Apprenticeship Week: How to stand out in your apprenticeship application

National Apprenticeship Week is a great time to consider how an apprenticeship could help you on the path to the career you’ve always wanted. At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we’ve welcomed several apprentices since we first embarked on apprenticeships in 2022. At BBK, we invest in the development of our staff and support their career growth. We recognise the important role that apprentices play in offering an alternative route to qualification and developing future talent within the legal profession.

We will be accepting applications for the next apprenticeship programme during February. If you’re thinking of applying for an apprenticeship with us, here are some simple tips to help you put together an application that showcases your experience and demonstrates how BBK could be a good fit for you.

Your CV: Keep it clear and accurate

We don’t expect apprentices to include a long list of legal experience; very few do. What matters more is showing us what you’ve been involved in so far and what skills you’ve picked up along the way.

You might include examples of part-time work or volunteering, a school or college project that you’re proud of, activities outside of education, such as sports, clubs or caring responsibilities. It’s also helpful to describe the skills you’ve developed, like communication, teamwork or organisation. Be specific when you can – when you highlight a skill, talk about a moment when you used it.

Keep your CV tidy, easy to follow and free from errors. Think of it as your ‘story so far’.

At BBK, we’re committed to building a team that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We challenge long-standing norms about who belongs in a law firm. Your background or personal experiences have shaped who you are, please share some of this with us so we also understand why you are applying to BBK. We value individuality, and we encourage our apprentices to bring their whole selves to work. We’re not looking for perfection or polished experience, just genuine people with the right attitude and the desire to be at BBK.

Your Cover Letter: Why apply to BBK for an  apprenticeship?

Your cover letter is where we get a sense of you as a person. You don’t need big words or formal language, just explain what motivates you. We are looking to find out what specifically interests you about BBK and the work we do.

Ultimately, we are looking to understand your journey so far and add a little context to your CV. Show that you’ve spent some time getting to know the firm. Even a couple of thoughtful sentences can make your application feel much more personal.

For example:

• Why have you chosen a specialist PI or Clinical Negligence firm for an apprenticeship?
• What experiences have shaped your interest in starting a career in law?
• What do you hope to learn or achieve?
• Why is the apprenticeship route the most suitable for you?

Most importantly, write in your own voice. We want to understand who you are, not who you think we want you to be. You don’t need dramatic stories; everyday examples are often the most relatable.

Top tips for your application

To bring everything together, here’s what we’d recommend:

• Learn a little about BBK before you apply
• Be clear about why you want the apprenticeship
• Tailor your application to the role
• Use examples from school, work, or life
• Check your spelling and grammar
• Most importantly: be yourself

Apprenticeships are all about opportunity. They give you the chance to learn, gain confidence and start a meaningful career. During Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate the apprentices who are already making a difference at BBK- and those who will join us in the future. We hire exceptional individuals with the passion to work with those who have suffered a serious injury.

If you’re thinking about applying, we’d love to hear from you! Applications for our 2026 Apprenticeship are now open.