This blog gives you the lowdown on Auto Trader's Apprentice Academy - a program packed with real-world projects, personal growth, and everything you need to succeed.
Thinking about an apprenticeship that sets you up for success? An Apprenticeship at Auto Trader isn't just a job, it's a launchpad for your chosen career.
Since 2013, Auto Trader has been shaping future talent through our Apprenticeship Academy, welcoming new talent every year. What started in IT and Customer Services has expanded across multiple disciplines. Our goal? To give aspiring professionals a hands-on, dynamic learning experience.
Every September, we welcome a new cohort of apprentices to our Apprenticeship Academy, bringing in talented individuals from all backgrounds, whether that's straight from college, school, university, or those more experienced looking for a career change.
Why Choose Auto Trader?
An Apprenticeship at Auto Trader isn't just a job, it's a launchpad for your career.
Our apprenticeships blend real work experience with training and study, offering a unique learning experience. Unlike traditional college or university routes, being an apprentice involves more than just acquiring knowledge; you'll immediately apply what you learn in a real-world setting. You won't be just learning from textbooks, you'll be working on real projects.
We're looking for adaptable, curious, and driven individuals. No matter your background, if you're eager to learn and grow, we'll tailor the experience to you.
Group photo of our Tech 2024 cohort
Understanding Apprenticeship Levels
Auto Trader's Apprenticeships Program spans from Level 3 which is equivalent to A-Levels throught to Level 7 (master's degree) providing a structured progression aligned with your skills, experience, and career aspirations.
We've been running our Apprentice Academy for a while now, and we've refined it over the years based on feedback. Regardless of what level your apprenticeship is, many of our apprentices go on to build long-term careers with us. You'll have access to mentors, training, and plenty of opportunities to grow within the company.
As part of your apprenticeship, you'll work towards an industry recognised qualification through a structured study program with one of our trusted external training partners. Our Early Careers team carefully selects these providers to ensure you get the best learning experience.
Your training will be tailored to your chosen career path, combining vocational and academic development.
This could include:
- In-person training sessions
- Virtual webinars and meetings
- Online learning modules
The format will depend on your specific training provider and career path, but rest assured—you'll have everything you need to succeed!
What You Can Expect from Auto Trader's Apprentice Academy?
Our Apprentice Academy is designed to take you on a learning journey but with real responsibility, starting from day one. You'll have the opportunity to work on exciting projects, connect with colleagues from across the business, and receive all the support you need to grow both professionally and personally.
Here's how the journey breaks down:
The Academy Foundation: Getting Off to a Great Start
Your first two weeks will focus on laying a strong foundation, setting you up for success. You'll learn more about your actual apprenticeship. You'll take part in our Great Start workshops, meet people from different teams, and dive into all things Auto Trader. We've got loads of activities planned to help you understand everything from how we work to who our customers are. You'll also meet past apprentices or alumni to learn from their experiences.
The Academy Foundation covers key themes, like:
- Understanding Yourself and Others
- Auto Trader & Our Industry, Our History and Heritage
- Our Customers & Consumers
- Our Culture, Our Values
- Our Technology
- How We Work Together
- Individual Reflection
This foundation phase will help you feel confident and prepared as you begin your role at Auto Trader.
Getting Stuck In and Embedding
After the initial two weeks, you'll dive deeper into your specific role within Auto Trader. Whether you're in technology, marketing, finance, or another area, the next six months are all about building your expertise and getting to grips with your responsibilities. You'll be hands-on from the start, learning by doing, and becoming a key part of your team.
Role relevant training
Practical Projects: Real-World Experience
What's better than learning on the job? You'll take part in a couple of practical projects over the course of the program, giving you the chance to apply your skills in real-world situations. These projects are designed to challenge you and build your problem-solving abilities, all while giving you a deeper understanding of our business.
Some of the current projects include:
- Buy & Sell a Vehicle - Experience our core business from a customer's point of view.
- InsightOut - Get hands-on with data and customer insights.
You'll work on practical projects
Ongoing Support
You're never alone at Auto Trader. Throughout the Apprenticeship Academy, you'll have a dedicated Tech Mentor - someone who's there to guide you, help you grow, and answer any questions. Plus, our Early Careers team will regularly check in with you, offering career coaching, feedback, and advice to make sure you're getting the most out of the program.
Jason started as an apprentice and is now a Senior Developer
What happens after I complete my apprenticeship and Apprentice Academy?
The Apprentice Academy during will vary dependent on your qualification, once you've completed your apprenticeship, the support doesn't just stop. We'll continue to help you with career coaching and opportunities for growth for another year, making sure you're well prepared to take the next steps in your journey with us.
Interested? Here's How to Apply
If all this sounds exciting, and you're ready to take the next step in your career, we'd love to hear from you! Recruitment for our Apprentice Academy kicks off usually in February each year, and we plan our roles well in advance to make sure we're always bringing in the right talent for the future.
So, if you're thinking about an apprenticeship and looking for a place to grow, learn, and make an impact, visit here on our careers page and check out our latest opportunities.
We're looking forward to meeting you!