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It may be challenging to learn the necessary skills for jobs not traditionally taught in standardized education. Luckily, an apprenticeship solves this by providing a hands-on experience for professionals to train an apprentice in a trade or craft-based field of work.
If you are looking to start a career in engineering, plumbing, carpentry, construction, or any other trade-based work then a strong apprenticeship cover letter will be a great addition to your application and will propel you towards landing your first job! A well-written and sincere apprenticeship cover letter can boost your chances of landing the apprenticeship.
Use these tips and tricks to nail your apprenticeship cover letter!
A cover letter is a short letter (typically within one page) that is submitted alongside a resume or CV. A cover letter serves to set you apart from other applicants by providing a more personal introduction of yourself and your work experience that a resume is unable to. In addition, a good cover letter will not only show your relevant experience but your knowledge of the company you are applying to and the passion you have for pursuing the line of work you are choosing.
An apprenticeship cover letter serves the same purpose as its traditional counterpart. By allowing for a good first impression and introducing yourself and your experiences/qualifications, a powerful apprenticeship cover letter aims to persuade a hiring manager to process your application further and read your resume.
As is the case with any job, a good apprenticeship cover letter can drastically increase the odds you secure your apprenticeship. A strong apprenticeship cover letter will set you apart from other applicants who may have the same (if not more) experience than you.
Although an apprenticeship cover letter may not be specifically required as part of many applications, it is generally still a good idea to submit one.
As we mentioned earlier, cover letters give you the space to elaborate on aspects of your resume (like your working and educational experience) to show that you are the most suitable candidate for the apprenticeship you are applying to. An apprenticeship cover letter makes you stand out against other applicants who did not put in the effort to write one and shows hiring managers that you have a genuine interest in the position.
Writing your first apprenticeship cover letter can prove to be a real challenge. However, take it as an opportunity to reflect on your skills and how they can be applied to your future career! This step-by-step guide to each apprenticeship cover letter section will help make this process much easier!
The first step in writing the cover letter for your apprenticeship is understanding what you are getting yourself into.
Your apprenticeship cover letter should revolve around how you and your employer can mutually benefit from each other, so understanding your employer’s objectives is a necessary step. Conduct some research into the requirements of the position you want, the company you are applying to, and the overall demands of the industry.
For example, if you are writing a cover letter for an electrician’s apprentice you would first consider the skills and prior knowledge that is necessary to effectively learn from the apprenticeship opportunity. Then, after researching more about the company you wish to apply to as well as the overall industry demand for electricians, you can write your apprenticeship cover letter based on these findings.
Now that you have ascertained the goals of the company and how you can fit into the workspace, construct your apprenticeship cover letter in a way that shows your employer that you are both knowledgeable of the company itself as well as the demands of the job. When reading your apprenticeship cover letter, your employer will be more inclined to form a good impression of you if they can see that you already understand exactly how you can contribute to their company or business.
For instance, say you are preparing to write a cover letter for an electrical engineering apprenticeship at Company ABC. You should research the company and the requirements that they are looking for. Employers tend to place desired qualities, qualifications, and other useful information on their job listings to attract more competitive applicants. Take what you learn from this to draft your apprenticeship cover letter.
In the first paragraph of an apprenticeship cover letter, introduce yourself and outline your motivation for applying. Also, ensure you mention how the apprenticeship will benefit you as well as your employer.
Consider this excerpt from a cover letter for a plumbing apprenticeship:
I am writing to express my interest in taking on an apprenticeship at XYZ Plumbing Inc. With prior educational and vocational training in the plumbing field, I am excited to kickstart my career with your company, should you decide to take me on. The hands-on experience I stand to receive by apprenticing at your reputable company will provide me with the tools I need to become a certified plumber and hopefully result in my full employment at your company.
The second section of your apprenticeship cover letter is where you sell your skill set and prove your value to the company you are applying to. Illustrate yourself through detailing:
Here is an example paragraph from a cover letter for an electrician’s apprenticeship:
My resume will reflect a year and a half of working experience with certified electricians where I was tasked with assisting in the electrical repairs of 147 homes. This experience instilled a deep appreciation for team effort and collaborative work and has allowed me to thrive in a team-based environment. I believe that my critical thinking skills and technical knowledge of electrical systems and building wiring will propel my experience apprenticing with your company.
This is the last paragraph in your apprenticeship cover letter. Close by thanking the employer/hiring manager for reading your letter and including a call to action (CTA). A CTA assures the employer that they can contact you if further clarification or supplemental information is required.
Here is an excerpt from a cover letter for a hairdressing apprenticeship to show a strong call to action in your closing paragraph:
I appreciate the time you have taken to evaluate my application. If there is any other supplemental information that I can provide, please do not hesitate to ask. I look forward to meeting face to face to further discuss the obligations and expectations that come with the hairdressing apprenticeship.
End your apprenticeship cover letter formally with an appropriate sign-off. Opt for more formal closings such as “Yours Sincerely”, “Respectfully”, or “Sincerely”, and follow with your signature and full name underneath.
For a more visual representation of an apprenticeship cover letter, here are some apprenticeship cover letter examples:
Harold Jenkins
2635 Mattson Street
Tigard, OR 97223
503-421-9479
[email protected]
July 14, 2022
Robert Solo
Manager
FixItUp Co.
