Find help if you can’t get hired

If there are no vacancies

Our Find an apprenticeship service updates every day with new vacancies. You can set up alerts so you get notified straight away if a vacancy in what you’re interested in is posted.

Sometimes there’s high competition for apprenticeships - particularly in higher level apprenticeships like degree apprenticeships. Vacancies can also vary depending on time of year and where you are in the country.

There are a few things you can do if you are not able to find vacancies.

Explore other areas of work

Explore these areas of work and find out more about apprenticeships in:

• construction
• health and science
• education and early years

Widen your search

If you can travel, check for opportunities further away. You may want to decrease your level - remember, it’s okay to start at level 2 if you’re new to an industry.

Research and contact companies

If you only want to do a specific area of work, like marketing, you could research companies who do that type of work in your area. You could look on their website or contact them to see if they do apprenticeships.

Contact a network in your area

The Apprenticeship Ambassador Network is a group of people who help inspire future apprentices. They have regional networks who you could contact if you’re struggling to find an apprenticeship in your area.

My applications are not successful

If your applications are not successful, try not to be too disappointed. This is a typical part of applying for an apprenticeship or job and happens to everyone. You might have to apply for several apprenticeships before you find one that's right for you.

National Careers Service has lots of information if you find interviews difficult, or if you have had a few setbacks.

What to do next

Review the feedback (if you’ve got any) from the employer. If they have not sent you any, you can always ask them to see if they have any.

Have a look at your application and see if you can improve it. Did you make the application tailored enough to the company?

If you don’t have a lot of work experience and think that’s holding you back, think about other skills you’ve developed. For example, hobbies show skills and willingness to learn, sports show teamwork and working with your hands, gaming shows problem solving.

Consider volunteering to help develop your skills and add them to your application - you can find volunteering opportunities on GOV.UK.