Recap: Insider Tips for Apprenticeship Success in 2025

The transition from school into an apprenticeship scheme may feel overwhelming and hard to navigate. We tackled this in our latest session. Current apprentices Sophia Bailey , Jaan Iqbal and Joy Ogunbiyi provided insider insights and actionable tips to secure an apprenticeship and navigate the workplace with confidence.

1. Apprenticeship Application Strategies

Managing multiple applications can prove complex especially when they are at different stages. The panel shared actionable strategies to manage the application process:

• Start Early: Start applying before the roles open (typically open in September) as this will allow you to spend time researching into the roles that interest you and boost your chances of securing an apprenticeship.

• Tracking Your Applications: By creating a spreadsheet, this will give you an overview of all the applications you've made and knowing what stage of the application you are at.

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Spend time practicing aspects of the application process for example interview questions and ask family or friends to help you in acting as an interviewer.

Curious about tips to boost your application? Read our blog now and increase your chances of success!

2. What Apprenticeship Resources Are Out There?

The panellists shared multiple resources to support aspiring apprentices through each stage of the journey from researching about what apprenticeships to finding a community of like-minded apprentices:

1.) Thinking About Apprenticeships?: Our panellists shared the start to their apprenticeship journeys and how they learnt about apprenticeship schemes. This stemmed from brief apprenticeship talks at their local sixth form/college, connecting with current apprentices on LinkedIn (asking them questions on their experiences) or using platforms such as, NotGoingToUni and RateMyApprenticeship

2.) During the Application Process: Finding apprenticeship roles can be seem like a maze at times. However, there are great platforms that make finding an apprenticeship so much easier such as, Apprentago which allows you to apply, track and learn about apprenticeships in one place!

3.) Navigating the Workplace: As an apprentice entering the workplace, it can feel nerve wracking as most times you will be the youngest person, everyone around you has years of experience and you might encounter imposter syndrome. That couldn't be further from the truth!

There are countless apprentice organisations founded by your peers which will empower you, give you relatable support and have the ability to network with like-minded individuals. Some organisations to get involved in include OuterCircle and Apprentadream

3. Making the Most Out of Your Apprenticeship Scheme

As an apprentice, you'll have anywhere between 4-5 years on your scheme (depending on the company you work at). You'll want to use this opportunity to grow your career and lay the foundations for you to accelerate in your career! This was exactly what our panellists done as they have gone to achieve amazing things so far in their young careers:

• Regional Co-Lead Ambassador for OuterCircle

• Wellbeing Ambassador at their Workplace leading entire office wellbeing activities

• Successful personal brand on LinkedIn with 5K followers

By being curious and asking for opportunities, our panellists have achieved so much in such a short space of time!

Are you struggling with asking for opportunities? Read our blog now and learn how to tackle your self-limiting beliefs!

4. You've Got This!

Apprenticeships offer so much from the ability to earn while you learn to starting in the workplace at an earlier age. If you are interested in an apprenticeship job, know there is a community of current apprentices out there willing to support you from start to finish. Keep on going and you'll get that place on an apprenticeship scheme!

Please feel free to connect with our panellists below if you want to ask further questions:

Sophia Bailey

Jaan Iqbal

Joy Ogunbiyi