Apprenticeship Application Hub

Embarking on an apprenticeship journey is an exciting opportunity to kickstart your career, and we're here to support you every step of the way. This hub is designed to help you navigate the application process with confidence by providing practical tips, insights, and guidance tailored to apprenticeship applications. Whether you're completing an online application, or getting ready for an interview or assessment, you'll find valuable advice to help you through your application journey.

Take your time to explore the tips and resources provided, and remember, this is your chance to showcase your potential and take the first step toward a fulfilling career at Ford.

Selection Process: 

Online Application

To begin your journey with Ford, the first step is to explore our available opportunities and apply for the role that best aligns with your goals. We would recommend that you only submit one application, so it's important to carefully consider your options and select the role that truly excites you.

When you're ready, complete our online application form, this will be split into two parts. Firstly, you will have to provide some basic information in order to confirm you meet the minimum requirements. Secondly, you will continue by sharing some basic information about yourself, including your motivations and relevant experience. This is your chance to showcase why you're the right fit for the program. Take the time to review our range of opportunities and ensure you meet the required qualifications for your chosen pathway.

We also want you to know that we're here to support you throughout the process. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know early on, and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs.

To get started, simply click the apply button and complete a few short eligibility questions. Be sure to include details of both your achieved and predicted qualifications. As you progress, remember to take advantage of the resources available on our Ford Employment Success Hub, including hints, tips, and opportunities to connect with our recruiters. We encourage you to use these channels to prepare thoroughly and apply with confidence.

Pre-recorded or Live Interview

As you progress to the next stage of our application process at Ford, you’ll be invited to complete a video interview. This step involves recording your responses to a series of motivational and scenario-based questions. For our Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship you will be invited to a live video interview. It's an opportunity for you to demonstrate your enthusiasm for a career with us and showcase how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for.

Don’t worry if this is new to you—just take a deep breath and approach each question with confidence. You'll be asked eight questions, and you can complete the video interview at any time during your invitation window.

To prepare effectively, consider the behaviors and skills we value. Using the STARR technique can help you structure your answers. This method involves:

• Situation: Describe the context of your example.
• Task: Explain the challenge or objective you faced.
• Actions: Outline the steps you took.
• Result: Share the outcome of your actions.
• Reflection: Reflect on what you learned and what you might do differently in the future.

This video interview is a chance to bring your application to life and give us a clearer picture of your potential. We look forward to seeing how you can contribute to our team at Ford.

Online Assessment

After you have passed your video interview for a role at Ford, the next step in the process is to complete an online assessment. This assessment is designed to test your abilities and potential. We’re interested in understanding how you tackle challenges, pursue goals, make decisions, and engage in various work behaviors.

To ensure the best experience, we recommend using a laptop or tablet, although the assessments are compatible with most mobile devices. Find a quiet, distraction-free space to complete your assessments so you can focus and provide your best responses.

To help you prepare, we encourage you to take advantage of test questions first. Familiarising yourself with these test questions can ease any nerves and help you understand what to expect. During the assessments, read each question and scenario carefully and answer honestly. We want to gain insight into your natural working style and how you approach different situations.

Confidence and clarity are key, so stay calm and trust in your abilities. We look forward to seeing how you can contribute to our team at Ford.

Assessment Centre

As you reach the final stage of our recruitment process, you'll experience our virtual assessment centre. This immersive experience is designed to bring together everything you've learned about Ford and showcase your skills in a dynamic setting. You'll engage in various individual and group exercises, including case studies that reflect the work we do and the environment you'll be part of. For Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship you will attend an in-person practical assessment. For Level 6 Apprenticeships you will attend an in-person interview, which means an interview will not be part of the assessment centre.

Preparing for Your Assessment Centre

To set yourself up for success, take time to familiarise yourself with the key behaviors and competencies we assess. Research Ford’s vision, strategy, and the specifics of the role you've applied for. Reflect on your past experiences, whether from work, education, or volunteering, and think about which examples best highlight your suitability for the role. It’s helpful to jot these down and bring them to your virtual assessment.

Ensure your technology is ready by testing your internet connection, audio, and microphone beforehand. If you encounter any issues, stay calm, simple fixes like restarting your device often solve common problems. Let us know if you need any adjustments to support your performance; requesting accommodations will not negatively impact your application. Our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible.

On the Day of Your Assessment Centre

Arrive a few minutes early to log in and settle in comfortably. If you need clarification on any questions, don’t hesitate to ask the assessor to repeat or rephrase them. Approach the assessment with enthusiasm and confidence, this is your chance to demonstrate your genuine interest in Ford and the role you've applied for.

Be prepared to ask insightful questions at the end of your interview. This is a great opportunity to ensure that Ford is the right fit for you, just as much as you are for us.

