Applying for an Australian Apprenticeship is similar to applying for other types of jobs. The application requirements will depend on what the employer is looking for.
Some employers may have a formal application process involving a resume and cover letter, and several rounds of interviews. Other employers may not have a formal process in place and might just want to meet candidates to see if they would be a good fit.
This page has information and links to resources that can help you when applying for Australian Apprenticeship positions. It is always important to check the requirements of the job vacancy or by talking with the employer. You should customise your application to their needs.
If you aren't sure how to find apprenticeship or traineeship vacancies, visit our Finding an Australian Apprenticeship page.
Research
The first step to a strong job application is research. If you are applying for a vacancy, you should research the employer to find out:
- Whether the role aligns with your interests and career plans
- What the application process includes and what you need to prepare for this
- Any requirements the employer has for the position
- Whether the employer seems to have a workplace environment that you would like to work in
When approaching employers directly, you should still do the same type of research, but instead of being related to a current vacancy you will be looking for information about the employer's general work and hiring practices. You can find more information about approaching employers directly on our Finding an Australian Apprenticeship page.
What employers look for in an application
There are some common things that most employers will be looking for in apprentice and trainee applicants. These include: a good attitude, wanting to learn the role, personal presentation, and working well in a team.
Most Australian Apprenticeship roles are entry-level, so the employer will understand that they need to train you up in how the workplace functions. They want to know that you will have a positive attitude to this training and are willing to put in the required effort.
If you have experience in a workplace that demonstrates you are a good fit, you should demonstrate that in your application. If you don't have workplace experience, think about other ways that you can demonstrate this, such as through education, participation in clubs or teams, or through work experience and volunteering.
Prepare for employers to research you
As part of the application process, you should be prepared for employers to research you. Just like you will be looking to find an employer who is the 'right fit', they will be looking to hire apprentices and trainees who meet their requirements.
Some things you could expect employers to look at when considering whether to hire you are:
- Your social media presence
- Public information that comes up when searching online for your name
- References you supply or contacting referees you nominate
You should also make sure that your email address, email signature and any automatic replies, and your phone message are appropriate for any employer that contacts you.