How to Write an Apprenticeship Cover Letter (with examples)

Why apprenticeship cover letters are so important

The fundamental aim of an apprenticeship cover letter is to persuade a recruiter to read your apprenticeship CV, and eventually invite you to a face-to-face interview.

The best advice we can give you is to write a UNIQUE cover letter for every apprenticeship you apply to. It’s fine to start with a master copy or template, but employers will smell a generic cover letter a mile off.

It’s important to note the difference between a cover letter, an apprenticeship personal statement and a CV. Normally, when an employer asks for a personal statement it’s instead of a cover letter and CV, so you won’t necessarily be expected to send them over as well. 

The employer will tell you what they are looking for during the application process, so read carefully.

Step-by-step guide to writing the best cover letter for an apprenticeship

A few notes before we start:

• Your apprenticeship cover letter should be no longer than one side of A4

• Tailor the content to the specific role you’re applying for

• Be honest!

• Avoid buzzwords and cliches, e.g. describing yourself as ‘always giving 110%’ or ‘dynamic’

• Triple-check your spelling and grammar before submitting

• If you’re using AI to help write your cover letter, proof-read it first

Step: 1 Dear...

The opening address of an apprenticeship cover letter is crucial.

Avoid writing 'Dear Sir/Madam' or 'To whom it may concern'. This gives the impression you are sending 50 cover letters to 50 different employers.

Addressing your cover letter to the name of the person who will read it will show you’ve done your research. LinkedIn is great for this. If you’re still unsure who you’re writing to, contact the company and ask. And if you don’t hear back, go with 'Dear Hiring Manager'.

Step 2: Introduction

Start by specifying what position you are applying for, and where you found the vacancy.

Employers are usually hiring for multiple positions at the same time. So you want to make sure you’re being considered for the right role. Start with this…

'I am writing to apply for the engineering apprenticeship with GSK, as advertised on Higherin. Please find my CV enclosed.'

Step 3: Company Research

Now that they know why you are writing to them, it’s time to explain to the recruiter why you are interested in their apprenticeship.

Before you do anything else, do your research on the company. What makes them tick? What social issues do they care about? What qualities do they look for in employees?

The more your cover letter aligns with what they want, the better your chances of progressing to the next stage. Here’s a list of areas to focus your research on…

• Origins of the company

• Their vision and values

• Background of directors/the manager of the team you’re applying to

• Has the company been in the news recently?

• Any major projects the company has been involved in

If you want to find out more about the specific role you’re applying for, have a look through the 1000s of apprentice-written reviews on Higherin.

Now, return to your cover letter and write a short paragraph that explains why you want to do the apprenticeship and, more specifically, why you want to do it with this company.

For example:

'I was particularly drawn to an apprenticeship at Vodafone after discovering the groundbreaking projects I could get involved with; including making the UK’s first-ever 5G holographic call. My aptitude for problem-solving, combined with a desire to drive real change in the world, makes me a perfect candidate for this role.'

Here, you have demonstrated that you know and understand the vision and values of the company.

What’s more, you have declared an interest in helping the company achieve its mission. 

Step 4: Experience and Education

You’re on a roll, so it’s time to show how your unique skills, qualifications and experience make you the dream candidate for this apprenticeship.

The trick is to keep this section as relevant as possible to the role you’re applying for. So if you’re applying for a Catering Apprenticeship and you work part-time in Lidl’s bakery or have completed an online cooking course, that’s cover letter GOLD.

If you don’t have any experience in the world of work, instead focus on any modules you’ve studied at school or college that inspired you to consider this career path.

Step 5: Employment History / Work Experience

If you have a job, list your key responsibilities and any awards or achievements you have been given.

If you’ve never had a paid job, this is a fantastic opportunity to discuss any unpaid or voluntary work you have under your belt. Detailing previous work experience is a great way of providing evidence of the key skills you have said you possess.

Some employers will hire apprentices even if they don’t have the required grades, but have completed relevant work experience. Not only is it crucial to finding an apprenticeship, but can make a difference when applying for jobs.

If you don’t have any work experience in the field of your apprenticeship, it’s a good idea to try and find some. Even just a week-long work experience placement in a role that is similar to the apprenticeship is valued highly by employers.

Step 6: 'I'd like an interview please'

The difficult bit is over now. There is nothing left but a final flourish, in which you end the cover letter. It’s hard to trip up here.

In a couple of sentences, thank the recruiter for considering your application and express your enthusiasm for attending an interview.

For example:

'Thank you very much for considering my application. I would enjoy the opportunity to interview so that we can discuss the apprenticeship programme in more detail.'

Step 7: Bye and Thank You

If you started the letter with a personal name, end your apprenticeship cover letter with Yours Sincerely. Or, if you didn’t manage to find a name, Yours Faithfully.

And that’s it! You’ve finished writing your apprenticeship cover letter.

Example Apprenticeship Cover Letter

Using the examples from each step in this guide, we’ve put together an example cover letter for an Engineering Apprenticeship.

Here are TWO final things to remember when writing a cover letter for an apprenticeship:

1. If an online apprenticeship application asks you to write a cover letter in a text box, write it in a Microsoft Word document (or equivalent) first, then copy and paste it in. This way, you can check your spelling and grammar before sending off the cover letter and save it to your device.

2. If you are asked to email your CV and cover letter, write your name and the title of the apprenticeship you are applying for in the subject line.