WHAT’S the most important attribute you need to succeed at work? Being a team player? Great at admin? Or a willingness to learn?
The skills gap is the biggest challenge facing the UK right with the Government reporting a quarter of all vacancies aren’t being filled due to skills shortages.
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One in seven employers say some of their employees are under-skilled for their roles, so training and upskilling is the No1 step to boost your career.
Taking a trainee job is normal at the start of your working life, but it’s becoming increasingly common as older workers switch sectors and jobs more often.
With 56,000 trainee roles available nationwide this week, there’s a job to suit you whatever your career aspirations.
And it doesn’t mean you’ll be paid minimum wage. In fact, the average trainee salary is a health £28,000.
So if you’re willing to put in the work, here’s how to get on track with a trainee role.
1. Choose your sector
Whether you’re a first jobber or changing you career, the very first move is deciding which sector you want to work in.
Make a list of your personal strengths and weaknesses, plus jobs you’re interested in and see where they match up.
You can find help and support at nationalcareers.service.gov.uk.
2. Look into your options
Trainee roles come in lots of different guises.
There are apprenticeships, on the job training, college courses with work experience and even part-time positions for people with other commitments.
Which is the best fit for your life stage?
3. Tailor Your CV
Recruiters hiring for a trainee vacancy won’t expect you to have lots of experience, but they will expect you to have researched the role and know what it entails.
If you have transferrable skills from another job, voluntary work or a college course then adapt your CV to show how these best fit with the job you want.
4. Ask for work experience
Work experience isn’t just for school pupils – you can undertake it at any age.
Before you apply for a trainee job, test it out and get a better insight into what the day-to-day work involves.
5. Build up a network
Set up a LinkedIn profile and start showcasing yourself on the site.
Connect in with recruiters, firms and other people working in your chosen area.
Follow industry leaders and top speakers to ensure you hear about trainee jobs as soon as they go live.
So now you’re trained on how to get a job, here are the Sun Jobs picks of the week.
Trainee Chef, Sodexo, Larkhill
Quick march into this top trainee role with our Armed Forces.
The Job: Sodexo is looking for a Trainee Chef to work in Larkhill Garrison, providing food for its armed forces personnel.
What You’ll Do: You’ll plan all operations and training for the production team; assist in the preparation of food and work with the other chefs to ensure service runs smoothly and efficiently.
You’ll also work with the kitchen team to train, guide and develop menu items and produce and present food to the highest standard.
You’ll Need: Full training will be provided, along with a full protective uniform.
Apply Now: See further details of this Trainee Chef role, along with other opportunities at Sodexo, here.
Trainee Bus Driver, Stagecoach, London
Shift your career up a gear as a trainee bus driver.
The Job: Stagecoach is hiring a Trainee Bus Driver to keep London’s people moving, with your safety and support paramount, and at the heart of the business.
What You’ll Do: You’ll be one of our great team of bus drivers who transport our fantastic customers safely and comfortably every day to healthcare and employment, shopping and leisure, or to friends and family.
You’ll Need: You’ll get paid to train and you will be earning from day one, plus all of your training costs, worth around £4,000, will be taken care of.
Apply Now: For more on this Trainee Bus Driver role, and more vacancies at Stagecoach, click here.
Trainee Chef, Pizza Express, St. John’s Wood
Grab a slice of the action with this popular pizza chain.
The Job: Pizza Express is searching for a Trainee Chef to join the fun, family kitchen team in its St. John’s Wood restaurant.
What You’ll Do: The Trainee Chef will be given full training to develop themselves and discover talents they didn’t even know they had as they learn how to chop, slice, grate and whip up delicious pizzas and more.
You’ll Need: The ideal candidate will have a passion for food, an enthusiasm for customer service and hospitality and a positive, can-do spirit.
Apply Now: Fill out your application for this Trainee Chef role here, and check out further vacancies with Pizza Express.
Discover thousands of open vacancies for jobs all across the UK now on The Sun Job Board.
