How to Find an Apprenticeship Employer

Your apprenticeship journey starts now. Taking proactive steps to connect with businesses can open doors and create opportunities.

Starting your apprenticeship journey doesn’t have to wait until your course begins. You can start working with a business beforehand, and taking proactive steps can make all the difference.

Why Be Proactive?

Employers value initiative. Reaching out directly shows you’re motivated and serious about your career. Here’s how to make a strong impression and create opportunities.

1. Where to Look

Before contacting businesses, start by identifying potential employers. Most companies, large or small, can offer apprenticeships, so explore your local area and online resources.

Local ideas:

Note company names from vans, shop fronts, and local advertisements.
Ask family and friends if they know businesses that might be interested.

Digital options:

Use search engines (e.g. Google) to find local companies.
Check job boards like Indeed for entry-level roles, these could potentially be converted into apprenticeships.
Browse social media platforms, community groups, and local Facebook pages.
Explore trade directories such as Checkatrade.
Use AI tools to compile lists of local companies and their contact details.

2. Organize Your Outreach

Create a spreadsheet or make a note of companies to track your efforts. You should include:

Company Name
Phone number & Email
Response Status (Positive, Negative, No Response)

Follow-up tips:

If no response, follow up after 2 days, then again after a week.
Whenever possible, speak to someone in person or over the phone. If that’s not possible, send an email and end with an open question, such as:
“It would be great to discuss this over the phone or in person, when would be a good time for us to speak?”

3. Understand the Employer’s Perspective

Many small businesses have never hired an apprentice and may worry it’s complicated. Show that you’ve done your research and highlight the benefits:

Simple process: Plumpton College supports employers and handles most of the paperwork.
Funding & grants: Small businesses often qualify for 95-100% funding for the course, depending on the age of their apprentice. Different criteria may also enable them to receive a £1,000 grant and exemption from National Insurance payments.
Cost-effective: Employers can train someone from scratch, often for free or at a heavily discounted rate.
Tailored training: Apprentices often learn company-specific processes and culture that help them mould to their company.
Extra perks: Free industry tickets and certifications included in the apprenticeship (worth hundreds or thousands of pounds).
Long-term benefits: Helps address skills shortages and succession planning.
Access to resources: Apprentices gain specialist training & equipment. They then bring that knowledge back to the business.

4. Prepare Your Introduction

When contacting a company, either by phone call or email, include:

A brief overview of the apprenticeship you’re interested in (e.g., “I’m hoping to undertake the Level 3 Livestock Unit Technician apprenticeship with Plumpton College and I’m looking for a company to work with during my training.”).
Why you want to work with their business and what skills or qualities you can offer.
If emailing, attach your CV.

Make It a Sales Pitch

Show you’ve researched their company and sector and why you want to work with them.
Explain what you hope to gain and what you can contribute.
Highlight the benefits of taking you on as an apprentice.
Offer to do a short trial (a few hours or days) to see if it’s a good fit.

If they are unable to help, politely ask:

“Could you recommend anyone else who might be able to assist?”