Which apprenticeship suits me?

The apprenticeship that suits you depends on your strengths, personality and interests — not just your grades. Shine's free 15-minute UK quiz matches you to specific live apprenticeships across engineering, construction, manufacturing, digital, healthcare and more, at the level (2, 3, Higher or degree) that fits your current qualifications.

How do I choose the right apprenticeship?

Pick one based on three things: a sector that matches your strengths and interests, a level that matches your current qualifications (GCSEs → Level 2/3; A-levels → Level 4–6/degree), and an employer within a realistic commute. Shine filters live UK apprenticeships on exactly those criteria so your shortlist is realistic to apply to.

How do I find an apprenticeship near me?

Sign up to Shine for free, share your postcode and travel distance, take the 15-minute quiz, and you'll see live UK apprenticeships in your area matched to your strengths. Vacancies are updated daily across engineering, construction, manufacturing, digital, healthcare and business.

How do I apply for an apprenticeship?

1) Take the free quiz so we know your strengths. 2) Browse matched live UK apprenticeships in your area. 3) Apply through Shine in a few minutes — no CV needed up front. Most employers reply within 2 weeks. You can apply to as many as you like.

How do I get an apprenticeship with no experience?

Most Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships are built for people with no work experience — that's the point. Employers hire on attitude, reliability and interest in the sector. Shine's quiz surfaces apprenticeships where your strengths match the role, so you only apply where you have a realistic shot.

Should I do an apprenticeship or go to university?

Both are valid UK routes. Apprenticeships pay you a wage from day one, your employer pays for the training, and you finish debt-free with real experience — degree apprenticeships even give you a bachelor's or master's. University suits careers that require a degree-first route (e.g. medicine, law). Shine's quiz shows which fits your strengths and target career.

Which engineering apprenticeship is right for me?

Engineering apprenticeships split mainly into mechanical, electrical, electronic, civil, manufacturing and software. The right one depends on whether you prefer hands-on machines (mechanical/manufacturing), wiring and power (electrical), structures (civil) or code (software). Shine's free quiz matches you to specific live engineering apprenticeships in your area.

Which construction apprenticeship should I do?

Construction apprenticeships include trades (bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, plastering, painting), site roles (groundworker, plant operator), and professional routes (site management, quantity surveying, civil engineering). Pick based on whether you prefer trade craft, site delivery or planning. Shine matches you to live UK construction apprenticeships at your level.

What career is right for me?

The right career is one that uses your strengths, fits how you want to live, and is actively hiring near you. Shine asks about your strengths, personality, interests and practical needs (location, hours, transport), then shortlists UK careers and the apprenticeships that lead to them — free, for anyone aged 16+.

Is the Shine quiz really free?

Yes — 100% free for young people in the UK, forever. No fees, no subscription, no credit card. Shine is funded by UK employers who use it to find pre-screened young talent in skills-short industries.

How long does the quiz take?

Most people finish in under 15 minutes. You can save your progress and come back any time.

What do I get at the end of the quiz?

A personalised career plan: careers matched to your strengths, live local apprenticeships and school leaver jobs you can apply to, free training courses, and the university routes that fit — all in one place.

Free · Under 15 minutes

Free career quiz

What job actually suits you? Shine's career quiz uses your strengths and interests — not your grades alone — to surface apprenticeships, jobs, training and university routes that fit.

Start the quiz Browse opportunities

No grades needed
Personalised shortlist

The sectors we specialise in

STEM, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Construction

Building businesses with new talent

STEM

Engineering, science, medical, tech, software, lab tech, electrical, mechatronics.

Young person on a farm holding a tablet next to an agronomist with rolling fields behind.

Agriculture

Farming, agri-tech, food production, land management.

Manufacturing

Production, CNC, quality, maintenance, warehousing.

Construction

Trades, site, building services, civils, surveying.

Hiring in these sectors? See live roles

How it works

Step 1

Tell us about you

A short questionnaire learns what you're good at and what you enjoy.

Step 2

See careers that fit

We surface careers matched to your strengths — every route in.

Step 3

Take your next step

Apply to live local apprenticeships and jobs, or sign up to a free course.

Common questions about choosing an apprenticeship

Plain-English answers to the questions most UK young people (and parents) ask before picking an apprenticeship.

Which apprenticeship suits me?: The apprenticeship that suits you depends on your strengths, personality and interests — not just your grades. Shine's free 15-minute UK quiz matches you to specific live apprenticeships across engineering, construction, manufacturing, digital, healthcare and more, at the level (2, 3, Higher or degree) that fits your current qualifications.
How do I choose the right apprenticeship?: Pick one based on three things: a sector that matches your strengths and interests, a level that matches your current qualifications (GCSEs → Level 2/3; A-levels → Level 4–6/degree), and an employer within a realistic commute. Shine filters live UK apprenticeships on exactly those criteria so your shortlist is realistic to apply to.
How do I find an apprenticeship near me?: Sign up to Shine for free, share your postcode and travel distance, take the 15-minute quiz, and you'll see live UK apprenticeships in your area matched to your strengths. Vacancies are updated daily across engineering, construction, manufacturing, digital, healthcare and business.
How do I apply for an apprenticeship?: 1) Take the free quiz so we know your strengths. 2) Browse matched live UK apprenticeships in your area. 3) Apply through Shine in a few minutes — no CV needed up front. Most employers reply within 2 weeks. You can apply to as many as you like.
How do I get an apprenticeship with no experience?: Most Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships are built for people with no work experience — that's the point. Employers hire on attitude, reliability and interest in the sector. Shine's quiz surfaces apprenticeships where your strengths match the role, so you only apply where you have a realistic shot.
Should I do an apprenticeship or go to university?: Both are valid UK routes. Apprenticeships pay you a wage from day one, your employer pays for the training, and you finish debt-free with real experience — degree apprenticeships even give you a bachelor's or master's. University suits careers that require a degree-first route (e.g. medicine, law). Shine's quiz shows which fits your strengths and target career.
Which engineering apprenticeship is right for me?: Engineering apprenticeships split mainly into mechanical, electrical, electronic, civil, manufacturing and software. The right one depends on whether you prefer hands-on machines (mechanical/manufacturing), wiring and power (electrical), structures (civil) or code (software). Shine's free quiz matches you to specific live engineering apprenticeships in your area.
Which construction apprenticeship should I do?: Construction apprenticeships include trades (bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, plastering, painting), site roles (groundworker, plant operator), and professional routes (site management, quantity surveying, civil engineering). Pick based on whether you prefer trade craft, site delivery or planning. Shine matches you to live UK construction apprenticeships at your level.
What career is right for me?: The right career is one that uses your strengths, fits how you want to live, and is actively hiring near you. Shine asks about your strengths, personality, interests and practical needs (location, hours, transport), then shortlists UK careers and the apprenticeships that lead to them — free, for anyone aged 16+.
Is the Shine quiz really free?: Yes — 100% free for young people in the UK, forever. No fees, no subscription, no credit card. Shine is funded by UK employers who use it to find pre-screened young talent in skills-short industries.
How long does the quiz take?: Most people finish in under 15 minutes. You can save your progress and come back any time.
What do I get at the end of the quiz?: A personalised career plan: careers matched to your strengths, live local apprenticeships and school leaver jobs you can apply to, free training courses, and the university routes that fit — all in one place.

Ready to find your fit?

Free, under 15 minutes, no commitment. You'll get a personalised shortlist of local opportunities at the end.

Take the free career quiz