our guide to apprenticeship interview questions covers the questions employers ask most and how to answer them.

Not every application will succeed, especially for popular schemes, so apply for several apprenticeships at once and keep a note of each one and its closing date. If you are turned down, it is fine to ask for feedback, and to apply again next year.

Not sure which apprenticeship is right for you? Career Compass compares your interests and working style with UK careers, including those you can reach through an apprenticeship, and shows typical pay for each match.

Take Career Compass