Are you thinking about applying for an apprenticeship? Whether you’re just starting out or already thinking about the next step in your career, it can feel daunting to know where to start. From electrical and plumbing to renewables and heating services, there are so many options, and so much information to take in. How do you secure an apprenticeship, and more importantly, how can you make your application stand out?
With over 15 years experience in apprenticeships and an award-winning program, we’ve been lucky enough to gain an incredible perspective to the world of work. So, if you are an aspiring apprentice eagerly awaiting our 2026 intake, or still at school and not too sure about what the future might hold, have a read through some of our top tips to hopefully help you succeed!.
So…What Exactly Is an Apprenticeship?
Maybe you’ve seen your friends or family become electricians or plumbers through an apprenticeship, or possibly you’ve heard that we offer apprenticeships to become heating engineer and multiskilled engineers (most young people have never heard of these jobs!) but you’re unsure what it actually involves.
By definition, an apprenticeship is:
“A job that combines on-the-job training with study, allowing you to earn while you learn.”
In practice, this means stepping straight into the industry, gaining real experience in the workplace, while also working towards a qualification through college study, setting you up for the future. To be totally honest; the path isn’t easy, it requires dedication, hard work and the right attitude. There will be lots of early morning starts and cold days on site, but this is also where you start building the foundations of a career that can last a lifetime. An apprenticeship in building services, renewables or construction doesn’t just teach you a trade, it gives you practical skills that are transferable almost anywhere. Over 90% of our apprentices have stayed with the business following their training, with many going on to manage jobs and even whole departments! That’s the real value of an apprenticeship, it opens doors, builds confidence, and sets you up for a career with endless possibilities.
What Can I Do Now?
Whilst our apprenticeship vacancies aren’t open until February/March 2026, there are lots of things aspiring apprentices can do in the meantime to strengthen applications. Here are just a few things we look for during the hiring process, to give you a little head start;
Get Some Work Experience
This doesn’t have to be trade specific or with a company! If you can gain this level lof exposure that is brilliant, but it is sometimes very difficult to arrange, and we get that. People with any form of genuine specific work experience on their CV, highlights to us they have worked hard to gain this experience, so it helps to make your CV stand out. Whether it’s a week-long work experience program, lending a hand to friends on a project, or helping family with jobs around the house, every bit of hands-on experience counts. These opportunities might seem small, but to us, they’re a chance to show initiative, build practical skills, and get a feel for what working in our world is really like. Employers value applicants who can demonstrate that they’ve already rolled up their sleeves and put theory into practice. Even simple tasks, like assembling furniture or shadowing a tradesperson, highlight your willingness to learn and motivation, and proves you’re not just interested in the trade; you’re actively engaging with it.
Get Out There, Network and Ask Questions!
Whilst many things have changed throughout the history of apprenticeships, still today, one of the most underrated ways to grow your knowledge is through networking. Try to talk to people already in the trade or industry, that could be teachers, careers advisors, family friends, or professionals you meet at career events, those who can give you thoughts and opinions you wouldn’t find in a book or online article (!). Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even the simple ones. Showing curiosity and initiative not only builds your knowledge but also demonstrates the kind of attitude employers value, while building your connections in the meantime.
Your networking and connections don’t just have to be linked to your chosen work field. Team sports or social clubs are a standout for me when looking at CV’s, showing perfectly how you can work as part of a team. Collaborating with team mates to win a game or coming together to solve a complex puzzle is a lot like working as part of a team at RI Cruden, so make sure you highlight that!
Work on Your CV and Cover Letter
Our apprenticeship scheme isn’t solely built around academic grades, so don’t let exam results hold you back. What matters most is your commitment to learning and your willingness to apply yourself.
That said, for our Electrical and Multiskilled Apprenticeship Programmes, National 5 maths is a minimum requirement to be able to pass the college studies!
When putting together your CV and cover letter, highlight any classes, projects, or topics at school that connect to your chosen trade. Whether that’s design and technology, maths, or physics, every opportunity for learning matters. Employers love to see evidence that you are genuinely interested in the industry and already starting to develop relevant skills. Remember you are fighting for your CV to stand out amongst hundreds of applications – what will you bring to the role better than anyone else? what do you have that others don’t? In your application, make sure to highlight your enthusiasm and genuine passion too. Tell us WHY you are inspired to pursue a career with RI Cruden and specifically the industries we work in.
When it comes to the submission of your documents, don’t use a family members email address – applications must come for your own personal email and make sure it’s an appropriate address for a job application.
And finally, make sure to check and double check your application! Using AI like ChatGPT can be fantastic, but make sure it all makes sense, and you can talk about anything included in an interview. It may sound silly but with over 100 applications for our apprenticeship positions last year, spelling mistakes or strange wording can make all the difference.
Pass your SECT Test (If You’re Interested in Electrical Apprenticeships)
If you’re thinking about applying for an electrical apprenticeship, completing a SECT (Scottish Electrical Charitable Training) test is an essential step in helping your application stand out from the crowd. An important note: you must have your SECT test completed before applying for an electrical apprenticeship with us, so your score will form a key part of our recruitment process, and help to evidence your aptitude for the trade.
If you’re new to the SECT test or have never heard of one before, it’s a short assessment that measures your numeracy, problem‑solving, and technical reasoning skills, all of which are vital in electrical work. Completing the test also helps to shows us that you’re motivated, organised, and already taking proactive steps toward the next stage of your career! Once you pass, you’ll receive a score that should be included in your CV or application to help strengthen your profile, and highlighting your ability.
Check out the full details, some practice materials, and booking information at the link below. And don’t worry if you haven’t sat the test yet, you can prepare, practice and book it at a time that suits you. Just remember: you must have a valid SECT result before submitting an application for an electrical, so completing it as early as you can puts you ahead of the game.
A BONUS TIP! – Apply for a CSCS Card.
As an extra way to strengthen your apprenticeship application with us, gaining a CSCS card is a bonus way to help you stand out. For those who aren’t too sure what CSCS cards are, they prove you have the right training, qualification and safety knowledge for work on a UK construction site. The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is widely recognised across the industry, and most contractors expect workers to hold a valid card before stepping on site. Many people who have already worked with contractors, for work experience or a part time job may hold one, which is excellent. If not, regardless of your experience level, you can apply for a Green Labourer Card, just like the one below!
Although a CSCS card is not mandatory for joining our apprenticeship scheme, obtaining one again, helps to demonstrate to us your commitment, enthusiasm, and motivation to build a career in the construction industry, but please don’t worry if this isn’t something you are able to do at the moment!
Choosing an apprenticeship is about more than just starting a job, it’s the first step toward building a career with real purpose and opportunity. The journey may have its challenges, but our key piece of advice is you get out what you put in. This goes for anything in life, if you have a goal and work hard to reach it and overcome set backs and learn from them you will go far. Every bit of effort you put in now, whether through experience, networking, or showing your passion in your application, will pay off in the long run. Take these tips as a starting point to prepare yourself, stay motivated, and keep your focus on the bigger picture. Good luck!
