r/ApprenticeshipsUK

Just finished my GCSEs (predicted mostly 8s and 9s) and I’ll be taking Maths, Physics and Computer Science for A-level.
My goal is to get a Level 6 tech apprenticeship in two years, ideally in network engineering or a similar role. Right now I’m studying around 6 hours a day outside of school to build my skills and earn certifications.
If you were in my position, how would you spend the next two years to give yourself the best chance of getting a top apprenticeship? What should I prioritise, and what do you wish you’d done earlier?
One thing I’m worried about is that I’m not the strongest socially. I can talk to people and have friends, but I’m not very confident and I’m not great at small talk. Will that significantly affect my chances in interviews or the workplace?
I’d really appreciate any advice. Thanks!🙏

If so have you heard anything?
I had my first round motivational and compentacny based at 1th of June

I applied for UK office

I'm looking for some other opinions on this- any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I'm 18, and started an apprenticeship after my A Levels this Wednesday (1st of July) as a Trainee Estate Agent.

I really like the job and the people I work with, but I'm a bit concerned about my hours.

In the interview, they said it would be from Monday to Friday, for 8 hours a day not including breaks. This was fine with me.

They then suggested that myself and the other apprentice could alternate Saturday shifts- i.e. I worked Saturday one week and she worked the next instead of me. Saturday shifts are 6 hours not including breaks.

I assumed this meant that I'd be offered a day from Monday to Friday off.

On the job offer letter, it said that I'd be required to work a 5 day week. I assumed that I was correct in that I would get one of the days off, so that I was working the 5 days.

However, I was informed by my line manager that I'd actually have to work Monday- Saturday, only having Sunday off that week, making it a 6 day working week.

If this had been stated in the offer letter, I would've definitely asked about it and requested that I didn't work the Saturdays. And, if I knew working a 6 day week was a requirement, I probably wouldn't have accepted the offer at all.

I worked this Saturday, and there were only 2 other people in the office (there are usually around 8), and there was very little work to do. So I don't think it's incredibly important that I'm in on Saturdays.

So essentially, I'm working an alternating 40 and 46 hour week, despite this not being stated on the job offer letter. I'm also on the very minimum wage for my age, £8 an hour.

This is my first full time job, so maybe I'm just adjusting to the new and longer routine, but my parents are saying that this is too much time for too little pay.

I'd much prefer to only work Monday to Friday, and a 5 day week as originally stated, but I don't want to potentially throw away a good learning opportunity and an otherwise enjoyable job, if the hours aren't actually that bad.

Any advice would be appreciated!! :)

I want to study the course material at a college which offers the level 3 apprenticeship, but then I also have to apply to a garage, right? which one do I do first: apply to the college or the employer ? and would I be a good candidate for the job if I don’t have any car related experience (only a driver’s license), but all my GCSEs are grades 9-8, thank you !

Interested in doing a level 3 business admin apprenticeship. Ideally I would like to work in the civil service as a business admin apprentice but any other company will do. For people that are currently doing a business admin apprenticeship or have completed one:

1. Did you enjoy it? If not what did you not like about the apprenticeship?

2. Did you secure a full time role after the apprenticeship?

3. What does the general work day look like as a business admin apprentice?

I know I can use AI or Google but I just want to hear from people here about what it’s like. It would also give me an idea if this apprenticeship is the right thing for me.

A lot of people say age doesn't matter when it comes to apprenticeships but I get the impression it will in tech. Really wanting to get into this industry (even if it is looking bleak) as I'm passionate about developing software.

Hello I've been applying to various apprenticeships around my area however I don't even manage to get to the interview stage I've applied to about 8 in the last month and not heard a single reply back.I made sure that when I apply I highlight my qualifications,my skills and knowledge but I don't hear anything.

do they just get that many people applying that they just not look at all the applications or is it where im applying cause im using the gov apprenticeship website. I make sure that I answer there questions when applying an carefully highliting my skills and experiences.

Im applying for recruitment apprenticeships,hr apprenticeships,buisness administrator apprenticeships.

I start my L3 vehicle technician apprenticeship in September and apart from working in my current job (retail) and doing driving lessons I feel lost . Should I just enjoy my summer or keep myself up to speed with what I’m getting into (course / job role wise)

Hi all, looking for some career advice.

I'm a 22-year-old degree apprentice in tech and have been with the same company for 4 years, since I was 18. I'm graduating this July and currently work as a Data Scientist.

