If you’re a recent grad or someone looking to make a career change, an apprenticeship is a great way to learn, gain hands-on experience, and get paid at the same time. Hundreds of people begin apprenticeships in the UK every year, but to land the most exciting ones, you’ll need a great apprentice CV.
Luckily, you’re not alone in this endeavour. With dozens of CV examples and writing guides, Resume.io is an expert resource for job seekers in all fields and levels of their careers — including apprentices. We’ll walk you through the right qualities and experiences to place on your CV to land a great opportunity.
This CV guide, along with the corresponding apprentice CV example will cover the following topics:
- What does an apprentice do?
- How to write an apprentice CV (tips and tricks)
- The best layout for an apprentice CV
- Advice on each section of your CV (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional CV layout and design hints.
What does an apprentice do?
Apprentices are trainees who work alongside skilled professionals. Apprenticeships most often include a combination of hands-on experience and classroom learning. In the UK, classroom learning must be at least 20 percent of the normal working hours. Most apprenticeships take between 1-5 years to complete.
Apprentices can work in pretty much any field but some of the most common industries for apprentices include:
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Business
- Health and care
- Law
- Construction
- Retail and commercial
How to write an apprentice CV
The very first step in writing your apprentice CV is understanding what sections to include. Your CV should contain the following elements:
- The CV header
- The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The CV skills section
- The education section
As apprenticeships are a learning opportunity, candidates aren’t expected to come to the job with significant amounts of experience. While that can be a relief, it also means that many other applicants will have similar entry-level skills and be relying on their work ethic and determination to land the job.
A neat and organised CV is one of the best ways to stand out and show an employer you’re a professional applicant. Make sure to research the company before applying and customise your CV for the exact apprenticeship you hope to complete. By tailoring your CV to the needs of the employer, you’ll help show that you’re the right fit for the role.
Choosing the best CV format for an apprentice
Apprentices have a few options when it comes to choosing the best CV format. If you have worked any jobs or completed any internships before, even if it wasn’t related to the field of your desired apprenticeship, you may opt for the reverse chronological CV. This approach focuses on your previous experience by placing it in an employment history section. Reverse chronological is considered the ‘standard CV approach’ because it’s the one hiring managers expect to see.
If you are just starting out in the world of work, you may consider the functional or hybrid structures. These options focus more on skills at the top of your CV and minimise the employment history section. Read more about them in our overall guide to CV formats.
CV summary example
The summary of your CV is the perfect place to introduce yourself and make the case for why you’re the right choice for a company’s internship. These 3-5 free-flowing sentences are likely the only place on your CV where you’ll get to speak personally to the hiring manager and call their attention to your strengths, motivations, and any previous experience that you may have.
The goal of the summary is to encourage the hiring manager to read the rest of your CV. Find an adaptable summary CV example below.
Hardworking Apprentice currently receiving on-the-job training from an experienced, licensed carpenter. Building a foundation of knowledge in basic carpentry skills, including blueprint reading, understanding of tools, measuring and cutting, and assembly skills. Eager to find work and contribute to the satisfaction of clients.
For more inspiration for your summary, check out our graduate CV sample, school leaver CV example, internship CV sample, and student CV example.
Employment history sample
The employment history section can feel difficult when you’re applying for an apprenticeship. After all, this will likely be your first professional experience. One way to tackle this section is to list any part-time jobs, volunteer positions, school activities, clubs, or hobbies.
You can use these to discuss your existing skills. These are abilities you have used in the previous situation that would carry over to an apprenticeship. Organisation, efficiency, the ability to follow instructions or learn quickly could all be good examples of transferable skills.
If possible, give concrete examples of how you used these traits and the positive results they brought about. See our adaptable employment history CV sample below.
Apprentice Carpenter at Northeast Carpentry, Londen
Jul 2021 - Aug 2022
- Worked under the supervision of a qualified journeyman carpenter to set up and clean up construction areas, retrieve tools, and refill work pouches.
- Honed my basic carpentry and technical skills and gained knowledge about building code requirements and blueprint reading.
- Completed both classroom instruction work and on-the-job training.
- Measured and cut wood, and assembled parts for different types of jobs.
- Consistently assisted in maintaining a safe work environment for all.
- Learned and abided by building codes and OSHA safety regulations.
Carpenter Assistant at Feldpro Builders
Oct 2019 - Jun 2021
- Worked to provide support and assistance to the carpenters to ensure they were provided with the right type of tools and supplies for job completion.
- Listened carefully and followed instructions for each and every project.
- Assisted carpenters with interior trim/finish work, cabinetry, metal framing, and exterior finish work.
- Put away supplies and tools in a safe and accessible place at the end of the day.
- Measured and cut building materials accordingly.
- Conducted repairs and maintenance as needed.
CV skills example
The skills section of your CV is the best place to call the employer’s attention to any special skills or interests that you don’t want them to miss. Any foreign language abilities can be included here, along with hobbies that may be relevant to the apprenticeship.
If you have any hard skills (i.e. technical ones) that are relevant to the job, you can list them here. If not, focus on soft skills, or personality traits that will make you the perfect apprentice. See our CV sample below.
- Fast Learner
- Carpentry
- Mathematics
- Ability to Work in a Team
- Customer Service
- Knowledge of Safety Procedures
- Agile Project Management
Apprentice CV education example
As a potential apprentice, the education section of your CV is crucial. Employers need to know whether you’ve completed any GCSEs, or even university courses.
Your current level of education serves as the starting point for the apprenticeship. Make sure to include the school name, dates attended, and location. You may also place any academic achievements, awards, certifications or memberships in this section as well.
Apprentice Carpenter
Jul 2021 - Present
Belfast St. Colm's High School
Sep 2017 - Jun 2021
- A Level Business Studies, General Studies, Mathematics
CV layout and design
The layout and design of your CV are what makes you stand out from other candidates and show that you’re serious about the apprenticeship. Start by creating a header that calls attention to your name and contact info and is appropriate for your industry. You may choose an accent colour, but a neutral colour scheme can work for a variety of industries.
An apprentice won’t need a complicated design. Instead, aim for consistency and organisation. Aim to use the same 1-2 font styles throughout your CV and keep a balance of white space to text to avoid visual fatigue for the reader. A professionally-designed CV template can help eliminate formatting mistakes. Before you submit, make sure to use spell check and identify any typos or grammar mistakes.
Key takeaways for an apprentice CV
- Apprenticeships are a great way to earn hands-on experience in a variety of fields so now is the time to create your CV.
- The summary is a useful tool to call attention to your skills and any previous experience you may have while showcasing a bit of personality.
- Focus on internships, hobbies, and volunteer positions in your employment history section and try to give concrete examples of your successes.
- Check out our adaptable apprentice CV sample for more insight into creating a great page design.
