Apprenticeship Cover Letter Example

As the demand for skilled workers continues to grow, apprenticeships offer a practical and hands-on approach to learning and developing expertise in a chosen field. With over 150,000 trainees and apprentices in New Zealand, embarking on an apprenticeship journey is one of the most rewarding ways to gain valuable skills, knowledge, and experience in a wide range of industries, but before you get started, you’ll need an impressive apprenticeship cover letter. 

In this cover letter guide, we'll help you craft an apprenticeship cover letter that showcases your skills and experience effectively, making you a standout candidate for the position.

Apprenticeship full text-only cover letter example

Sections of an apprenticeship cover letter

Before you begin, it is crucial to understand how to format your cover letter. Be sure to include the following sections: 

1. Header: Set up the header section of your cover letter by including the date and important contact details, such as your email and phone number, at the top of the page.
2. Greeting: Opt for a warm and friendly greeting, using their name if known, to help create a positive first impression.
3. Introduction: Begin your cover letter with an enthusiastic introduction that highlights your passion for pursuing an apprenticeship in your chosen industry. Briefly touch on any relevant skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate for the position.
4. Body Paragraphs: Showcase your unique talents, accomplishments, and professional background as an apprentice. Dive deeper into your skills and qualifications, highlighting why you’re an ideal fit for the role.
5. Conclusion: Wrap up your cover letter by summarising your key strengths and achievements as an apprentice, and leave the employer with a compelling call-to-action statement demonstrating your eagerness to contribute to their team.
6. Signature: End your apprenticeship cover letter with a polite farewell followed by your full name.

When preparing a cover letter for your apprenticeship, we recommend keeping your cover letter concise and limited to one page. This allows you to effectively showcase your qualifications and skills for the position without overwhelming the reader with excessive information.

For additional tips and suggestions on crafting a compelling apprenticeship cover letter, check out our guide on writing a cover letter. 

Introduction of an apprenticeship cover letter: 

The introduction of your apprenticeship cover letter should reflect your professional identity and outline your specific skills and qualifications as an apprentice. Crafting an engaging and impactful introduction is crucial to capturing the attention of potential mentors, training programs, and employers in your industry. 

Before you begin, consider what makes you stand out as an apprentice and how your unique skills, experiences, and passion for learning can contribute to your success in the apprenticeship program. 

Highlighting these strengths in your cover letter introduction will help you make a memorable impression on potential mentors and employers. It’s also important to carefully review apprenticeship requirements to align your skills with the employer's expectations. 

Apprenticeship cover letter body

The basic template you should follow for your apprenticeship cover letter is as follows: 

• Outline any relevant experience you've had in hands-on roles, especially roles relevant to your industry
• Highlight any skills that demonstrate attention to detail and dedication to the craft
• Discuss how you've ensured customer satisfaction, if applicable, and what it taught you about interacting with clients or colleagues
• Close your cover letter with an effective call to action statement

First body paragraph: Your suitability for the role (skills & experience) 

When applying for an apprenticeship, it’s important to highlight any prior experience in related fields that demonstrate your skills and dedication to learning. In your body paragraphs, we recommend the following: 

1. Highlight your training: Whether you have completed formal programs or gained hands-on experience through practical workshops, use the body paragraphs to illustrate the skills you have honed during your training.
2. Expand upon your interpersonal skills: Share any relevant interpersonal skills you have, such as your communication and problem-solving abilities, to demonstrate how these traits can contribute to your role as an apprentice.
3. Mention any technical or hard skills you possess: If you have expertise in specific areas, such as using specialised tools or software programs, be sure to describe how your proficiency in these technical skills can make you a valuable asset to the team.

Second body paragraph(s): Alignment with the organisation

As an apprentice, it's crucial to conduct thorough research on the values and goals of the company you're applying to. For instance, if you're an electrician seeking an apprenticeship with Carlton Electrical, it would be important to know their values. These include:

• Safety, and enhancing safety culture within the electrical industry
• Innovation, and finding new ways to provide the best level of service
• Integrity, and handling all aspects of client work in a professional manner

Learn how the values of the company you’re applying to align with your skills and experiences as an apprentice. Furthermore, highlight specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and discuss how your strengths, such as technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, or dedication to learning, would contribute to their success. 

Many institutions that offer apprenticeship qualifications, such as Unitec and Te Pūkenga, will offer support on how to apply to employers in your industry. 

Call to action & conclusion: An engaging ending

As you wrap up your apprenticeship cover letter, your final mission is to encourage potential employers to consider you for the interview stage. Express your enthusiasm for the apprenticeship position and your readiness to discuss your qualifications further.

End your cover letter with a professional and polite closing, such as "Yours sincerely" or "Ngā mihi nui,” followed by your full name. 

The conclusion aims to leave a good impression on employers and prompt them to schedule an interview to assess if you’re a good fit for the apprenticeship opportunity.

How to write an apprenticeship cover letter with no experience

When crafting an apprenticeship cover letter with no prior experience, we recommend focusing on the following: 

• Highlight your enthusiasm for the field, your willingness to learn, and any relevant transferable skills. Start by introducing yourself and expressing your genuine interest in embarking on an apprenticeship to gain practical knowledge and skills.
• Highlight any academic achievements, including any relevant NZQA level qualifications, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or projects that showcase your dedication, work ethic, and eagerness to learn.
• Convey your willingness to undergo training and contribute positively to the team. By portraying your passion for the industry and commitment to professional growth, you can demonstrate your potential as a valuable apprentice despite lacking prior experience.

Key takeaways

Crafting a strong cover letter is essential, particularly for apprenticeship applications where direct experience might be limited. 

Don’t forget to customise the cover letter to align with the specific industry and company, and to engage potential employers by expanding upon your relevant skills and experiences. 

With customisable cover letter templates and an impressive cover letter builder, we make securing your next apprenticeship position easy. Kickstart your career journey with cvapp.nz and start building your apprenticeship cover letter today!