Apprenticeship Recruitment & Job Support
Mini-Guide – Wales 21.2.22
Helping young people and career seekers to get ahead
About Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are real, fixed term contract jobs, with a salary and training provided by an accredited training provider for the duration. You are an employee of the company from the day you start your apprenticeship.
The salary paid depends on the employer. The minimum wage for apprentices is lower than the national minimum wage. But that is because you are being trained for a career that you are currently unskilled for, and that time and effort represents a cost to the company investing in you.
Most UK apprentices are offered full-time employment contracts by their sponsoring employer at the end of their apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships can be at entry level, foundation level, intermediate level, Higher level or Degree level.
You can apply for an apprenticeship at 16 as a school leaver, at 17, 18, 19 and over as a school /college leaver or as a graduate over 21.
Some apprenticeship jobs only want Graduates to apply. Some want young people with just GCSE qualifications. Some want you to have BTECs. Others want you to have some experience. Most will be open to a wide pool of candidates who might not normally get considered for employment through traditional recruitment agencies. Most companies handle the recruitment process themselves (or work with a trusted partner like Industry Learning Solutions Ltd) so they are able to make decisions quickly.
Applications: Writing your CV
Most jobs ask you to send a copy of your current CV and a separate letter or email to explain why you want to be considered for the job. For guidance on how to write your CV check out: https://www.jobsinwales.com/blog/whattoincludeinyourcv/17
Apprenticeship Jobs currently being advertised in South Wales include:
Deloittes Cardiff
Renishaw Cardiff
Aston Martin, Vale of Glamorgan
GE Aviation Cardiff
BAE Glascoed and nationally
Caerdav – Cardiff
Exxon Mobil – Newport
Associated British Ports – Newport, Cardiff, Swansea
AFI Group Powered Access - Caldicot
BBI – Crumlin
SSE – Nationally
EDF Energy – Bridgwater, Somerset
And many more including Transport for Wales, Rolls Royce, etc!
Where are apprenticeship jobs advertised?
A wide range of free jobs platforms advertise apprenticeship and intern opportunities including the following:
Careers Wales
https://gov.wales/careers-wales
Total jobs
https://www.totaljobs.com/jobs/in-wales
Cv-library.co.uk
Indeed
Jobrapido.com
Jobsinwales.com
Welsh Government jobs:
https://gov.wales/job-and-vacancies
Apprenticeships are often advertised on company websites.
For example Aston Martin Lagonda are currently advertising: https://careers.astonmartin.com/en/job/508768/apprentice
Apprenticeship Showcase: Aston Martin Lagonda, St Athan
If you have a passion to work in automotive manufacturing and for a world-leading brand, then Aston Martin have opportunities for apprenticeships specialising in crafts in Paint, Trim, Quality and Parts Operations. In addition there is an opportunity for a degree engineering apprenticeship for Body Development.
An apprenticeship at Aston Martin provides the opportunity to earn a salary whilst gaining practical experience and knowledge, as well as academic qualifications.
The programme consists of a 4-year Fixed Term Contract Apprenticeship during which you will spend 80% of your time in a hands-on role and 20% studying towards a relevant qualification.
These full-time manufacturing apprentice roles are currently open for applications in different locations including South Wales (St Athan) and West Midlands before 28th February 2022! The apprenticeships start in September 2022.
To be eligible to apply to the Aston Martin Apprenticeship Scheme, you will need to:
Demonstrate an interest in the automotive industry through work experience, hobbies, project work etc.
Be a strong team-player, demonstrate a positive work ethic, ambition and a passion for working in the motor industry.
Have the minimum entry qualifications outlined on their early careers website.
