Scarcely a week goes by without multiple enquiries to our office from aspiring electricians looking to gain an electrical apprenticeship. When we’ve advertised to recruit apprentices in the past we’ve often received hundreds of applications in a number of days. All this is to say there’s huge demand for electrical apprentice positions from jobseekers, so we’ve put together some tips on getting an apprenticeship based on what we look for when recruiting.
- Pre-Apprentice programs
There’s a range of pre-apprenticeship programs out there, these programs through Registered Training Organisations (RTO) offer a good introduction to trade work. We make it a mandatory requirement that apprenticeship applicants have attained a Certificate II in Electrotechnology when applying for a role with us.
A Cert II provides a range of skills such as an introduction to electrical theory, safe work procedures and hands on work. Having a cert II on your resume demonstrates commitment to an electrical career. You’ll also get your CPR/LVR and white card from doing the certificate, which are always a requirement for undertaking trade work.
Here’s a link to the TAFE Queensland page on their CERTII program: https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/17886/certificate-ii-in-electrotechnology-career-start
- Work experience
Undertaking work experience with an electrical contractor is usually a part of a cert II program. Having successfully completed work experience shows us that you’ve seen what it takes to do electrical work out in the field.
Our recommendation for anyone undertaking work experience is to ask your host employer for a written recommendation that you can attach to your resume to help your application stand out.
Employers usually have to fill out a feedback form for your RTO as well, if that’s the case make sure you get a copy before submitting it. Good feedback might give you a competitive edge when your application is reviewed.
- Attention to detail and communication
These days there’s a lot of paperwork that goes into being an electrician from filling out job-cards and test results or making written communications to co-workers and clients. In all of those activities your written communication will need to be professional and demonstrate an attention to detail.
Your job application is a good opportunity to show us that you’re capable of a high standard of written communication. Make sure you check spelling and punctuation, ensure that things like your email address are suitable for professional communication and not an inappropriate joke from when you made it as a teenager.
- Follow up an application
Your application may be number 175 out of 320, so it’s important to separate yourself from the pack. A follow up call for an application you’ve submitted shows initiative and motivation and gives the opportunity for a quick chat about your application and the role.
- A manual Drivers Licence
In our experience, most electrical contracting companies have their electricians and apprentices working out of manual vans every day, its important that applicants applying for a position can operate those vehicles from day one. So, get your manual licence if you don’t have one already!
- Write a cover letter, don’t be too generic, address the details
When applying for an advertised position, make sure you read the ad thoroughly and provide a resume and cover letter that is current and addresses all the requirements of the ad. A cover letter doesn’t have to be an essay on your hopes and dreams, our tip is to use the cover letter to tick off all the boxes for the role and demonstrate your professionalism and communication skills.
- Don’t take it personally
Whenever we’re inundated with good applications we always regret that we don’t have more positions available! So, if you don’t hear back from us, don’t despair another opportunity might be right around the corner.