Apprentice CV in Mozambique

A youth apprentice CV shows what you studied, the courses you completed, and your willingness to learn — placing your education at the top, as that is what supports your application. An apprenticeship program hires for education and attitude, not years of experience.

This article is part of the Inademy Guide, where you will find practical answers for every stage of your job search in Mozambique.

The short answer

An apprentice CV is concise and honest: the profile states who you are and that you are looking for an apprenticeship opportunity; education comes right next; skills, courses, and activities round out the page. One page, in PDF format, without unnecessary personal information.

• Education at the top — it is your main asset in an apprenticeship application.
• Practical skills — IT, languages, tools, whatever you already know how to use.
• Do not fake experience — an honest and well-organized CV is worth far more than a fabricated story.
• One page, in PDF format — as recommended by a Mozambican job portal (15-09-2025): at most one to two pages, and in PDF format.
• No spelling or grammar errors — language errors are one of the main reasons for elimination during initial screening, as noted by a Mozambican job portal (28-10-2025).

What is an apprenticeship program

An apprenticeship program combines two things: a company where you learn hands-on and a training institution where you study the theory. The apprentice spends some time working and some time studying, following the program's pace—and at the end comes away with training, experience, and, in some programs, a job contract.

In Mozambique, these programs exist in sectors such as hospitality, industry, commerce, construction, and energy—and some companies hire young trainees through a simpler process when they need someone to learn the role.

This matters to you for a simple reason: the entry point for many apprenticeship programs is the CV. Nobody asks you for years of experience—they look for your education, availability, and commitment. That is exactly what an apprentice CV needs to show.

How to structure an apprentice CV

An apprentice CV follows the order of what you do best:

1. Name and contact details — mobile phone and professional email, written carefully.
2. Profile summary — two or three lines about who you are, what you studied, and what program you are looking for. No excuses and no drama.
3. Education — the level you completed or are currently attending, the institution, and the year. If in progress, say "in progress" — it's no shame, it's a fact.
4. Skills — IT, Word and Excel, languages, driving licence, tools and machinery you have used.
5. Courses and training — short courses, professional training, certifications: they are proof that you learn fast.
6. Activities — internships, volunteering, temporary jobs, family business, youth groups. Anything that shows responsibility counts.

An example profile for someone applying to an apprenticeship program:

Profile summary: "Young person with completed 12th grade and an office IT course. Looking for an apprenticeship opportunity in customer service or logistics. Full-time availability."

And this is how you present a short course, without turning it into a novel:

Office IT course — Professional Training Centre (2025). "Word, Excel, document organization and customer service. 120 hours, successfully completed."

What the program will look for in your CV

Recruiters selecting apprentices look for four things:

• Relevant background. If the program is in hospitality, relevant coursework or related experience matters; if it is in construction, technical training must be included.
• Availability. Full-time schedule, mobility to the program location. Write the city and province where you live.
• Basic skills. Languages, IT, simple tools. You do not need to know everything — you need to show what you know.
• Attitude and honesty. A clean CV, without exaggeration, conveys more than ten embellished lines. MozYouth, a Mozambican youth organization, listed "exaggerating or lying" among common mistakes in youth CVs (17-07-2024).

And there is what should not appear: BI number, NUIT, place of birth, and parents' names. A Mozambican job portal (15-09-2025) points out unnecessary personal information as a common mistake.

And a Mozambican CV writing guide (2026) is clear: the BI number and NUIT belong to the contract stage. The law aligns: Article 8.º of Law 13/2023 protects your personal data during hiring.

The mistakes that eliminate an apprentice CV

• Inventing experience you do not have. The lie comes out in the very first conversation with the trainer or employer — and costs you the trust of someone who was ready to invest in you.
• A three-page CV. An apprenticeship programme does not need a biography. One page is enough: education, skills, courses, activities. And if you want the details of each mistake along with sources, the article on mistakes that eliminate your CV goes into more depth.
• Sending the exact same CV to everyone. Tailor your profile to the programme: if it is in hospitality, highlight your customer service course or experience. MozYouth listed generic CVs — using the same one for every role — among common mistakes in youth applications (17-07-2024).
• Spelling and grammar errors. Poor agreement or a misspelled name leads to instant rejection in many Mozambican screening processes. Read your CV out loud before sending it, and ask someone else to read it too.

How Inademy helps you

At Inademy, you create your profile on your phone with your background and skills, and your CV is linked to your profile. When job openings and learning opportunities matching your profile appear, you receive updates via WhatsApp and email — without having to search across multiple websites every day.

View current job openings on Inademy and create your free profile. If you are in Maputo, start with jobs in Maputo; learning opportunities appear there just like any other opening.

Also read

• How to Make a CV on a Mobile Phone in Mozambique (Step by Step)
• Job application letter for vacancies in Mozambique

From apprentice to professional: the progression

A young apprentice enters through apprenticeship programs that combine theoretical training and on-the-job practice. It is this combination that prepares them for the job market.

There are openings in electrical work, welding, IT, garment making, and agricultural trades. Each has its own progression, from apprentice to technician and then to team manager.

Formal progression depends on the certifications earned at the end of each phase. Those who accumulate them move up the ranks faster.

The most valued programs in Mozambique end with a recognized certification and a paid internship that counts on your CV.

Those who enter through a good program with certification gain progression faster than those who improvise on the job. That is the difference that matters.

Keep every certificate, every internship hour, and every piece made. It is this record that transforms an apprentice into a professional with a proven track record.

In practice, combine learning with initiative: apply for trade assistant roles, and accumulate practical hours. It is this practice that opens the door to the job.

There are also dual-qualification programs where young people train in both a trade and technical skills at the same time. This dual qualification is what increases their market value.

Anyone who combines a trade with a certification and a clean professional attitude has the most solid entry into the job market.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience to apply for an apprenticeship program?

No. Apprenticeship programs exist specifically for people who are starting out. What they look for is relevant education, availability, and commitment — and that is what your CV shows.

What do I write on my CV if I only have 12th grade?

Include 12th grade, the courses you took (computing, languages, professional training), what you know how to do, and the activities you participated in. A well-organized CV with 12th grade makes a much better impression than a CV filled with nothing.

How many pages should an apprentice's CV be?

One. You do not have years of experience to fill more — and you do not need to. A single page highlighting your education, skills, and activities is the ideal format for an apprenticeship application.

Does an apprenticeship program pay a salary?

In several programs, there is a stipend or allowance, which varies depending on the program, sector, and organization — check each job posting to confirm. It is a training allowance, not a contracted worker's salary, but it is certified experience that can lead to a contract one day.

To give you an idea of reference values, the article on minimum wages by sector in 2026 helps you understand the baseline for each area.

Can an apprenticeship program turn into an employment contract?

It can happen — but it is not automatic. Some programs end with a contract, others do not; what decides it is your performance from the first day to the last. That is why an apprenticeship application is like any other job application: always give your best.

Should I write that I am an apprentice on my CV?

There is no need to write "apprentice" as a label. Your CV shows your education, courses, and activities — and your profile indicates that you are looking for an apprenticeship opportunity. It is clear, honest, and professional.

An apprenticeship program is the shortest path for anyone starting out — and your CV is your key. If you want the whole process done right, the complete guide on how to create a CV in Mozambique has the 8 steps and what the law says. Then apply — and Inademy will send you new job openings via WhatsApp and email.

Official source: Law No. 13/2023 (Labour Law) is available as a PDF on the website of Mozambique's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo): official text (PDF).