You can apply online for one of our current vacancies or use our online form once you have selected which apprenticeship you would like to study.

Alternatively, complete a paper form which you’ll find at the back of our prospectuses or download here.

If you are not sure what you want to do, or you want to keep your options open, you can apply for more than one Apprenticeship and have more than one interview, just enter all the information on one application form. The most important thing is that you eventually enrol on the right Apprenticeship!

There are Apprenticeship Recruitment Advisors at the College to help you with your application and may be able to put you in contact with a relevant employer if you haven’t found one already. Please call 01278 655111 or email business@btc.ac.uk to get in touch.

Gaining employment

If you have already found an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice then just fill in a College application form, and the College will arrange for one of our Training Assessors/Apprenticeship Recruitment Advisors to visit your workplace and check that your job role fits with your proposed Apprenticeship programme.

If you haven’t secured employment yet, please take a look at our current live Apprenticeship Vacancies, or contact our Apprenticeship Recruitment Advisors who will be able to put you in contact with a relevant employer. Please call 01278 655111 or email business@btc.ac.uk to get in touch.

Tips for finding an employer

• Look at our current Apprenticeship Vacancies.
• Look in local papers and search employer websites for vacancies.
• Ask family and friends if they know of any employers who might be interested in taking you on.
• Visit employers’ organisations, to ask them directly if they might have a suitable vacancy.
• Although you are not required to produce a covering letter and CV, it is useful to have one as employers are likely to expect to see them on the application. See our example cv for what you are expected to include.

Interviews

If we have all the information we need on your application form, we will invite you to attend an interview. The sooner you return your form, the sooner you will receive an interview, and as a general rule, these are held at least once a month and sometimes more often. The interview and a presentation about your subject will give you more information and make sure you are considering the right course for your future. Your parents/carers are welcome to come with you. If available, it will be beneficial for you to bring a copy of your certificates and if the Apprenticeship/Traineeship is technical/talent based, you may be asked to produce a portfolio of work. You will be notified of any items you are required to bring prior to the interview.

Initial assessments

Part of the application process is to complete an Initial assessment. This will provide the College with an indication of your career interests and your aptitude and motivation for training. The assessment includes an interest profile and three reasoning assessments. It is not an exam and there is no pass or fail. Training providers use the assessment (along with other information), to enable you to be referred to the most relevant area and level of training.

College attendance

The most common College attendance is a day release, where the Apprentice/Trainee will be at College one day a week and at their workplace for four. Other modes of attendance are also possible for specialist courses, or if the learner is further away, such as block release, where the Apprentice will be at College for a longer period of time. Some Apprenticeships are carried out entirely in the workplace, with the support from an Assessor.

Advice and Guidance

There are lots of people who can provide you with help with applying to College. Your School Careers Teacher is trained to give you careers advice or if you think you need some one-to-one advice, we have staff trained to offer impartial guidance. Just call 01278 441234 to make an appointment.