Applying

Getting experience before you apply

You don't need a job history to get an apprenticeship, but experience helps. Free virtual work experience, volunteering, part-time work from 14 and the everyday skills employers count.

  • Applies to UK-wide
  • Reviewed
  • Reading time 2 min

The short answer

Most apprenticeships don't need previous work experience, but having some helps your application. Free virtual work experience (Aldi's takes 3 to 5 hours), volunteering and part-time jobs all count, and you can work part-time from 14. Employers also count hobbies, sport and school projects as evidence of skills.

Key figures

Time to complete Aldi's free virtual work experience programme with Springpod
3–5 hours
Source: Aldi UK
Age you can usually start part-time work (13 in some council areas)
14
Source: GOV.UK
Age range Channel 4's free virtual work experience is aimed at
14 to 24
Source: Channel 4

“No experience” is one of the biggest worries people have about applying. Most apprenticeships don’t expect you to have done the job before. But anything you can point to will make your application stronger.

You probably have more experience than you think

The government’s own advice is to think about the skills you’ve already built:

What you’ve done What it shows
Hobbies A willingness to learn
Sport Teamwork, and working with your hands
Gaming Problem solving
School projects Organisation and meeting deadlines

When you write your application, use real examples from these. Our CV guide shows how.

Free virtual work experience

Some employers run free online programmes you can do from home:

  • Aldi runs virtual work experience with Springpod. It takes 3 to 5 hours, you do it at your own pace, and you get a certificate.
  • Channel 4 runs free virtual work experience aimed at 14 to 24 year olds.

They’re a quick way to learn how a company works and get examples for interviews.

In-person work experience

Some employers run placements. Yorkshire Water, for example, offers work experience in engineering, digital and science, though some engineering placements are only for people aged 16 or over for safety reasons.

Volunteering

The government suggests volunteering to build skills for your applications. GOV.UK lists places to find opportunities, including:

  • Volunteering Matters (for young, older and disabled volunteers)
  • NHS Volunteering
  • Volunteer Scotland
  • Volunteering Wales

Part-time work

You can usually start part-time work from 14 (13 in some council areas). A Saturday job in a shop or café shows reliability, customer service and teamwork, which are exactly what many apprenticeship employers look for.

Turning it into a strong application

Whatever you’ve done, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe it. Our guide to cover letters and application questions explains how.

Summary

  • Most apprenticeships don't expect you to have done the job before.
  • Free virtual work experience from employers like Aldi and Channel 4 gives you real examples to talk about.
  • Volunteering, part-time work, sport and hobbies all show skills employers look for.
  • You can usually start part-time work at 14.

Questions you might have

Do you need work experience for an apprenticeship?

Usually not. Apprenticeships are designed to train you. Lloyds Banking Group says not to worry if you don't have much work experience, but you will need to show the right attitude and the skills you've built in other ways.

What is virtual work experience?

Free online programmes that show you what working somewhere is like. Aldi's takes 3 to 5 hours and gives you a certificate, and Channel 4's is aimed at 14 to 24 year olds.

Does volunteering count as experience for an apprenticeship?

Yes. The government suggests volunteering to build skills for your applications. GOV.UK lists places to find opportunities, including Volunteering Matters, NHS Volunteering, Volunteer Scotland and Volunteering Wales.

What counts as experience if I've never had a job?

Hobbies, sport, school projects, caring responsibilities and gaming can all show skills. The government gives examples: hobbies show willingness to learn, sport shows teamwork and gaming shows problem solving.

Can I get work experience at an employer before applying?

Some employers offer it. Yorkshire Water runs work experience placements in engineering, digital and science, though some engineering placements are only for people aged 16 or over.

Sources and review

Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.

  1. Apprenticeships Aldi UK · accessed
  2. 4Skills: Accelerating careers in the industry Channel 4 · accessed
  3. Early careers and work experience Yorkshire Water · accessed
  4. Apprenticeships FAQs Lloyds Banking Group · accessed
  5. Find help if you can't get hired Apprenticeships.gov.uk (Department for Education) · accessed
  6. Volunteer opportunities, rights and expenses GOV.UK · accessed
  7. Child employment GOV.UK · accessed

Read about how we research and review content.

  • Aldi apprenticeships

    The supermarket chain. It runs store, warehouse and HGV driver apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 3, paying from £343 to £415 a week for 30 hours. The Career Starter store and warehouse routes need no qualifications.

    Retail and logistics
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced

  • Channel 4 apprenticeships

    The publicly owned UK broadcaster. Through its 4Skills programme it runs Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships of 12 to 24 months for people from underrepresented groups. It also has a small number of higher-level apprenticeships from Level 4 to 7.

    Media and creative
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Lloyds apprenticeships

    The banking group behind Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows. It has over a thousand apprentices, on permanent contracts from day one, in programmes from intermediate to degree level lasting 12 months to five years.

    Finance and professional services
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree