Electrician Apprenticeships

[littleone85]

My brother has completed a two year electrical enginnering course at college but needs to do an apprenticeship to be able to be fully qualified to work as an electrician. He did really well at college often getting the best marks in his class and has recently passed his driving test which I assume would further increase his employability, he's been applying for loads of electricians apprenticeships all over the UK but has so far been unsuccessful. The main problem is that this profession is really oversubscribed at the moment.
Any ideas on how to make him more attractive and stand out from the crowd more to employers.
It seems so unfair that he's worked so hard and isn't getting anywhere.

[Bev2007]

Hi
I employed an electrical apprentice last year and hopefully will another this year. I also recruit university level placement students. Congratulations to your brother on his marks, and a driving license is indeed a good differentiator. Encourage your brother to find a way to put on his application that his marks were so good compared to his peers "top 10% of class" something like that. Dont be afraid of using the number (ask college if necessary) - thats what will catch the eye and he needs to liven up his application.
Anyway what I look for is:
- Literacy, I bin applications with spelling and grammatical mistakes
- an interesting personal statement, so many 18 year olds just have nothing to say about themselves!
- a practical inclination eg model building or helping uncle John rewire Granny's house

Depending on his career plan, Id advise him not to neglect smaller companies. Outfits like British Rail that run the bigger apprentice schemes will have more competition because its easy for students to apply and 'their mate works there'

Good luck to him

[angeldraws]

Hey Bev - can you give MY son an apprenticeship this year please???
Same situation as above - sorry littleone85 but if ya don't try..........

Hey littleone85 - i have some details if he don't mind North East Linclonshire - can't guarantee anything tho' - gimme ya email addy......

[diode dug]

It's life long learning...tell him just to stick at it, the college may get him a placement. offer his services free of charge if ness, work for diffrent companys say twice a week. One day someone will go on sick leave giving him the chance to shine, he will get that job but he needs to gain work experience and that referance at any cost. its a trade for life and is worth going for.

respect.