Apprentice Applications at Drax

As our apprentice intake has gone live this month, we thought we would share some tips on applying for apprenticeship opportunities to give you the best chance of success whether you’re applying to Drax or elsewhere.

We fully appreciate that as a potential apprentice, you are taking a bit of a guess as to what career path you want to follow, but it’s still a good idea to try and tell us how you’ve come to the conclusion that this particular apprenticeship is what you want.

As a recruiter I read loads of CVs and application forms but one particular story that stuck in my mind was of a person applying for an engineering apprenticeship a few years ago. They had no experience in engineering but told a story in their application about one of their favourite toys breaking, and how they spent hours fascinated in putting it back together. This sparked an interest in the concepts of engineering for them. A simple, slightly flippant story, but the person was able to convey what engineering meant to them and how they had become interested in the subject.

Many companies (Drax included) will have an application form rather than just asking for your CV, meaning that you will have the opportunity to write something more specific to the apprenticeship you’re applying for. It might sound time consuming but writing a bespoke application every time you apply is your best chance of standing out.

Here are our top tips when it comes to applying for an apprenticeship:

1. Ask around and do some research.

2. Be selective about what or how many apprenticeships you apply for.

3. Give an application the time it deserves and do it properly.

4. Talk about yourself and what you have to offer so that you can really sell yourself in an application.

5. Practise clearly explaining what is making you apply for that specific apprenticeship.

Potential apprentices who can clearly explain themselves in their application always stand out. You don’t have to have the best grades or have loads of work experience to be given an apprenticeship. This does help of course, but the one thing that always makes us read an application twice is when we can see an applicant has made their application personal and specific and has put thought and effort into applying.

Taking time to explain why this apprenticeship or company is right for you, what you hope to gain and why you decided to apply shows maturity, determination and commitment — characteristics that any company would want in an apprentice.

If you’re interested in an apprenticeship at Drax, check out our website for more info https://www.drax.com/careers/apprenticeships/