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Original poster

To Think that Grad & Apprenticeships are now only for Diversity Candidates

810 replies

reallyreallycrazy · 21/10/2025 10:34

Slight hyperbole but not far off.

Yes, of course I suppose my DS should be appreciative of his 'white privilege' (I do detest the term though), but he's been applying to over 100 x spring & summer internships and apprenticeships.

Invariably, he finds that lots of programmes are only open to black/female/social mobility/ND candidates. In one recent case - a global consultancy - there were NO openings for anyone outside of these categories.

And today, on LinkedIn, he forwarded me several links from leading banks reaching out about apprenticeships etc. In most photos, you might be lucky to spot 1-2 white males and in the video of one, there were not a single white male (or female for that matter).

I get that these firms need to do outreach to disadvantaged groups but if you look at the population level percentage of the various group categories, this really has swung too far the other way.

I get that many of these organisations have years to catch up with diversity hires but to try to rebalance in such an aggressive way and in a short space of time, makes it very difficult for young, white males (unless they have qualified for 'free school meals') to get a foot in the door which is especially tough in an incredibly tough grad market as it is.

OP posts:
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Holluschickie · 21/10/2025 11:34

My son is brown. He got into a grad scheme in finance after over a 100 applications. He has now converted that into a job at a global consultancy for 2026. His grades at A levels were 4 A stars and he got a first in his degree. He is currently doing a masters at Oxbridge.

Do you want to claim my son is a diversity hire?

Beedeeoh · 21/10/2025 11:32

The reason for this is that it's much more likely for white, male middle class candidates to be successful through other routes. You're talking as if your son will have no chance of getting a position in future. Statistically that's unlikely. White males generally do very well in grad scheme applications or just open applications. The point of offering internships and apprenticeships to disadvantaged groups is that it gives them a better chance when it comes to the latter type of application or an alternative way to get a foot in the door. That's why they are not usually open to candidates who have those advantages already.

I work in the public sector and the vast majority of our grads this year are white, middle class females - not great. If other areas are achieving better diversity, I'm all for that.

user927464 · 21/10/2025 11:31

justnottinghill · 21/10/2025 11:29

I work in finance - there is a huge problem with getting disadvantaged students in. Plenty of places for white men and women.

There is no issue here - your son just isn’t able to handle the competition.

Thats a really unnecessary comment and not correct either.

The reality is that AI CV filters mean that the intakes are far more diverse than ever before which is not a problem until it no longer reflects the make up of society.

Fellontheground · 21/10/2025 11:31

YANBU - my DD is a high flying maths A level student in a state school who has proactively sought out various maths schemes for state school students. However she hasn’t a hope of getting in - indeed many she’s been told not to even bother - as she is not black/a refugee/school meals/pupil premium etc etc Such a shame that smart kids like this miss out.

justnottinghill · 21/10/2025 11:30

reallyreallycrazy · 21/10/2025 11:27

Oh and the programmes DS mentioned, there were NO openings so no opportunity to even apply unless you were female/black/social mobility.

Edited
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Share them, then. Go on.

I'm happy to then send you plenty he can apply for if you let us know his basic details such as type of role / entry level / area.

justnottinghill · 21/10/2025 11:29

I work in finance - there is a huge problem with getting disadvantaged students in. Plenty of places for white men and women.

There is no issue here - your son just isn’t able to handle the competition.

Original poster
reallyreallycrazy · 21/10/2025 11:27

Octavia64 · 21/10/2025 11:20

The photos are always like that and have been for some years.

they’re not a reflection of the reality of who gets in.

a friend of my DC got into the atomic energy grad programme. She was the only non Oxbridge and one of very few females.

Oh and the programmes DS mentioned, there were NO openings so no opportunity to even apply unless you were female/black/social mobility.

OP posts:
Original poster
reallyreallycrazy · 21/10/2025 11:26

Octavia64 · 21/10/2025 11:20

The photos are always like that and have been for some years.

they’re not a reflection of the reality of who gets in.

a friend of my DC got into the atomic energy grad programme. She was the only non Oxbridge and one of very few females.

In banking it is the reality, same in insurance, at least what I've heard from people I know who work in global, top UK banks/insurance.

Not everyone, obviously, but these people - very senior - commented on how out of 12 and 15 intake, only 1 and 2 males respective. All others diversity/females.

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 21/10/2025 11:20

The photos are always like that and have been for some years.

they’re not a reflection of the reality of who gets in.

a friend of my DC got into the atomic energy grad programme. She was the only non Oxbridge and one of very few females.

ExtraOnions · 21/10/2025 11:18

I’m in the Civil Service, just checked our Apprentices for this year … and I can only base this on a picture.

7 white men
5 white women
2 Black / Asian Women
2 Black / Asian Men

Not sure about Disability, or Demographics … but, having been part of the process, there were no “targets”

It’s a competitive market … I just advertised a lower graded role, and got 250 applications