What do I put on an apprentice CV with no work history?

Use GCSEs, school projects, work experience, volunteering and practical hobbies. Show what you did and how you were reliable.

Do I need GCSEs to apply for an apprenticeship?

Many employers ask for English and maths at a set grade, but it varies by employer and standard. Check the advert and ask the employer if you are unsure.

Should I say which trade I want to learn?

Yes. Name the trade and the level, and give one reason, such as work experience that got you interested.

How long should an apprentice CV be?

One page. Put your education and any work experience near the top.

Apprentice CV example

A strong apprenticeship CV shows the GCSEs and practical skills you already have, real things you have done, and why you want this trade. Employers want to see reliability, good maths and a real interest in learning on the job.

Ravi Patel

Apprentice

Profile

Practical, reliable school leaver applying for an electrical apprenticeship, with GCSEs including maths at grade 5 and English at grade 4. Has completed a week of work experience with an electrician and helps at weekends with a family building firm. Careful, keen to learn the trade and comfortable with early starts and working on site.

Experience

Weekend Assistant

a family-run building firm

Carried tools and materials to site and kept the work area tidy and safe

Helped load and unload the van at the start and end of each day

Measured and cut timber and plasterboard to the sizes the builder gave

Wore the right PPE and followed the site rules set by the builder

Turned up on time every weekend, including early starts

Work Experience Placement

a small electrical contractor

Shadowed a qualified electrician for a week of domestic jobs, including socket and lighting work

Passed tools, pulled cable and cleared up at the end of each job

Learned why the power is isolated and tested before any work starts

Kept a short diary of each day's jobs and what was learned

Received positive feedback from the electrician for being careful, on time and keen to ask questions

Thank you for reading

Example · fictional candidate · Gallery design · Use this design

Tips for a apprentice CV

Name the apprenticeship standard you are applying for, such as installation and maintenance electrician (Level 3), so it is clear you have done your research
Put your GCSE maths and English grades near the top, as employers often ask for them
Use work experience, weekend help, hobbies such as fixing bikes or electronics, and school projects to show practical interest
Mention how you will get to work and that you can do early starts, as site jobs often begin early
Keep it to one page and ask a teacher or your work experience manager to be a referee

Applying with a cover letter? See our apprentice cover letter example.