FAQs
General information
What are the targetjobs Future Apprentice of the Year Awards?
The targetjobs Future Apprentice of the Year Awards celebrate young people who are ready to earn while they learn. Each award is backed by top employers offering money-can't-buy prizes, from exclusive work experience opportunities, 1:2:1 mentoring, career fast-tracking Insight Days, and even the potential for an apprenticeship offer. It’s all about recognising ambition, skill, and the drive to start strong. An apprenticeship is not guaranteed, but there is the opportunity for a potential offer, a brilliant accolade to add to your CV and even being a finalist comes with a huge amount of prestige and credibility with employers. We have also had 15 students getting offered apprentiiceship places across our employer partners to date!
How do I apply?
On the website, choose the award you want to apply for and hit the apply button! You will be asked to register and fill in some information about yourself. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be asked to answer no more than three essay-style questions and complete no more than three psychometric/online tests. The whole process should take less than an hour!
Why should I apply to the Future Apprentice of the Year Awards?
Every step of the application process will be beneficial to you. You will gain experience answering interview-style questions and psychometric tests, which are often used within the apprentice recruitment process. If you progress to the following stages, you will have fantastic networking opportunities with both employers and like-minded students! When competition for roles is high, opportunities like this are what set YOU apart!
What prizes are available?
The prizes vary between each award, but in general, there are several career development opportunities. These take the form of further work experience opportunities, 1:2:1 mentoring, career fast-tracking events and Insight Days, and even the potential for an apprenticeship offer.
Will I only benefit from the awards if I win?
No! As soon as you start your application, you'll begin to gain valuable experience. From practising online tests to experiencing assessment centres, these are all assessments frequently used by employers, and the practice will enable you to gain valuable insight into what the application process for an apprenticeship could look like. In addition, many of the employers provide further work experience and networking opportunities to their top candidates. In fact, we know some of the finalists from previous awards also went on to receive an apprenticeship offer!
The Top Ten finalists will also attend the awards ceremony, where you will benefit from networking opportunities and see that you'll be a winner regardless of the outcome. Many of our award partners this year also have opportunities available for their finalists, should they be successful.
About the awards
How many awards can I apply for?
You can only apply for one award each year.
What types of awards are there?
There are numerous types of awards, but they do have some defining criteria too. Make sure to read about all the awards and ensure you fit the criteria to see which one is right for you.
How do I know which award is right for me?
Take some time to thoroughly understand all the awards. Read about the award criteria, and research the award partner. This is not just about specific criteria, but what skills do you think you have, what interests do you have, and what do your future career plans currently look like? Do you know what subjects in school you enjoy, or perhaps what industry you might like to explore as a career? Make sure you feel passionate about the organisation, as this will drive your determination to succeed.
Who sets the entry criteria?
Each award partner sets the entry criteria for their award.
Eligibility
Can I apply for an award without studying a relevant subject?
Of course, unless it is stated within the entry criteria that you must be studying a certain subject.
Will studying an unusual or niche subject hinder my application?
No! We welcome applicants studying all subjects.
What does the “right to work in the UK” mean?
Due to the prizes offered by each of the award partners, unfortunately we cannot accept applications to some of the awards if you do not have the right to work in the UK. This means if you are on a student (Tier 4) visa then you unfortunately cannot apply. When considering whether you are eligible to apply, please take your current situation into account, rather than what may or may not happen in the future.
The application process
What happens after I submit my application?
Should your application be successful, we will contact you in February via email once applications have closed.
I am struggling with my application. Do you have anything that can help me?
Here are some helpful links to support you through your application:
- Read our guide to online application forms
- Familiarise yourself with the STAR technique for answering application and interview questions
- Get advice on psychometric tests
- Email the team email
- Research top employers using our organisation hubs
I'm entitled to extra time on the psychometric tests. What should I do?
Please email us stating your requirements at futureapprenticeoftheyear@targetjobs.co.uk and we will arrange this for you.
I encountered some technical issues when trying to apply. What should I do?
Please email us with as much information about the issue and, if you can, please screenshot the issue. Send us an email at futureapprenticeoftheyear@targetjobs.co.uk and we will get in touch as soon as we can.
The Grand Final
If I'm successful, when is the grand final?
If you are selected as a finalist, you will be invited to the awards ceremony in Manchester in April 2027.
What happens on the day?
The day begins with a networking drinks reception. We will offer some guidance on how you can best make use of this networking time before the event and provide some support. This will be followed by opening speeches, and a panel talk where you will get to hear from each of the partner employers attending and then a 3-course meal. This is then followed by the awards ceremony, which is hosted by a celebrit guest.
Travel expenses are covered for students and one guest (accompanying parent/guardian, or responsible adult).
Can I bring a plus one?
All finalists will be invited to bring a plus one - ideally a parent or carer over the age of 18.
If you are under 18 and wish to bring someone who is not directly responsible for you, then we will need your parent/guardians permission for them to accompany you, in their place.
My question hasn’t been answered. What should I do?
We are happy to answer any questions that you may have, so please email us at futureapprenticeoftheyear@targetjobs.co.uk.
