Nobody hires a 1st year apprentice, they usually cost you money. Unless you have an "in" with shop or know someone you'll have a hard time getting.
Best you can hope for is to get on as a tire buster, washer, general labourer, etc. They'll work you in that area for 6 months to a year and then give you the oppertunity of applying for an Apprenticeship(competeing again 6 other guys).
The AST(or HET if you want to do Heavy Duty) is really your best bet.