Over the past few years, I've built up experience in:

• Power BI
• SQL
• Data analysis and reporting
• Client-facing work with stakeholders
• Delivering internal and external; projects and dashboards

For the last two years, I've been on minimum wage because I was an apprentice.

Originally, about 3 years ago, I discussed a salary of 26k in July once I had graduated. More recently, due to good performance, as well as me requesting a salary review, my manager spoke to the director and they've increased the offer to £30k, which I don't know how to feel about.

I'm just unsure what to do next.

Would you:

• Accept the £30k and wait until the company's salary review in December to see what they offer then?
• Try to negotiate for around £32k now?
• Or start looking at external opportunities, given I now have 4 years' experience with Power BI, SQL, and client-facing work?

I'm based in the UK (outside London).

I'd really appreciate hearing what people in data/BI/analytics think. Is £30k a fair starting salary after finishing a degree apprenticeship, or would you expect more with 4 years at the same company?

Hi,

I will be starting a Level 4 engineering apprenticeship this September in a location outside of where I live (wont be specific due to privacy). However, I started having doubts about this apprenticeship, not being sure if it is worth it to move out, deal with rent and due this apprenticeship, and I am having doubts about if I am interested in the role or industry.

I will go and actually do the apprenticeship because maybe I am nervous and I will actually like it when I start, but say in a year, I dont like the apprenticeship at all, or the location isnt feasible anymore, is it possible to leave and switch to a different apprenticeship which I find more beneficial or something I am actually passionate about, assuming I have applied beforehand and actually got the offer? If so, is there any extra measures I need to take or anything important to know before switching?

Its also worth noting I did get 2 invitations to assessment centres to 2 big companies I was keen to work with, but had to decline as I was in the middle of an exam and I already accepted the contract with the Level 4 Apprenticeship.

I completed a level 4 project management apprenticeship in March but I still haven’t received my certificate. I’ve asked my EPAO to follow it up but they haven’t been much use. Has anyone had a similar issue? What can I do to solve it?

I’m hoping someone can point me in the right direction because I’m not really sure what my options are.

A bit about me. I did a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Electrical Engineering and got D*D*D*. After that I went to university to study Microbiology. Things were going well at first, but then COVID happened and I also lost my grandma around the same time. It completely knocked me off track. I ended up failing a year and eventually left with a Diploma of Higher Education instead of a BSc because I didn’t complete enough credits. Going back to finish it isn’t really an option, and if I’m honest, I don’t think microbiology is the career I want anymore.

A few years ago I moved to the US and decided to chase what I’d always wanted to do, which was nursing. I basically started over. I spent the last two years doing all the nursing prerequisites like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, nutrition, psychology, chemistry, and the other classes I needed while working at the same time. It was a lot of work, but I eventually got accepted into a really competitive BSc nursing program. Honestly, it felt like everything had finally paid off.

Unfortunately, my marriage has broken down, so I’ll be moving back to England. As much as I’d love to stay and continue nursing school here, it just isn’t possible anymore. It’s hard to accept because I’ve put so much time and effort into getting to this point.

I still really want to become a nurse, so I’ve been looking into nursing degree apprenticeships. From what I’ve read though, they seem incredibly competitive, and a lot of people say they’re mostly offered to people who already work in the NHS. Is that actually true, or do people from outside the NHS still have a realistic chance?

If nursing apprenticeships aren’t likely, are there any other apprenticeships that you think might suit someone with my background? I’m open to other ideas if there’s something with good long term prospects, but nursing is definitely where my heart is.

I’m also wondering whether all the healthcare classes I’ve completed in the US would count for anything when applying for jobs or courses back in the UK, even if the credits themselves don’t transfer.

I’m 28 now and it feels like I’ve had to start over more than once. I just want to make the right decision this time.
I’d really appreciate any advice.

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping for some advice from people who have completed or are currently doing apprenticeships.

I’m doing a Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship and started with my employer on 29th May. For the first few weeks I only worked two days a week and I worked these from home, and this week has been my first time working in the office.

I absolutely love the apprenticeship itself and everything I’m learning through my training provider. Digital marketing is definitely the career I want to pursue, so I’m not questioning that. What I’m struggling with is whether my employer is the right fit.

My role includes (from day dot with very little instructions on how to do so):
- Answering and transferring calls.
- Updating job adverts on the company website.
- Posting to multiple social media platforms several times a day.
- Updating the Google Business Profile whenever jobs are posted on LinkedIn.
- Writing blogs.

