DISCOVERY JOURNEY
Explore Options. Make Choices. Take Action.
A WTPN–Apprenticeships West model for apprenticeship success
Discovery Journey helps young people move from apprenticeship curiosity to confident career action.
​Developed by the West of England Training Provider Network (WTPN) and Apprenticeships West, this model supports students to research, reflect, and take purposeful steps towards finding and securing the right apprenticeship. It builds on our Research-to-Action approach, proven through pilot work the WTPN has undertaken with students and colleges giving structure, confidence, and real momentum to every stage of your journey.
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Teachers and parents can use it to support students who could also use it on their own.
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As a student you could use it in classrooms, mentoring sessions, or independently one step at a time. Follow the nine steps below, or jump to where you are right now. You don’t have to follow every link on each section, they each cover most of the same ground but different users/people prefer some guides and websites over others.
4. Build on What You’ve Found
Now expand your horizons.
Explore sector guides, job families, and new industries that link to your interests. Compare where opportunities are growing and what could excite you long term.
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Tip: you may find case study video’s of the sector you like and what apprentices say about their roles on one of the sites on point 2.
8. Connect with Local Employers
not all opportunities are advertised in the same place and when you might be doing your research, timing can be tricky. You might need to be pro active and find the companies that would hire and when they would hire. Use our Discovery Prompts to explore real employers, past vacancies and practical ways to get noticed. Use AI engines such as Chat GPT or google or any web browser that is AI enabled but remember to use AI safely, don’t upload personal details like your name, address or a CV and always double check the links that the answers are drawn from, AI can make things up.
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The more specific (yet still anonymous) you are the better the results, you could start prompts with 'I am a year 12 student in South Bristol', for example
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EXAMPLE DISCOVERY PROMPTS:
1. Can you give me 10 companies in the Bristol and Bath region that have offered Level 3 Cyber Security Technician apprenticeships?
→ Follow up: Show me their careers or apprenticeship webpages.
2. Which local employers have recently recruited Level 2 or Level 3 Electrical Installation apprentices?
→ Follow up: Who provides their training, and when do they usually advertise?
3. List engineering or advanced manufacturing companies in South Gloucestershire that support apprenticeships.
→ Follow up: Which roles have they offered in the past two years?
4. Can you show me creative or digital media companies in the West of England that might offer Level 4 or 5 apprenticeships?
→ Follow up: How could I introduce myself or show interest before they next recruit?
5. Give me a step-by-step plan to prepare for and secure a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with Airbus (or another specific employer).
→ Follow up: What skills and evidence should I include in my application?
6. Who are the top local employers known for supporting apprenticeships in health, care or early years education?
→ Follow up: Can you show me their typical entry requirements and where they advertise vacancies?
Tip: Once you find an employer that interests you, look at their website’s Careers or Apprenticeships page, LinkedIn posts about training, past vacancies on Find an Apprenticeship, and and training provider websites that the employer’s partner with.
9. Get Support and Guidance
Everyone’s journey is unique, but no one has to do it alone.
Utilise support from parents, carers, brothers, sisters, schools, and training providers and celebrate each step you complete on your Discovery Journey.
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