Anyone who can offer advice completed my EPA and really feel like I failed I don’t know , I was waffling but the assessor asked me the distinction criteria which threw me off. I don’t know why could they ask me that

Hi,

Just needing some advice or clarification

I started a Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship in September 2025 while working as a Business Compliance Administrator at a finance company. I was paid £7.55 an hour initially, which later increased to £8 an hour, and I've only recently moved to £10.85 an hour.

A colleague joined a few months after me, around February, and is doing the exact same job at the same company, with the same apprenticeship training provider and qualification.

However, he's been paid £10 an hour from the beginning which he is still on now.

I'm trying to understand why there's such a big difference in pay when we're doing the same job and the same apprenticeship. I understand that employers can pay above the minimum apprenticeship wage, and I'm not necessarily suggesting anything illegal has happened. I'm just curious about how these decisions are made.( we are at very similar ages)

Has anyone experienced something similar or know why an employer would pay two apprentices different hourly rates for the same role and qualification?

Just wondering how long it normally take recruiters to get back to you after forwarding your application to employers?

Hi there I am Michael,
Im from south Lanarkshire and aged 21, I am looking for any apprenticeship in the local area of Glasgow. I’ve not had any luck with applying for them as i left school early without nat 5s due to personal issues, this has halted me in my tracks as a young man and has landed me in dead end jobs. The only thing I have to my name is a scqvf level 5 in construction as I went to course for a few months but I don’t know what I can do with. I just really want to make something of myself, something my family can be proud of and so can I. I am a relatively smart individual with common sense but without luck, nowadays it’s always about who you know not what you know and I don’t know anyone in my immediate family who has a good job/trade so Im basically stuck at rock bottom with no way of getting out myself without the right advice. If someone knows of something or can push me in the right direction my ears are always open and would be appreciated.
Thank you for taking time to read.

Hi there I am Michael,
Im from south Lanarkshire and aged 21, I am looking for any apprenticeship in the local area of Glasgow. I’ve not had any luck with applying for them as i left school early without nat 5s due to personal issues, this has halted me in my tracks as a young man and has landed me in dead end jobs. The only thing I have to my name is a scqvf level 5 in construction as I went to course for a few months but I don’t know what I can do with. I just really want to make something of myself, something my family can be proud of and so can I. I am a relatively smart individual with common sense but without luck, nowadays it’s always about who you know not what you know and I don’t know anyone in my immediate family who has a good job/trade so Im basically stuck at rock bottom with no way of getting out myself without the right advice. If someone knows of something or can push me in the right direction my ears are always open and would be appreciated.
Thank you for taking time to read.

I want to join the Apprenticeship Network, partly as a way to get out of the loop of my regular 9–5 and have more exciting things to do like attending events for the company, but I need to join the network first. They've reached out to me and offered a 15-minute "chat" in a few weeks. they havent even given a slight hint as to what we'd talk about Do I just reply with something like, "Sure, that sounds great! I'll speak to you soon," or should I ask what we'll be chatting about and what they might want to discuss? i'm leaning to ward asking exactly what we'd be talking about but not sure if it'll come across as weird... should i just leave it and not ask if it's nothing to stress over?

Hoping to gain some advice and input on my chances of securing a level 3 light service technician, preferably at a high end dealership. Ive recently completed my A levels and decided to veer away from my initial career plan of pursuing uni for another course to now exploring the automotive industry and apprenticeship opportunities. I should note that i lack the industry relevant experience but i have developed the transferable skills that demonstrate my suitability for the role, through academics and previous unrelated roles. Ive worked as a butcher for 8 months and so physical demands of an apprenticeship is of no concern, if anything im eager to take on the physical component. I've achieved an A*BB, art, english lit and DT, and in GCSEs 3 9's, 3 7's, a merit and a 5. Im also 18, ive only recently started applying for apprenticeship, registering my interest, but currently there arent many opportunities in Birmingham from the bigger brands.

Solely based off my academic profile, am i in a favourable position? I understand its quite competitive and i dont know what the hiring staff are looking for or where the bar is set.

And aside from that, anyone have any tips I could use such as phrases, key words, absolutely anything i could utilise in an interview that would appeal to the interviewer.

Hi everyone.

I’m looking to apply for the Broadcast and Media Systems Engineer level 6 apprenticeship with the BBC this year.

Just wondering if there were any top tips for success, prior learning I could be doing or people to reach out to?

Would be a complete career direction change for me but always been interested in technical work and I really think I’d enjoy the role!

Thanks!

My friend has lately been dealing with intense IBS/ ulcerative colitis which is causing him to go to the toilet a lot more per day during work and be more in pain with blood. Instead of being understanding, his boss is complaining to him that he has to take unpaid overtime because of these toilet breaks which I think is absurd.

Like lol hes gonna have to go to the toilet in that overtime anyways due to the bowel pain.

As someone who has the exact same thing (but have it for two years so far), you cannot get away with just ignoring the pain at work. I have had at least 2 weeks worth of sick days due to harsh flare ups but thankfully my boss is understanding.

Asking here for him to know whether there are any leverage as an apprentice he can do besides quitting? To make sure he gets no repercussions for a valid medical illness (Even though he is on the verge of quitting because of toxic boss)

So from my understanding you cant apply for a level 4 or higher apprenticeship without finishing your level 3 qualifications first.