Our virtual assessment centres are designed to be engaging and enjoyable. They typically include individual analysis exercises, group exercise, scenario exercise and a competency-based interview. Do not forget STARR technique, this will be important to structure your answers.

Remember, the assessment centre is about showcasing your potential. Enjoy the experience, and by the end of it, you'll likely have gained valuable insights about both yourself and Ford. Following the assessment, we will notify you of the outcome within a few weeks, and if necessary, provide feedback to help you in future applications. If things don't go as planned, don't be discouraged, there will be opportunities to apply again.

In-Person Interview (Level 6 Apprenticeships Only)

Prepare Thoroughly:

• Familiarise yourself with the key behaviors and competencies relevant to the role.
• Research Ford’s vision, strategy, and goals, as well as the specifics of the position you’ve applied for.
• Reflect on your past experiences—whether from work, education, or volunteering—and identify examples that best showcase your skills and alignment with the role. Jot these down to organise your thoughts.

Practice the STARR Technique:

• Use the STARR (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection) method to structure your responses to competency-based questions. This approach ensures your answers are clear, concise, and impactful.

Plan Ahead:

• Dress professionally and appropriately for the role you’re applying for.
• Arrive at the interview location a few minutes early to allow time to settle in and adjust.

Stay Engaged During the Interview:

• Listen carefully to each question, and if you need clarification, don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase.
• Maintain good eye contact, use open body language, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the role and company.

Showcase Your Interest:

• Approach the interview with confidence, this is your chance to demonstrate why you’re a great fit for the role.
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. This shows genuine interest in Ford and helps you determine if the role and company are the right fit for you.

Reflect and Follow Up:

• After the interview, take time to reflect on how it went and what you’ve learned.
• Be patient as you await feedback, and remember that every interview is a valuable learning experience, even if the outcome isn’t what you hoped for.

In-Person Practical Assessment (Level 3 Apprenticeship Only)

As part of the application process, you’ll participate in a practical assessment. At Ford, many of our roles involve working with processes where following instructions is crucial. The assessment will involve a task using a piece of equipment that you are not expected to be familiar with. Your ability to carefully read and follow the provided instructions will be key to your success.

Here’s how you can set yourself up for success:

Read the Instructions Thoroughly:

• Take your time to carefully read the instructions provided before starting the task. Pay attention to every detail, as skipping even a small step could impact the outcome.

Don’t Rush or Skip Ahead:

• While it may be tempting to jump ahead, ensure you proceed step-by-step. This assessment is about accuracy and attention to detail, not speed.

Focus on Every Word:

• Ensure you understand and follow every word of the instructions. Ford’s processes often depend on precision, and this assessment is designed to evaluate how well you can adhere to these requirements.

Ask Questions When in Doubt:

• If any part of the instructions is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask your assessor for clarification. Asking questions demonstrates your willingness to learn and ensures you understand what’s expected.

Stay Calm and Focused:

• Approach the task with a calm and focused mindset. Take a moment to review your progress as you go, ensuring that each step is completed correctly before moving on to the next.

Remember, this practical assessment is not about prior knowledge but rather your ability to follow processes and work methodically. By demonstrating your attention to detail and willingness to ask for help when needed, you’ll show qualities that are highly valued at Ford.

Offer and Next Steps

Congratulations on reaching this exciting milestone! Securing an apprenticeship at Ford is a remarkable achievement, and you should be very proud. We recognise you may have several offers, but our commitment to supporting early career development makes us hopeful that you'll choose to come on board with us.

If you don't receive an offer this time, don't be discouraged. Your enthusiasm and persistence are valuable. We encourage you to seek feedback from your interview to identify areas for growth and to better prepare for future opportunities.

As you await further details and updates, make sure to check your junk folder and add our email address to your safe senders list to ensure you receive all communications.

Once you accept your offer, we will organise engagement sessions where you'll meet your future leaders and colleagues. These sessions will give you a comprehensive view of what it's like to work at Ford and allow you to connect with other apprentices. It’s a great chance to ask questions and get acquainted with your new team.

Your signed contract will formalise your agreement with Ford. Additionally, we will introduce you to other early career hires to help you build a supportive network. Connecting with peers in similar roles will ease your transition and provide a helpful support system as you start your journey with us.

We're thrilled to welcome you to Ford and look forward to supporting you as you embark on this new career chapter!

Reasonable Adjustments

It’s important to let us know if you require any additional support during your assessment. At Ford, we are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for everyone interested in joining our team. We want to ensure you have a fair chance to succeed, so please reach out to our recruitment team to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may need.

Throughout the application process, you'll have opportunities to connect with our team and share how we can best assist you. We're here to support you every step of the way. Contact details are provided below.