From college careers events to building confidence: How E.ON Apprentice, Arjun, is opening doors for others

Discovering apprenticeships can be a turning point, but knowing how to navigate the application process is often where young people feel least confident. For me, that journey started with a single careers event and has grown into a passion for helping others see their own potential.

Before joining E.ON as a first year degree apprentice, I first discovered apprenticeships through a careers event at my college. That moment sparked something for me. From there, I began thinking seriously about the application process and how I could really stand out.

I made sure to attend every careers event available to me, including both internal events hosted by my college and external opportunities such as young professional networking sessions. These experiences helped me understand what employers were looking for and gave me the chance to meet people already working in industry, including current and aspiring apprentices.

One of the most valuable things I found along the way was building a community with other students. Sharing experiences, tips and advice helped all of us learn from one another and feel less alone in what can be a daunting process. That sense of collaboration made a real difference.

Getting started

When it came to applying, I was fortunate to receive a lot of support from my college. Tutors helped me prepare for interviews and online assessments, and there were plenty of online resources available to practise and build confidence. I was able to share interview recordings with teachers and other students and receive honest, constructive feedback, which was incredibly valuable.

However, one area I found particularly difficult to prepare for was assessment centres. This is something many students struggle with – not because they lack ability, but because they don’t feel confident enough to step into an unfamiliar environment, especially at large organisations or well-known companies.

That experience stayed with me. Once I became an apprentice, I started thinking about how I could help students gain the kind of experience I felt I’d missed. I wanted to give them a safe, supportive space to practise and realise they were more capable than they thought.

At a college outreach event, I decided to run a mock assessment centre. I created a clear structure, with a PowerPoint presentation, a mission brief and set tasks that mirrored what students might experience in a real assessment centre. Afterwards, I gave them feedback and encouraged them to reflect on their performance.
The impact was immediate. Without learning any new technical skills, students left feeling more confident simply because they’d experienced the process first-hand in an environment that felt comfortable and familiar. That confidence made them far more willing to attend real assessment centres and believe in themselves.

Turning ideas into action

This idea later developed into what we called the “Mock Assessment Centre”. Working with another apprentice, I brainstormed ways to make the experience engaging and interactive. We wanted the format to be modular and adaptable, so it could be delivered at any college and adjusted for different class sizes, abilities and time constraints.

For our first session, we kept things simple. We focused on three core objectives: working well together, communicating clearly, and enjoying the experience. Students were split into small groups and given a fundraising challenge for their college. They pitched ideas, selected one as a team, and planned the logistics together, from footfall around campus to collaboration with other students.

While the task itself was straightforward, it allowed us to observe the skills employers really look for at assessment centres: teamwork, communication, problem-solving and respectful debate. These are often developed outside the classroom, through part-time jobs, sports teams, music, or leadership roles in clubs, but many students don’t recognise them as valuable.

Not all colleges have the resources to run mock assessment centres, which makes it even more important to help students recognise the skills they already have. Encouraging young people to see themselves differently, and to understand the relevance of their experiences, can be a powerful step in building confidence.

The art of raising awareness

Every student is different, and everyone needs support in different ways. But by raising awareness of individual strengths and providing opportunities to practise in a safe environment, we can make the application process feel more accessible.

For me, being an apprentice at E.ON isn’t just about learning on the job – it’s about using that experience to empower others. Confidence can be the difference between someone applying or holding back, and sometimes all it takes is the chance to try.