Careers resources

Careers and skills resource list This resource list was created for results days and gives a detailed list of resources to support you with career choices, developing your skills and finding out more about different options. There is also a list of useful links further down this page.

Virtual experiences list This document provides a list of virtual experiences that you can access to gain experience and build your CV.

Top tips from an Apprentice

In this short film, Apprenticeship Ambassador Ellie gives some top tips on finding and applying for Apprenticeships.

Where to look

The best place to start your search for Apprenticeships is the government’s Find an Apprenticeship Service: www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch, where most Apprenticeship vacancies are listed. You can search by location or keyword to find the sorts of Apprenticeships that you’re interested in.

Local website for young people Oxme.info lists opportunities and you can sign up for weekly Apprenticeship and job vacancy bulletins here too. This is a great way to get ideas if you’re not sure what you want to do yet.

Keep an eye out for Apprenticeship adverts, for example in shop windows, job sections of newspapers, on social media and recruitment websites.

Ask around 

Tell your friends and family that you re on the lookout for an Apprenticeship and they can help you search too. They might know an organisation that’s looking for Apprentices.

If you know of a company that you might be interested in working for, introduce yourself and ask if they have any Apprenticeship vacancies. If the company doesn’t currently do Apprenticeships but are interested in offering them, put them in touch with us - we can help them get started.

If you have an idea of the sort of Apprenticeship you’d like to do, find out which training organisations do them and get in touch. They’ll be happy to talk to you about the training and current opportunities.

Go along (when you can!) 

Go to careers evenings at your school – you’ll be able to chat to lots of different employers and training organisations all in one place.

Lots of businesses and training providers hold open events - look out for those too and go along to get a feel for the company and meet staff and Apprentices.

Start early

It’s never too early to start researching Apprenticeships that might interest you and finding out what the role involves.

Some companies such as BMW MINI Plant Oxford recruit groups of Apprentices at certain times of the year. Some start recruiting early too, as early as November in some cases, so find out when their recruitment window is open.

Find something you enjoy

Doing something you enjoy and are good at is important as you’ll spend a lot of time doing it!

Don’t be too narrow in what you’re searching for and look carefully at job descriptions - the job may be more interesting or relevant to you than it first sounds.

Remember - most people don’t go into their dream job or a job for life at the start of their career. It’s about making the right choice for you now.

If you know where you want to get to in your career, think about the best thing to do now to take you a step nearer that goal.

Find out where the jobs are

Labour Market Information (LMI) gives an overview of the local economy and can help you find out where the current and future jobs are to help you choose a path into a growing sector. It also examines the skills that employers are looking for to help you gain skills and experience in the right areas. Check out OxLEP Skills Labour Market Information for latest facts and figures. 

Get some experience

Getting work experience is always helpful as it shows an employer that you’re keen to work and have already gained some skills and experience. It will also make you feel more confident when you start in the world of work. Getting a part time job doing something linked to the career you want is great for gaining relevant experience and it can sometimes lead to an Apprenticeship.

Keep your options open

Don’t just apply for one Apprenticeship, apply for lots and give yourself choices. It’s also a good idea to keep your options open by applying for sixth form college or university too so that you’ve got alternative plans should one not work out.

Be prepared

Have an up to date CV ready and make sure you’ve checked grammar and spelling. This is important for applications too, as employers will be looking for care and attention to detail.

If you’re going for an interview, do some research into the company before you go. Think of a couple of questions to ask too, it will show the interviewer that you’re interested and keen.

Be persistent

Apprenticeships can be competitive and you might not get the first few you apply for, which can be disappointing. But you’ll learn from the experience and feel better prepared for the next application or interview. Going for interviews is great experience, even if you don’t get the job or decide it’s not for you. It helps you feel more prepared and less nervous next time.

Links to other web resources

Find an Apprenticeship Service: www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch

Oxmeinfo: http://oxme.info/cms/earn 
Lots of careers advice & opportunity to sign up for regular Apprenticeship vacancy e-newsletters.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships: www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships

Amazing Apprenticeships: www.amazingapprenticeships.com

Apprenticeships: How to find the right one for you: http://www.yeuk.org.uk/apprenticeships-find-right-one
Blog by UK Youth Employment Ambassador Patrick Cantellow.

The Apprenticeship Guide: www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk

SACU Apprenticeship Explorer: https://my.sacu-student.com

Applications

How to write a winning Apprenticeship application: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/713047/How-to-write-winning-application.pdf
Hints & tips from the National Apprenticeship Service on registering, searching & applying for Apprenticeships.

Live Career - CV and cover letter templates and advice: www.livecareer.co.uk

Assessment Centre HQ - practice assessment days: www.assessmentcentrehq.com

Job websites

Not Going To Uni: www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

All About School Leavers: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk

All About Apprenticeships: https://allaboutapprenticeships.co.uk

Indeed: www.indeed.co.uk

Studying in the UK - Apprenticeships: www.studying-in-uk.org/apprenticeships-uk

Top tips

Rebecca is in Year 13 at The Cooper School and will be starting an Apprenticeship in Human Resources with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a Human Resources Apprentice in September 2018. Read about Rebecca's experience of getting an Apprenticeship. 

These students at Faringdon Community College have got some top tips for you on finding and applying for Apprenticeships. Check out their stories below…

Chloe, Year 11 at FCC I'm Chloe and I'm starting a Hairdressing Apprenticeship when I finish my GCSEs. Find out how I got my Apprenticeship	Toby, Year 11 at FCC I'm Toby in Year 11 and I'm starting a Greenkeeping Apprenticeship in July. Read about how I got my Apprenticeship
Kira, Year 13 at FCC I'm Kira in Year 13 and I'm planning to do an Apprenticeship when I finish my A Levels. Find out how I'm looking for Apprenticeships	Harry, Year 13 at FCC I'm Harry in Year 13 and I'm planning to do a Finance Apprenticeship after my A Levels. Read about what I'm doing to find one