Apprenticeships have been around for decades. In recent years they’re becoming more and more popular among school leavers as an alternative to going down the traditional route of going to sixth form then university. But if you’re worried that having zero experience will hold you back from getting an apprenticeship, then you’re not alone. Every year, hundreds of school leavers and career changers ask the same thing: Can you get an apprenticeship with no experience? The good news is yes, you absolutely can, and not only that, employers expect it.
Apprenticeships are designed for people who are just starting out. You’re not supposed to have years of job experience under your belt. That’s the whole point of the programme: to give you the skills alongside real-world understanding that a traditional classroom alone can’t offer.
But if you’re unsure about how to go about getting an apprenticeship with no experience, this guide will walk you through what to do – and more importantly, what actually works.
What Do Employers Really Want From Apprentices?
You may think that employers are looking for a perfect CV, but the thing is, some employers actually don’t want that and here’s why. When hiring new staff, especially when it comes to a trainee role, a lot of employers would rather mold the employee to their way of doing things, over hiring someone who picked up bad habits that they now have to unlearn. Because let’s be real, employers looking for an apprentice know what they’re getting – they are employing someone who they can train from scratch. That’s why getting an apprenticeship with no experience is actually more common than you think, as long as you can demonstrate your potential and perform well during your interview, your lack of experience in that field shouldn’t hold you back when you’re applying for apprenticeships.
Getting An Apprenticeship With No Experience
If you are fresh out of school, the first thing you need to do is choose the right kind of apprenticeship. You don’t need to know your career plans for the next ten years, but you do need to think about what interests you now and what you’re willing to work at. At Avant Skills Academy, we offer a wide range of apprenticeships that are open to people with no prior experience.
Business Administrator
Our business admin apprenticeships are versatile across a wide range of different industries. This course involves supporting office processes, which could be anything from managing emails to dealing with client queries. You’ll learn organisational and digital skills that can translate to many different sectors.
Content Creator
For those who desire going down a more creative job path, the content creator apprenticeship is a fantastic option. You could work at a creative agency or land a marketing role in-house where you’ll develop social media, photography, video editing or copywriting skills.
Data Technician
More of an analytical job role, a data technician apprenticeship is ideal for those who enjoy working with numbers and computers. You’ll learn how to process and interpret data, which you could carry into healthcare, finance or logistics job roles.
Construction or Hairdressing
If you prefer hands-on work or you just want something more practical than an office based job, we offer both hairdressing and construction apprenticeships that can give you physical skills and real world experience from day one.
How To Strengthen Your Application Without Job Experience
If you’re wondering how to get an apprenticeship with no experience, there are ways you can show potential employers that you’re an ideal candidate for their position. Here are some of the steps you can take if you have zero experience to improve your chances of landing an apprenticeship role with an employer.
Tailor your CV
Even without previous job experience, your CV shouldn’t be empty. This is where you can really highlight your strengths such as punctuality, reliability, and communication skills; even if they were demonstrated in school projects, sports teams or volunteering. You will have picked up on more skills than you think throughout your school career, and those skills can be transferred into the workplace. Don’t forget to include your GCSEs and any other qualifications too! However if you don’t have those, we’ll touch on how to get an apprenticeship with no qualifications later.
Write a personal statement
Most apprenticeship providers will ask for a short statement explaining why you want the role. This is where you can show your enthusiasm. Be specific about why the role appeals to you and what you hope to learn. Avoid clichés and generalisations like “I want to gain experience.” Instead, say something like: “I’ve been learning Canva in my spare time and would love the chance to apply that to a real social media project”.
Get familiar with the basics
If you don’t have any formal experience, that’s fine, but you need to have an edge. The key is to do your research. Start learning some of the basics that apply to your job role – you don’t have to go crazy as you should learn these skills on the job. But having a basic understanding of Excel if you’re looking at admin/date roles for example, can not only give you a step up over other candidates who aren’t familiar, but this also shows your employer that you’re enthusiastic about learning and you can take initiative.
What Happens After You Apply?
If you apply through a provider like Avant Skills Academy, the process is more supportive than just sending off a CV and waiting to hear back. Once you apply, the team will review your application, talk to you about your interests and strengths, and then send your application off to your chosen vacancy.
If an employer likes your application, you’ll be invited for an interview. But don’t worry – employers know you’re at the start of your journey. As long as you turn up with confidence, explain yourself clearly and show you’re motivated, you’re already in a strong position. And if the interview doesn’t go your way? The team at Avant will help you apply for other roles – you’re not on your own!
But if your interview is successful? Congratulations, you’ve landed an apprenticeship with no experience! Next, you’ll start your new role with your employer, and you will also start your apprenticeship course with your training provider. With Avant this means you will take part in classroom learning one day every two weeks and work towards your EPA (end point assessment). Your apprenticeship can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months, but if you are ready for your exam after you have been on course for at least a year, you can be put forward for your EPA. After you’ve completed the course, your employer may keep you on full time.
So… Can You Get An Apprenticeship With No Experience?
Yes – and you should! Not having experience doesn’t disqualify you. It actually makes you the target audience for some employers. Whether you’ve just finished school or you’re switching paths later in life, apprenticeships are built around the idea that people need a way into a career. They’re designed for learners, not experts.
The most important thing is to not wait. Start by looking at what’s available. Visit training provider sites like Avant Skills Academy and browse our current vacancies in Hull and Grimsby. And remember: nobody expects you to have all the answers on day one. You just have to be ready to show up and try.
Can You Get An Apprenticeship With No Qualifications?
Whilst not having experience is to be expected with most apprenticeships; having no qualifications is a different story. Although there are actually ways around this. If you didn’t get the GCSEs you were hoping for, it’s not the end of the world. At Avant Skills Academy, we offer pre-appreticeship programs, which are basically like the stepping stone to an apprenticeship. They’re specifically designed for those who aren’t quite ready for an apprenticeship – giving them the opportunity to build soft skills, experience, and confidence to get them ready for starting their course. We also offer a separate Functional Skills assessment if you are accepted for an apprenticeship but don’t have Maths and English GCSEs at grade C/4 or above. This will be done alongside your apprenticeship course, and you will need to pass this before you’re put forward for your EPA.
Find Your Apprenticeship With Avant Skills Academy
So now that we’ve answered the question: can you get an apprenticeship with no experience? It’s time you find the right one for you! At Avant, we work with learners of all ages and backgrounds – including those with no experience at all. We’ve helped school leavers, career changers and returners find apprenticeships that lead to real jobs in digital marketing, business support, IT, and more. If you’re unsure where to start, our team will help guide you through the process, from choosing the right programme to preparing for your first interview. If you’re ready to get started, explore our live vacancies or contact us today. Getting an apprenticeship with no experience is possible – and we’re here to help make it happen.