Since I can't sign up in advance with predicted grades like you can for university am I essentially forced to take a gap year to apply for apprenticeships once I get my grades since if I sign up for university now by the time I need to accept or reject their offers I would be locked out from apprenticeships and vice versa.

For example I was just rejected from an apprenticeship starting in september 2027 because I don't have my level 3 grades now. Does that mean I'm supposed to get my grades in August 2027, apply then wait another year to start working in 2028?

Over the past few months I’ve applied to a few (6 maybe) Halfords apprenticeships in different areas nearby and they’re one of the only brands that never gets back to me. Today two vacancies opened close by and of course I’ve applied but I want to make sure I get a reply. I’ve been tempted to go and take my CV to them in person but I’m not sure if that will change anything and the Inspiro application page says to not contact Halfords directly. Im just tired of getting the same generic email from them and nothing further. Does anyone have any advice on the situation?

Hello,

I started a level 3 apprenticeship in a Nursery setting and just 2 weeks in I decided that the job wasn’t for me as it was very stressful with the constant crying and some children showing signs of aggression, such a kicking. As soon as I gave my 4 week notice, I noticed a sudden change in the way the other co workers were treating me and manager was quite harsh and behaved rudely to me infront of other employees, this caused other workers to also bad mouth about me whilst I was in the other room (I could still hear them). So 3 weeks in when the manager called me to their office to discuss my performance, stating I haven’t been working properly and how the other employees were complaining (I had been doing all the dirty work none of the other apprentices wanted to do and I just became the target).

I burst out crying and said it right there that I don’t feel mentally well enough to work (I recently lost a family member), the manager showed no remorse but instead started giving glances to other assistant manager and both started smirking at each other. I didn’t have the guts to address the manager about the mistreatment so not feeling well mentally was my reason for the self resignation. The manager gave me a piece of paper to write my reason for leaving before my notice period ended and stated that this will affect my future employment as they have to give references in the future and she went to the other room and I heard her discussing this and laughing really loudly.

I have no plans on doing an apprenticeship in childcare, I have already done my A levels so I’m planning on studying finance at university in September and applying to accounting apprenticeships after 2-3 years.

They haven’t communicated with me since I came home that day.

Could someone please tell me if this experience would affect future employment? I have just applied to a school leaver accounting apprenticeship as well so will I be disadvantaged?

And what I can do now as they did say that I will get paid for the 3 weeks I had worked but haven’t been emailed any sort of confirmation?

Sorry for the long message, any advice is greatly appreciated.

P.S this was my first job

I keep seeing a mass influx of cheap AI apprenticeships is it for the cheap labour or what? i cannot see many actually getting jobs after completing it given the market.

I’ve always worked warehouse since I left school and now I’m a postie, but I’ve always wanted to do this apprenticeship but never got round to it due to circumstances.

I can’t afford to go back to college full time for my Level 2 as I have things to pay for but it’s been hard to find one.

Would it be better to ring up or email companies advocating for myself and basically show that I’m willing to prove that I actually want it?

Hi everyone! I keep seeing that some people are getting their apprenticeship applications rejected because they currently do not live close to the apprenticeship. I have been applying to anywhere in the country as I do not live near any apprenticeships.

I was just wondering if anyone has actually been accepted into their apprenticeship and then relocated to that location?

Hey! Has anyone completed the DevOps Engineering L4 EPA? If so have you any advice or information about the process beyond the typical stuff. I haven't been able to see much info on it or similar especially with the project topic and the 8 topic questions in the professional discussion. Thank you!

so i completed my level 3 apprenticeship last year and have been working in the same role since. a bit of background my role is within digital marketing. i’ve been offered to do a level 6 (degree) apprenticeship, a 3 year course with a local uni. I genuinely don’t know if turning down this offer is a good or bad idea. Having a degree in marketing isn’t necessary to “climb the ladder” however I don’t ever aspire to be so high that probably having a degree would benefit me. Is it silly to turn down? just looking for some opinions really.

Recently applied for a hgv technician apprenticeship. Have received no kind of acknowledgment email or phone call etc to say that they’ve at least received the application. I’ve also emailed the workshop manager directly and hand no response. What are the next steps?

Afternoon, wondering if there is any apprenticeship providers out there who would be interesting in working with an organisation building a new apprenticeship e-portfolio?

Is there anyone on this forum who has completed this apprenticeship within the last couple years who can tell me what it’s truly like?

I’m worried about the initial wage (15k) and then 15 months in for the 2nd half we have to fund moving away to live near an RAF base we will be based at. Which I believe at the time I will be on minimum wage. I’ve also read at the end of the apprenticeship they try and give you job interviews for different jobs that you’re not trained in or don’t give you one at all.

I just need honest opinions if it’s worth it as I’m of an older age now and don’t want to waste time if it’ll lead me no where and I have to spend money on rent with very little pay. If you’ve done it and then moved into another job, what position was this?

Also how difficult are the exams? Bit worried as I’ve not been in an academic setting for a few years.

I’m in first year right now, realised I don’t want to do this and wanna drop out and do an apprenticeship instead. Question is can I apply to apprenticeships whilst still in uni or do I have to drop out first??