Apprenticeship Withdrawn

[Perplexed20]

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.

You're right that someone else might not achieve their offer grades, so there's still hope. Also someone might decide to take up their uni place, or a different apprenticeship/job offer.

I wonder if he's first reserve?

He has asked to be reallocated. He sent a great email yesterday (I'm very proud of how he handled it) but the likelihood is all the places were allocated.
He's just very down. He took himself off for a long walk yesterday. Hoping the weekend might bring some fresh perspective. DH is in the everything will be fine space. Im sure it will in the end, but it doesn't yet feel like that for DS.

Do you think he could ask where he is on the reserves list?

I think it would.be fine to ask where he is on the reserve list, and how many people usually don't take up their place. Does he know how many places there are in total?

I would take the place then apply again for the fast track personally. I know two people on the fast track. They are very pleased to be there but would not have wanted to miss university.

I think it was 40 places, but tbh I'm not sure if I've made that up in my head. He's 18 and working. V independent (always been like this) so we're the support team rather than the driver. Maybe I should have known/know more. Not sure that would make a difference.

This has been helpful. I think we need to help him to think of options and an onwards frame of mind.

I know there's plenty of time, but when you're 18 this feels like it has to be now.

Good luck - hopefully he'll get a place through the reserve list 🤞

Your son needs to call OP, not you. Civil servant here - we won't welcome parents phoning on behalf of their children. If the department is no longer running apprenticeships - he should be offered an apprenticeship in a different department. Does the letter say anything apart from the apprenticeship has been cancelled? To answer the question, while this hasn't happened to me, I have seen it happen before. usually due to a drop in headcount. Departments are told their budget for the year, and realise they can't take on as many people as planned. Its crap and I can understand he's disappointed.

This is his first experience of the adult world, and it won't be the only time you he has setbacks and disappointments with things he wants to do.

He just has to choose another path, and he'll end up somewhere else and probably end up somewhere better.

It's never a good idea to put all his eggs in one basket.So that's a lesson learned. You need a backup plan whatever you do.

I wouldn't call!

All the letter says is he is now on the reserves list. All the places in depts have been allocated, I would expect, so there are no other depts. I would surmise there will now be less people on this cohort.

And the poor chap has had plenty of set backs already.

He applied for several apprenticeships and has a university place too so can hardly be accused of putting all his eggs in one basket surely! What could he have done differently?

Well done to your son he's got really strong grades! Sometimes withdrawals happen due to unavoidable business reasons - it's awful for the receiving individuals. Is it worth speaking to the university and seeing whether he can do a different course? Or alt he might be able to get a place at a different uni on a different course through clearing? His old school / college should be able to help with that

Please don't phone on behalf of your son as some have suggested. It screams mummys boy and would make him look stupid (not saying he is just how it would look to his potential employer). Nothing else to add but he sounds brilliant. Smart, motivated and a good work ethic.

No problem with accommodation at Warwick - it isn’t allocated till after results. There’s plenty. Was the deposit for private halls? No deposit required for uni owned ones.

What about an apprenticeship with a big company? Mine takes them on around September for around £20k, then they apply for a “proper” job after 2 years. Our company always keeps them. It’s a good scheme, various roles.

Yes, it was. Thanks for this.

Sorry this happened. So disappointing…and it is unusual for Civil Service.

I think him having emailed yesterday was the right thing to do. I would probably wait until next week now and then follow-up wi5 a phone call - from him. I’m sure he’s already made clear that he’s v disappointed but willing to switch dept. And you would hope that they absolutely prioritise peooke in his position. In wonder how many there were who had iffers in the dept which is no longer offering and if there are other depts doing the same thing too.

And yes, Warwick only do accom after results day. So you wi t need to pay anything for uni owned accom at this point. Done be sucked into private accom - they will want money.

He applied for about 4. Most of them start on September but you apply earlier in the year. Learning from this year is they are more competitive than uni places for what he wants to do.
He could try again next year but the discussion last night is he doesn't want to take the risk to end up in the same position a year on.
He appears to me to be the ideal candidate. He works hard and he is smart. But obviously, I'm biased.
He's got his driving test next week.
So...after that I think he might be ready to think about options.

@Perplexed20

Which subject does he have a place for at Warwick?

Global sustainable development.

Ds got on a cs apprenticeship from reserve list(already a graduate). However do also bear in mind security checks and onboarding can take months after an offer so it would be worth him looking for other jobs in meantime.

Thanks. This is helpful.
DH and my DSis both have enhanced security for their jobs so know the process. (They're not civil service but work with the civil sevice.)

Not apprenticeship but CS sandwich year in 2023/24. Everyone who was told they were successful but placed on wait list got a position.

Could he look at the bank Apprenticeships?

Astar AA in A levels are very good. I think he just take his place at Warwick. My son's friend went there, did well and now is in financial services in London doing very well. My son did geography at Bristol (not too different from Warwick's sustainable development and an interest of my son's) and then did law after.

Sometimes taking the 3 years to live away from home at university has advantages going into the apprenticeships do not particularly as the UK state has messed him around so much ,ed him up the garden path and then dropped him at the last minute with no care that here is someone they are lucky to have with high A levels who has time limits to go to university or pick other things.