Tigard, OR 97224
Dear Mr. Solo,
I am writing to express my interest in taking on an apprenticeship at your reputable company. Upon seeing your apprenticeship listing, I immediately gravitated towards it as it is perfectly aligned with my skills, qualifications, and personal developmental goals. With my experience and qualifications in the electrician field, I believe that I have developed the necessary skills to succeed in this apprenticeship and will add immediate value to your company and its growth.
As evidenced by my attached resume, I have taken the necessary electrician courses and training, and have passed the national electrician certification this year. Furthermore, I have three years of experience working with Harold Electrics where I partnered with certified electricians to rewire houses and increase home safety by 64%. This experience has lent a great hand in developing my personal and professional motivation for pursuing this career. While I have an independently motivated work ethic, I am fully capable of working in a team setting. I believe that my critical thinking skills and technical knowledge of electrical systems will propel my experience apprenticing with your company moving forward.
Thank you for evaluating my application. I look forward to meeting face to face to further discuss the obligations and expectations that come with the apprenticeship.
Respectfully,
Harold Jenkins
Leon Crawford
Student
3208 Horseshoe Lane
Norristown, PA 19403
610-329-1449
[email protected]
June 12, 2022
Alannah Miranda
Manager
Beauty Space
Norristown, PA 48075
Dear Mrs. Miranda,
I am writing this letter to express my interest in undergoing an apprenticeship with you this summer. Your reputable standing in the community as the go-to hairdresser in our city makes your business the most desirable for me to learn from. I believe that I have developed the necessary skills to appreciate the lessons learned from an apprenticeship with you, and hope to seek further employment upon its end.
In my current position as a student at Forester’s Hairdressing Academy, I have taken many courses on hair styling as well as business management and accounting. What I lack in experience, I make up for in technical knowledge gained from my classes and my years of hairdressing practice with my friends and family. I believe that my technical skill and my unending willingness to learn in a practical environment will allow me to proactively learn from this apprenticeship experience with you and your business.
I believe that I am a fast learner and can apply what I learn quickly. As evidenced by my resume, my track record of consistently high grades and extensive extracurricular involvement lend a hand to my strong position as a candidate for this apprenticeship. I believe that my interpersonal communication and detail-focused personality will both support and contribute to your business’ development.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I am happy to supply further information regarding my qualifications and experience, should they be required. I look forward to meeting face to face to discuss this opportunity soon.
Sincerely,
Leon Crawford
Now that you have seen a few apprenticeship cover letter examples, use this template as a guideline for constructing your own apprenticeship cover letter!
[Your name]
[Your job title]
[Address]
[Phone number]
[E-mail address]
[Date]
[Name of Employer]
[Employer’s position]
[Company name]
[Company address]
Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs.][Hiring Managers Name]:
I am writing to express my interest to apply for an apprentice position at [name of company]. I believe that your company is [statement of motivation], and I believe that my apprenticeship, given my skills and qualifications, will add immediate value to [name of company]’s developmental objectives and continued success.
In my current position as [current job title], my [technical skill] and [transferable skill] have provided me with the necessary background to excel in this apprenticeship. I believe that, aside from my professional qualifications, my proven [skill] has aided me in my professional and personal development. My knowledge of [technical skill(s)], alongside my [transferable skill], will aid me in meeting and exceeding my obligations as an apprentice.
Thank you for reviewing my attached resume and recommendations. If there is supplemental information that is required for you to come to a decision, I would be happy to provide them should the need arise. I appreciate your evaluation and anticipate your response.
[Complimentary Close],
[Your signature]
[Your full name]
Take your apprenticeship cover letter to the next level with these killer tips!
Cover letters for apprenticeships should follow the standard cover letter format. Keep your word count within one page, your font size professional (Times New Roman is best), and one-inch margins around the page.
Take the time to ensure that your cover letter for your apprenticeship checks out on grammar and punctuation. Employers will pick up on small mistakes as a reflection of your work ethic, so pay extra attention!
While adding experience to your apprenticeship cover letter is great, irrelevant experience can distract the employer from seeing your true potential. It may also make your cover letter come across as over-embellished. Examples of irrelevant information that are unsuitable to be included in an apprenticeship cover letter can include:
The most important aspect of your apprenticeship cover letter should be displaying a strong willingness to learn from the experience. In your letter, be genuine and clearly explain how the apprenticeship will benefit you. If you are writing a cover letter for an apprenticeship with no experience, you should pay extra attention to this tip!
A fundamental aspect of your future career is a deep level of teamwork and partnership. The nature of trade work is that you will oftentimes be working with other people on the same project. If you are writing a cover letter for an apprenticeship with no experience then focusing on your technical knowledge and how you can integrate into a team will show employers that you will make a great fit for their business!
🔑 Key Takeaways
And there you have it! You are on your way to crafting a powerful apprenticeship cover letter and landing your dream job! Remember to keep the following in mind:
Whether it be a cover letter for a carpenter apprenticeship or a cover letter for a mechanic’s apprentice, an apprenticeship cover letter is a surefire way to boost your apprenticeship application. If you stick to the proper apprenticeship cover letter format and remember the important tips, you will be one step closer to landing your dream job! Good luck!
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--- Originally written by Alexander Coye ---
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