Apprentice application process

To become a BEST apprentice you will need to complete our online application form. Before you do, please complete our quick, suitability for industry, questionnaire and make sure you meet the standard requirements below:

Craft apprentices:

• Two GCSE Grades A*-C in Maths, English Language or Literature, plus one GCSE Grade A*-D in a Science or Design and Technology subject or equivalent e.g. GNVQ Intermediate.

Student engineers/technicians:

• FOUR GCSE Grades A*-C in Maths, English Language or Literature, plus a Science subject and one other GCSE subject or equivalent e.g. GNVQ Intermediate.

In Scotland, applicants should have, or expect to achieve:

• Standard Grades 1 - 4 in maths, English, one science and a technical subject
• Or equivalent to GCSE or GNVQ intermediate, such as 14 - 19 diploma

Evidence of GCSE, GNVQ Intermediate or Standard Grades, results or predicted grades MUST be provided. 

Even if you have evidence of GCSE or GNVQ Intermediate results, you are still required to sit the Basic Skills Tests, which consist of the Basic Skills Agency literacy and numeracy paper and the BEST numeracy papers. Sample BEST numeracy papers can be downloaded below:

• ENGLISH & WELSH SAMPLE ASSESSMENT PAPER 1 QUESTIONS PDF
• ENGLISH & WELSH SAMPLE ASSESSMENT PAPER 1 ANSWERS PDF
• SCOTISH SAMPLE ASSESSMENT PAPER QUESTIONS WORD DOC
• SCOTISH SAMPLE ASSESSMENT PAPER ANSWERS WORD DOC

Apprenticeship vacancies are subject to availability, even If you achieve the required results on these papers.  If successful, candidates will be encouraged to find a local employer to support their apprenticeship. BEST will circulate details of candidates to employers and encourage them to take on an apprentice. You may be invited for interview if requested by an employer.

Candidates approaching local employers for an apprenticeship placement should provide a suitable curriculum vitae (CV) and a letter of application. The links below are templates you may wish to base these on.

Draft CV - word document

Draft CV - PDF version

Draft letter - word document

Draft letter - PDF document

Click here to apply