To ask how to help DS find a job/apprenticeship

[Jobs4kids]

DS18 has finished 2 year college electrical course. Did really well, distinction at level 3. Has been applying for apprenticeships all year, mainly found through Indeed. Got to the final stages of some gruelling recruitment processes/assessment centres for a couple of big companies. One has placed him in their "talent pool" but don't actually have a job for him, the other (which I posted about last week) put him through an assessment centre and final interview but have now effectively ghosted him which has really knocked his confidence. His college said they had "20 companies they were working with" which sounded promising but have now admitted they have nothing for him. Getting really worried now as September is fast approaching and I'm worried he's not going to get anything. Thinking of getting him to email his cv out to companies/recruitment agencies but at a loss really!

Grateful for any tips!

Sounds like a tough situation for your son but is positive in that he’s being so proactive and has been added to talent pools. I would suggest recruitment agencies and contacting companies direct with a CV and covering letter, really convey his enthusiasm to learn from others and learn on the job and basic skills such as patience, resilience and dedication (which it sounds like he has).

Why don't you help contact every qualified electrical firm in your area.

Also think about companies servicing installations such as alarm companies, air conditioning companies, hotel chains etc. Also people like NHS property services and local authority electrical services.

Could he write to companies explaining that he has done a 2 year electrical course at college and is looking for an actual job? Then say that in the meantime he would be grateful for some ‘work experience’ which might help him to find permanent employment later on. My son did his school work experience with an electrician at the local council. He applied to a few firms for an apprenticeship and did have a few interviews, but it was the council that took him on. Sometimes, there are young people who sound ok on paper and have the right qualifications but who really knows what their work ethic is like, how punctual and reliable they are and actually what they are like to work with? Worth a try perhaps and good luck.

Have you looked at the gov.uk apprenticeship site? They have a lot of offers on there. Indeed doesn't seem to offer so much

www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Has he tried telecoms companies?

It’s worth contacting your local council; they usually advertise around this time of year for trade apprentices or part qualified. If you’re happy to post / message where abouts in the UK you are, I may be able to help further.

Also try getmyfirstjob.com (or co.uk can't remember)

Would level apprenticeships is he looking at? If his looking at degree level, have a look at the UCAS website, although you have likely missed the boat for this years intake.
Also think about all your big companies near by and go on their websites and they should have details on how to apply.
My daughter ended up in the top group for a very well known company on their degree apprenticeship but just didn't make it, although is still on their seconds list. They are hard to get into I'm afraid. She's ended up getting herself a junior position at a local engineering company and is really enjoying it.
I really hope you find something, it's so hard for young people these days.

Agree with pp to ask him
to contact local NHS trust’s estates departments and some of them will have employability teams that work in HR who would be worth contacting too

Thank you all, some great suggestions there.

Is he doing any work right now ? It’s best to be employed in some capacity, rather than sitting waiting for the right job.

@KangarooKenny he volunteers in a kind of related field, used to do a paper round but got too old for that so gave up recently.

Same has happened to my Ds, only it was covid that ruined his plans. He was nearly at the end of first year training to be an electrician when lockdown started. Then no apprenticeships for anyone so the college put them all onto the year that is all college based (yr3?) passed all that with distinctions, applied to every electrical company within a 20 mile radius and either they already took on friends and family or weren't taking on at all.
So he spent over a year in his old job and has finally been taken on by the council.
Everyone kept telling him if we lived near a city he's have been snapped up.