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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is really unfair

33 replies

Scotsmare77 · 22/10/2025 19:24

DS has done his A levels. He worked so so hard and got good grades. He really doesn’t want to go to uni so has been applying for apprenticeships. No luck so far.

A friend of his has failed his A levels after spending the 2 years partying. His uncle works at a company that offers 2 apprenticeships each year. There are set entry requirements. The uncle has got this friend a place despite him not meeting the requirements.

DS would have loved this opportunity. This lad is now earning £1500k per month.

Just a hard, early lesson for DS that life is not fair and it’s who you know not what you know.

OP posts:
IvedoneitagainhaventI · 22/10/2025 19:32

Well if this young guy couldn't be bothered studying for his A levels and preferred partying the Company that's taken him on may very well regret it.

There is no incentive for him to change his attitude to life if doing no work got yhim a job.
He may not last very long on this apprenticeship.

I'm sure your DS will get the reward he deserves for his hard working approach at some point, hopefully soon.

Eastie77Returns · 22/10/2025 19:31

Sorry to hear that OP. I hope something comes up for your DS.

Internships at the company I work for are like gold dust. We get hundreds of applications every year. This year the son of one of the Directors has got an intern spot. He has been parachuted in despite not meeting any of the requirements and my manager, who reports to the Director, has admitted it’s pure nepotism. It’s completely outrageous, made worse by the fact this kid will be shadowing my team for a couple of weeks and I’m finding it hard to disguise my bitterness.

Original poster
Scotsmare77 · 22/10/2025 19:30

£1500 not £1500k sorry!

Yes you’re right, it’s a difficult to parent through these things. To be fair to DS he isn’t dwelling on it.

I feel I’m falling short though, what do you say other than ‘yep, life’s not fair, suck it up and move on’. Is there anything more encouraging I can say?

As a family we also have no connections that would help DS at all which makes me feel a bit shit.

OP posts:
Bookridden · 22/10/2025 19:29

Not fair. However, your son's work ethic will hopefully stand him in good stead in the long run, amd he will probably go on to do better than this other lad. The moral arc of the universe tends towards justice in the longer term.

Mullaghanish · 22/10/2025 19:28

Apply to your local FE college, check their websites for employers looking for apprentices..

Zippidydoodah · 22/10/2025 19:27

You’re right, it isn’t fair at all. It’s hard as a parent as well, to encourage them to pull their socks up and get on with finding the next thing. So hard being resilient enough to raise resilient kids. 💐

Motheranddaughter · 22/10/2025 19:27

As you say life is not fair and the sooner young adults learn that the better
Encourage your DS not to dwell on this ,but to keep applying for positions

Butterflywings84 · 22/10/2025 19:26

Yep. Afraid so. Happens so often. And no it’s not fair