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Higher education

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Original poster

Apprenticeship Withdrawn

251 replies

Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:13

Not sure why I'm writing apart from maybe to vent.
Ds applied for a degree apprenticeship with the civil service. Tests and interview in April. He applied with A level results in hand. A*AA (requirement is CCC).They took until the end of June to let people know. He was told successful and then yesterday they withdrew his offer and put him on the reserves list (dept he was allocated now not doing). He does have a uni offer but in a different subject he's now not sure about.
Anyone had experience of this? Any advice. He's pretty upset and want to support him in making the right decision for him.

OP posts:
Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:24

Are you sure he was told he was successful op?

Viviennemary · 10/07/2025 07:28

Depends what they mean by successful. Maybe they meant successful getting through to the next stage of interviews rather than a firm job offer. But too too annoying and horrible for your DS if it wasn't clear.

HeyWiggle · 10/07/2025 07:30

If he perfects a degree apprenticeship then maybe a gap year ?

Original poster
Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:34

Viviennemary · 10/07/2025 07:28

Depends what they mean by successful. Maybe they meant successful getting through to the next stage of interviews rather than a firm job offer. But too too annoying and horrible for your DS if it wasn't clear.

They sent everyone an email saying successful and then you get your department. He got it yesterday saying withdrawn as allocated department is now not doing.

OP posts:
Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:35

Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:34

They sent everyone an email saying successful and then you get your department. He got it yesterday saying withdrawn as allocated department is now not doing.

Show quote history

How long ago was the successful email?

did you actually see it?

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 10/07/2025 07:36

Call them op. Civil service will be very happy to speak to parents (and in fact would welcome it) and can hopefully put your mind at ease.

Freysimo · 10/07/2025 07:37

I've read the government are making cuts in the civil service so could be to do with this?

Original poster
Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:38

HeyWiggle · 10/07/2025 07:30

If he perfects a degree apprenticeship then maybe a gap year ?

He's had a gap year (hence applying with grades in hand). He's been working this year and applying for apprenticeships - its been a tough year (they appear to be v competitive) and has always been in the shortlist apart from this where he was offered.
His uni place is Warwick. Great uni but I'm worried about him not really wanting to go and having a bad experience. He's v diligent and his current job loves him but the contract ends in October anyway .

OP posts:
Original poster
Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:40

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:35

How long ago was the successful email?

did you actually see it?

Show quote history

Yes. Did see it. Last week of June. Saw the email yesterday as well, which said sorry its been withdrawn.

OP posts:
Original poster
Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:41

Freysimo · 10/07/2025 07:37

I've read the government are making cuts in the civil service so could be to do with this?

Im sure its this. Tbh, the whole process after interviews has been terrible. Not stuck to deadlines, poor communication...

OP posts:
HardworkSendHelp · 10/07/2025 07:45

That is typical civil service. So they had a requirement of 3 c’s and your son has an A*AA and they don’t take him🙈🙈🙈 No wonder the country is bucked!!
I would be fuming OP that is so unfair. That is just wasting your sons time and energy applying for something being offered it and then getting it taken away.

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:46

Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:40

Yes. Did see it. Last week of June. Saw the email yesterday as well, which said sorry its been withdrawn.

Show quote history

What was the explanation?

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:47

HardworkSendHelp · 10/07/2025 07:45

That is typical civil service. So they had a requirement of 3 c’s and your son has an A*AA and they don’t take him🙈🙈🙈 No wonder the country is bucked!!
I would be fuming OP that is so unfair. That is just wasting your sons time and energy applying for something being offered it and then getting it taken away.

This isn’t typical civil service
to offer a job
and 12 days later withdraw

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:48

The uni place he has…. Have you sorted accommodation?

HardworkSendHelp · 10/07/2025 07:48

PS tell your son he is flipping too good for the civil service and that there are better things out there. Does he really want to work and learn in such a disorganised organisation 🙈

Original poster
Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:49

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:46

What was the explanation?

Show quote history

Department is no longer doing it this year.

OP posts:
Hols23 · 10/07/2025 07:49

That's really tough and does feel unfair. Unfortunately though, I think apprenticeships (like job offers) can be withdrawn if business needs change. I know a company who cancelled their graduate scheme one year and rescinded all job offers.

Could he phone and find out more about the reserve list and what his chances are of getting a place that way?

Also uni clearing is now open - could he have a look to see if there's something that appeals more than his Warwick offer?

I really feel for him ☹️

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:50

Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:49

Department is no longer doing it this year.

Show quote history

Did they give any reason at all?

Flyswats · 10/07/2025 07:51

Honestly I would take the Warwick place and go into CS later. Its not going anywhere and he will get into some kind of fast track at that point, most likely.

Original poster
Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:53

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:48

The uni place he has…. Have you sorted accommodation?

Nope. The thing is you have to pay a non refundable deposit... Yesterday, wasn't the day to talk about it. We haven't got enough £ to spare on something we might not get back.
I feel really sorry for him because this type of thing happens to him whilst dd always seems to land on her feet (she's off to Cambridge to do a masters).

OP posts:
Original poster
Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:56

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:50

Did they give any reason at all?

Show quote history

Nope. Just dept not doing so no longer a place. Others have been allocated different depts. Potential he may have done better but now not got a place because it feels so disorganised.

I suppose there is the potential someone doesn't get the grades.

The options might be:
A: take uni place
B: try for a different course?
C: take another gap year and think again?

Any other thoughts?

OP posts:
waitingforlifeonmars · 10/07/2025 07:57

Not read the whole thread but uni clearing opened so perhaps he could look for a course he would like to do in the meantime?

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:57

Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:56

Nope. Just dept not doing so no longer a place. Others have been allocated different depts. Potential he may have done better but now not got a place because it feels so disorganised.

I suppose there is the potential someone doesn't get the grades.

The options might be:
A: take uni place
B: try for a different course?
C: take another gap year and think again?

Any other thoughts?

Show quote history

Could he ask to be reallocated?

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:58

Take the uni place personally

Original poster
Perplexed20 · 10/07/2025 07:59

Justwaits · 10/07/2025 07:57

Could he ask to be reallocated?

Edited
Show quote history

There's no way of knowing. I know there's some kind of chat going on between people applying, on a site but this only happened yesterday afternoon.

OP posts:
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