If you are interested in applying for this role, complete and submit the online application form by Monday 28th February 2022. Assessment Centres will take place end of March 2022. The start date for the apprenticeship will be Monday 5th September 2022. For details look at:
Apprenticeship Showcase: Deloittes
Deloittes have exciting opportunities available on their BrightStart Apprenticeship Programme at their offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, London and Manchester, Visit their careers site and apply before the 28th February.
https://deloittecandidate.ambertrack.co.uk/studentprogrammes2022/landingpage.aspx
Further detail on Deloitte Early Careers Programmes
Deloitte is a multinational professional services network with offices in over 150 countries and territories around the world. Deloitte is one of the Big Four accounting organizations and the largest professional services network in the world by revenue and number of professionals, with headquarters in London, England.
Programmes Available
To discover more about which vacancies are available within their multiple career paths, click on the programme of interest. Deloittes are offering Apprenticeships, Graduate Programmes, Summer Work Experience, etc:
Apprenticeship Showcase: EDF Energy, Somerset
EDF Energy are constructing Hinkley Point C (HPC) a new power station near Bridgwater in Somerset. There are many exciting roles available if you can travel.
EDF is offering apprenticeship opportunities in: Engineering, Chemistry, Cyber Security, Renewable Energy and Business. You can apply up to 28th February 2022. You will gain a recognised qualification, get paid a competitive salary and benefits:
https://www.edfenergy.com/careers/apprenticeships
Candidates can apply for a wide range of opportunities at EDF in Somerset. Apprenticeship roles currently include:
Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Apprenticeship - HPC
Chemistry Technician Degree Apprenticeship
Maintenance and Operations Engineering Apprenticeship
Nuclear Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Business Administration Apprenticeship
Other career support is available
Springpod
The Engineering Development Trust
https://www.etrust.org.uk/young-people
The EDT offer Industrial Cadet Awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold) to school pupils interested in a career in engineering and STEM. The Industrial Cadet Award links industry and academia so the student gets an opportunity to see what a real job looks like and the routes to achieving that (university or apprenticeship).
Careers Wales – free online guidance
https://gov.wales/careers-wales
Industry Learning Solutions Ltd
Are you just interested in what jobs are out there?
General Industry Recruitment and Job Opportunities
Cardiff Capital Region jobs
https://www.gradwales.com/location/CardiffCapitalRegion/
A lot of the jobs advertised on this site are trainee or junior positions and don’t always require a degree!
Recent graduate? Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) offers companies free support to source and recruit graduates into roles in Wales. Contact to be added to their database of skilled graduates ready for fixed-term project work.
Check-out Careers-Wales and usual job search platforms.
Welsh job opportunities currently exist with:
Celsa UK Cardiff
MJ Quinn, Powys
KPMG Cardiff
General Dynamics
General Dynamics
General Dynamics regularly advertise for a wide range of jobs, including engineering. You can get notified of the latest opportunities by signing up for their Job Alerts at https://bit.ly/3B0spgI #GDUKjobs
GKN Bristol
A range of jobs available in GKN aerospace are advertised weekly. Sign up for regular notifications from the GKN Aerospace Careers Talent Community and search GKN jobs at careers.gknaerospace.com
GKN job selection include
Communications & Engagement Intern - Global Technology Centre - Bristol, GB
Senior Research Engineer - Digital Process Planning & Visualisation - Bristol, ENG, GB
Market /Business Intelligence Consultant (New/Emerging Markets) - Bristol, GB
Global Standards Configuration Management Lead - Remote - Irving, TX, US
Quality Systems Regulatory Knowledge & Compliance Lead - Bristol HQ, GB
Supplier Quality & Development Manager (Defence) - Blythe Valley, GB
EDF Energy, Hinkley Point, Somerset.
As at 14.02.22 HPC Jobs Service currently has 89 unfilled vacancies for EDF and its supply chain from auditors to electricians to administrators and kitchen assistants. Apply for weekly job alerts and apply for roles at: https://hpcjobsservice.edfenergy.com/go/Job-Vacancies/3773001/
You need to remember that Welsh platforms only promote jobs in Wales. However, you might also be successful in nearby counties in England so spread your search net wide. Bristol, Gloucester, Hereford are commutable.
The above is just a small sample of the opportunities out there and where to start looking.
