Education/training
Apprenticeship: What's nextYou've done the necessary upfront legwork to pursue an apprenticeship: you've evaluated your own skills and abilities, and researched trades to determine which one suit you best. What next? |
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 [ 2008-02-27 ] |
ACTION PLAN:
Apprenticesearch.com suggests developing an action plan that involves setting specific and realistic goals, and creating strategies to achieve them. Factors to consider when creating your plan include your training timeline, required educational upgrades and cost of tools and training.
To assist you in your search, you'll need:
- A resume and cover letter: Ensure they are customized to target specific jobs. Check www.apprenticesearch.com for guidance on tailoring these documents.
- Business/networking card: A compact document to represent yourself when you can't carry your resume.
- Portfolio: Like an expanded resume, it's a visual display of your strengths, achievements and abilities relevant to your trade of interest.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Course transcripts.
- Photos of relevant projects that reflect your abilities, for example, from your hobbies or past volunteer experiences.
SEARCH FOR A SPONSORING EMPLOYER (IF FOLLOWING THE TRADITIONAL ROUTE):
There are many ways to go about finding an employer to sponsor your apprenticeship, including:
- Apprenticesearch.com: The website helps match apprenticeship seekers with employers offering apprenticeship training and jobs. Users may create a profile, post a resume and apply for positions.
- Networking: By talking and connecting with people in your position or industry, you'll be able to learn about unadvertised opportunities.
- Information interviews: Follow the steps outlined in the Research stage (in part one of this story) to increase your network of contacts.
- Classified ads: While most jobs are not advertised this way, it doesn't hurt to keep your eye on these ads as part of your overall strategy.
- Internet: Regularly search the variety of online job boards for relevant opportunities. Appren ticesearch. com features a link to third-party recruiters.
COLD CALLING:
By cold calling prospective employers, you'll gain an edge over the competition and possibly find out about unadvertised positions.
"It's a way of discovering more about the occupation through connections in your own community," says Dianne Seed, project manager for apprenticesearch.com.
When cold calling, you should introduce yourself; ask to speak to the hiring manager; ask if it's a good time for them to talk; explain the purpose of your call and market your skills and abilities; and be prepared to answer questions. Consult with a career counsellor to learn and practise cold-calling techniques. Check www.apprenticesearch.comfor a sample cold calling starter script.
INTERVIEWING:
An interview is a critical opportunity to make a good first impression on an employer. You need to set yourself apart by accurately and effectively marketing your skills, experience, abilities and attitude. A career counsellor can help you prepare for an interview, and www.apprenticesearch.comfeatures sample interview questions in its HR Guide for Employers.
FOLLOWUP:
After an interview, stay in touch with the employer by phone, e-mail or in person to demonstrate your interest, initiative and dedication. A followup call also provides an additional opportunity to market your skills and set yourself apart from the competition.
STAY POSITIVE AND MOTIVATED:
Searching for an apprenticeship is hard work and can take months, so try not to become discouraged if things don't work out right away. Surround yourself with supportive people, stay open-minded and periodically re-evaluate your job search.
GETTING HIRED - WHAT'S NEXT?
The employer may want to hire you on a trial basis to assess your learning potential, attitude and work ethic. To learn about the qualities many employers seek in apprenticeship candidates, visit the Employability Skills chart lists on the Conference Board of Canada website www.conferenceboard.ca.
"Employers are looking for people who not only have technical skills, but who can solve problems and communicate," says Art Mayer, employer recruiter with www.apprenticesearch.com. "They want people who can last with their company, be a good learner and have a positive work ethic."
Once an employer is ready to register you as an apprentice, you'll need to contact the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and complete and sign an apprenticeship training agreement between you, the employer and the ministry.
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