Create your own apprenticeship opportunity

Employers really appreciate people who show initiative. That’s why we encourage you to reach out to businesses and see if they’d like to hire someone like you for an apprenticeship.

Interested? We’ve created some simple steps below to help you along in finding your perfect employer.

1. Find an employer

You’re probably wondering where to start, so here are a few tips:

Make the most of your contacts

Do you have a family member or friend’s parent you’d love to work for? If yes, get in touch with them and find out if they would be interested in taking you on as an apprentice.

Turn your part-time job or internship into an apprenticeship

Already working part-time or interning? Consider talking to your employer about transitioning your role into an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship offers structured learning, hands-on experience, and industry-recognised qualifications. If you need any assistance discussing the details, remember, we’re always here to help.

Research local companies

Are there any local businesses you know that would benefit from a tech, data or digital apprentice? Why not get in touch with them by phone or email to find out.

Network

You never know when you might have the opportunity to speak to a company director or recruiter, so be bold! Take the opportunity to introduce yourself, share your interest in apprenticeships, and don’t hesitate to ask for their business card or LinkedIn profile to connect and discuss further.

And don’t worry - you may feel slightly awkward and a little bit out of your comfort zone, but employers will be impressed with your initiative. Remember: if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

2. What do I say?

Now is your chance to sell yourself and apprenticeships. Make sure you highlight your enthusiasm for the industry you're aiming to join, and if you’ve had time to prepare, research the company and get to know exactly what they do. This is your moment to make a great impression!

Make sure you also talk about how an apprenticeship will benefit them:

• Funding – the programme is government funded, meaning that by taking on an apprentice, not only could the employer develop their workforce, but they could also tap into available funding by hiring you.
• Reduced costs – taking on an apprenticeship will allow them to cut costs, as they don’t have to invest large sums of money training new employees.
• Constantly growing skills – our apprenticeship programmes combine high-quality training with real-world experience, enabling employers to build the skills they need to match their business needs.
• Build local talent – employers can build and retain local talent (like you) by up-skilling them through high-quality training relevant to the job role.t
• It’s a flexible programme – there is a step-off point after 12 to 14 months if our apprenticeship programme isn’t right for you or your employer.

If they need any more convincing, we’ve worked with over 3,500 employers such as Capgemini, Cognizant, Costa Coffee, Capita and Lidl to help energise their workforce. We have also been featured on Sky News, BBC South, BBC Birmingham and London Live, which will help them see that apprenticeships are a pretty big deal.

So, the question really is, why haven’t they already decided to take on apprentice!

3. I’ve found my employer – now what?

Great news! Now that you’ve secured your employer, simply let us know. We’ll take it from there, reaching out to them to help get your apprenticeship journey started and guide you through the next steps.

Get in contact by emailing: employanapprentice@qa.com