Clash of timetables - what can we do?

[Whatiswithallthisracket]

My son has got through to assessment stage of a really good apprenticeship programme, after applying back in January. There are only a handful of positions available and they're are very sought after. He would end up with a degree in this profession, with none of the student debt and will have been earning a very decent wage throughout.
Obviously, to get one of the positions, there have been tests, interviews, screenings and now we're at the assessment stage. I'm not sure what this entails, other than it's 3 hours long and the time and date have been given to him, he hasn't been able to choose.
Here's the rub.
It clashes with his A-Level exam. Both the date and the exact time. This exam forms part of the entrance requirements for the programme.
We've contacted the college and asked if he could sit in isolation to do the assessment (it's virtual) and then remain in exam conditions and go on to the exam. We'd pay an invigilator. Basically, anything they needed us to do, we'd do it. The college have, understandably, refused.
Thè apprenticeship programme have said they're unable to move the date or time (the initial email said they expect everyone to make themselves available- which is understandable, don't book a dr appointment for the same time, but this is different in my opinion) as the assessment centres are full, these assessments are virtual. They may be able to offer him an assessment centre in a different location but can't guarantee this.
I don't understand what the issues are. The assessment is virtual, so what does the location have to do with it?
I'm tearing my hair out for him because he's already stressed about his exams and he was so proud to have got through to this stage to now be knocked down by something as ridiculous as this!
I don't really know what I'm posting for, other than to vent, I suppose.
Has anyone else had this happen to them
Or their child? Did the company see sense in the end?

Not sure but it sounds as if the assessment is taken in a centre like Pearson Vu, as the theory driving test and the UCAT test are. These get booked up and you may find that it is necessary to travel further away to secure a slot. I would try to speak to the apprenticeship programme again - they may be able to let you know if there is a cancellation, somewhere, perhaps. They surely can't complain about a candidate having to sit an A Level - seems a bit daft.

Surely if the exam is part of their entry requirement no one scheduled for that slot will be available? Get onto the apprenticeship again.

We will be contacting the apprenticeship team again.
It's a virtual 'assessment centre'. I don't actually know what it means, but no travelling is involved as it is done remotely. This is what makes it all the more infuriating.
Obviously if they have the option to travel elsewhere though, we would certainly do it.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. It isn't that particular subject exam that forms part of the entry requirement, more the results from this exam do. For example, he would need 3 A's. Similar to the requirements for getting a place in university.

Who in the 'apprenticeship team' have you spoken to? This should be escalated to a higher level I think. It seems really stupid they have put the assessment to clash with an A-level exam.

My son emailed the Early Careers Lead, he received the response that they couldn't do anything about it. I have called and was told she would call back (admittedly, this was at about 4:45pm today). I'll try again tomorrow.
I completely agree, to schedule these assessments during the exam period is ludicrous. They could do them evenings or weekends, if they're as a previous poster suggested, a similar process to the driving theory test.

Your son has my sympathies, OP. He and you have done the right things so far. I have DC who have gone/are going down this route and, sadly, preventable clashes are a feature because, often, recruitment teams are still finding their way in an area that is relatively new to them.

With regards assessment centre 'location', though virtual, they typically include senior and junior team members for the actual location being applied for (ie future bosses and colleagues).

Nevertheless, the way forward would be for the employer to squeeze your son onto another assessment centre. If he performs well, there is still the chance his preferred location will include him in the pool for the final stage.

Although HR functions will not admit this, they can afford to be rough and ready in their approach because so many people apply for these schemes (not right but a current fact of life). So, a positive and constructive tone needs to be maintained in any dialogue (sounds like you are doing this).

Encourage your son to focus on saying he explored whether college can adjust (answer - no) and is very, very keen, shown aptitude via tests todate and will be very flexible about attending a different assessment attached to a different location. All of which shows motivation, initiative and resilience - qualities they will be looking for. Hope that helps.

I’d be very concerned about the attitude of the apprenticeship programme. If it’s an elite programme that requires A-levels their attitude (and actually, the timing of the assessment centre) makes no sense at all. Hopefully the person you’ve spoken to has their wires crossed.

Not being critical, but it's him who needs to phone and not you. They'll have a lot more respect and more likely to listen if he's the one making contact and a parent doesn't need to do it for him.

I agree. I've just had a message from him and he's spoken the the person this morning who has confirmed there is nothing they can do, they're only doing the interviews next week and the slots are all full. But they hope he we reapply when the programme reopens next year.
He's gutted and I'm really annoyed!

It is a national company and, I would assume, most of the applicants would be about my sons age and therefore in the middle of exams, so why schedule all of the interviews for next bloody week?!

I'm inclined to agree. It is an elite programme and he would have been over the moon to get a place on it. To have a degree, with no debt, lots of on the job experience and earning a decent wage throughout, I was tempted by it!
It just seems to show very poor planning!