The issue is that I feel like I’ve been left to figure everything out on my own.

There hasn’t really been a proper handover or onboarding. I keep finding out about new responsibilities as I go, rather than being trained on them.

On my first day in the office, nobody really introduced themselves to me or spoke to me much, and I left feeling quite isolated.

My second day was better because I had work to get on with, but I’m still finding it difficult because my manager isn’t very available. She came to the office for 2 hours (14:30 to 16:30 on my first day in the office) and doesn’t respond to messages frequently. She is the only other person in the company (it’s a small company) that has a hand in the marketing side of things. I messaged her twice today with questions and didn’t receive a response, so I ended up trying to work things out myself.

As an apprentice, I expected there to be more guidance while I was learning the role. I’m happy to be independent, but it’s difficult when I don’t know what the expectations are or who to ask when I get stuck.

I’ve already contacted my apprenticeship provider because I wanted to understand what my options would be if, after giving this placement a fair chance, it still doesn’t feel like the right environment. I haven’t made any decisions, but I wanted to know whether transferring to another employer is ever possible.

So I wanted to ask:
- Is this level of onboarding (or lack of it) normal in apprenticeships?
- Did anyone else feel like they were just thrown in at the deep end?
- If you’ve transferred employers during an apprenticeship, what was that process like?
- At what point did you realise a company just wasn’t the right fit?

TL;DR: I love digital marketing and I’m enjoying the apprenticeship learning, but I feel like my employer has given me very little onboarding or support. My manager is difficult to get hold of, I’ve been left to figure things out on my own, and I’m wondering whether this is a normal apprenticeship experience or whether the company simply isn’t the right fit. I’d really appreciate hearing other people’s experiences.

Recent uni graduate, and I’m looking to apply for an apprenticeship in a different area, and I’m wondering if I should mention that I have a university degree in my CV / resume? Will recruiters see this as too over qualified? Never applied for an apprenticeship so looking for all the advice I can get.

I have an architecture degree and I’m currently on a Level 4 HNC Civil Engineering apprenticeship with a council specifically highways and looking to a Level 6 civil engineering with a focus on structural engineering specifically building structures . Do
you think it will be a barrier applying as I’m 25 now but I’m really keen to do a level 6 apprenticeship to start in September 2027 ?

Hi I’ve been on an apprenticeship since November 2025 for a 7.5 ton driver job. As of now it’s the 01/07/26 I have passed medical, cpc , theory , practical tests have tacho card and cpc card. The company DX won’t allow me to drive 7.5 ton lorry. Keep lying saying that there getting me to learn a route in 3.5 ton first but day after day I end up being drivers mate. Still no uniform after all this time too but another apprentice who started same time has had his uniform since very early on, his relation works there so it does mate sense . Is this right ? I’m sick of being a drivers mate I’m not learning nothing and feel like I should be on the road. Practice makes perfect and still havnt been behind the wheel of 7.5 even though I have an assessment soon through apprenticeship company. Has anyone experienced anything like this. Cheers

I know I’ve decided pretty late in the year to pursue an apprenticeship. Up until now, I’d always leaned away from the traditional career path and focused on other opportunities instead. Recently though after conversations with my Personal Adviser (PA) as a care leaver I’ll be getting my own flat soon & my priorities have shifted. I’ll soon be responsible for meeting my own housing costs bills etc consistently without fail, and it feels like a real step into adulthood. Because of that having a stable reliable income is more important than ever which is why I’m now looking seriously at apprenticeships.

For context, I’ll be 21 in November.
Qualifications:
5 GCSEs (English 6, Maths 5)
3 A Levels:
Sociology – A
Politics – C
Criminology – D

My ideal apprenticeship would be in surveying, and I’d like to start as soon as possible if I can. If that’s not realistic I’d also be interested in something in engineering or property.
One thing I do know is that I’d prefer a role that’s either a mix of office and field based work, or something more hands on and not desk bound. I dont cope well sitting behind a computer screen for 40 hours a week.

Given my age and qualifications how realistic is it for me to land an apprenticeship? Also are there any roles you’d recommend that fit what I’m looking for? Where to apply etc please any advice is useful.

I am currently trying to learn python using the CS50P course online I feel like I need to be doing more like work experience or like attending events as companies especially Amazon state you need to show genuine interest. I’ve never even thought of coding in my life and I’ve got 2 months until I apply.
Any tips??? What should I spend these 2 months on. I really do enjoy how coding is so far.