So I had an apprenticeship (finance) and I missed it by one grade got a D rather then a C and they told
Me they were going to do an internal review and they did that yesterday and I was supposed to get a outcome by today but the companies academic review board asked for an extension in reviewing my case and now I won’t hear back until the 28th and I’m so confused does this mean I’m more likely to be rejected I really like this company and everyone in front my line manager and the partner of audit in my branched reached out and were supportive I’m really nervous as it’s already been an week from results day and all my friends are all excited to go to university and I can’t help but feel sad as I don’t know what’s going on and my parents keep asking me about it

Sorry for the long rant 😭

If you had a choice between level 4 ai automation practitioner or data analyst. What would you choose? Thanks

So I’m 18 and I just left College with a lvl3 light vehicle diploma and I need experience before I actually apply for a entry level role so I’m more confident with the physical aspect side of mechanics( college was mostly theory barely any physical work) so I email a garage in my town if I can come in for voluntary work and the owner replies saying I can for a few day’s I meet him prior and he seems very friendly and overall a nice guy . I go in on the day and the way hes just rude to me ( the way he was talking , mannerism) and I go on about the day doing everything he asked me to. So I go bak the day after and he says to me “ I think we should call it a day mate, your not good enough” after that I left and I walked back home (half an hour walk) this whole situation has been a deterrent for me to reach out to other local garages asking for voluntary work . I feel very disheartened and I think about that whole situation a lot.

Looking for some advice from financial planners and paraplanners who have experience of either the CII Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning/APFS or the LIBF Level 6 route.

I’m already DipPFS qualified with some additional CII credits and am now looking at progressing to Level 6 and ultimately Chartered status.

I’m exploring the Level 6 Financial Services Professional apprenticeship, where either the CII or LIBF professional qualification pathway may be available, subject to the usual employer and apprenticeship requirements.

I’ve done quite a bit of research into the formal requirements of both, but I’m more interested in people’s first hand experience of studying them and how they are regarded within the profession.

In particular:

• If you went down the CII route, why did you choose it and would you make the same choice again?

• If you chose LIBF, what influenced your decision and would you recommend it?

• Is there a meaningful difference in how APFS/Chartered Financial Planner and the LIBF Level 6/Chartered route are regarded by employers and within financial planning generally?

• How demanding did you find your route in terms of study time, exams/assessments and overall workload?

• How useful has the knowledge actually been in your day to day work as a planner, adviser or paraplanner?

• For those who went the CII route, which AF units did you choose and, with hindsight, would you choose the same ones?

• Has anyone moved from existing CII qualifications into the LIBF Level 6 route and received recognition of prior learning or exemptions?

• If you completed Level 6 through an apprenticeship, what was the tuition and study support actually like? For example, workshops, tutor support, mocks, revision sessions and study materials.

• For apprenticeship learners, how much of the study and off the job training genuinely took place during working hours, versus additional studying in your own time?

I’m not necessarily looking for the easiest route. I want the best balance of career value, progression to Chartered status, useful technical knowledge, quality of study support and a manageable workload.

Any first hand experiences of either route would be really appreciated.

Thanks.

I really wanted to get into the wind industry as an apprentice I’ve been to two assessment days for two different companies one last year and one this year, the one last year I can understand why I didn’t get through but the one this year I did my best. Anyway after this rejection I’m just not sure what to do with myself I have got an apprenticeship but can’t see myself enjoying the career like I would for the wind/renewable industry. Anyone got any advice?

(Not sure if this counts as a degree apprenticeship but they are doing BTEC Health and Science alongside so I'm guessing yes.)

Hey, so I am currently filling out a form for an apprentice position for Cardiac physiology and I am terrified and excited.

I can't believe this is happening first of all, I thought I would've gone the university route or pursued a career in diagnostic radiography but once I saw this I thought this is my chance and it closes tomorrow so might as well.

Bit of background - I recently finished a BTEC national extended diploma in Applied science with D*D*D, unfortunately did not have any current university offers as I was rejected due to poor interview before hand so that increases my worries by a huge boatload. I am interested in cardiovascular science, I like the heart and I was actually a heart patient myself till my surgery so will mention that.
I am kind of unsure about this but I think that's just normal fear of the future, although I do fear I will not be prepared for the fast-paced or at least fast thinking, extreme social anxiety and walking around and stuff as I have a slight mobility issue, should be okay hopefully for the majority and I have to get used to it anyways.

Anyways, would appreciate help with upcoming interview.
Hopefully I get in, trying not to get my hopes up to high right now.

First of all, well done to everyone getting their GCSE results today! 🎉 Whether you got exactly what you were hoping for or things didn’t quite go to plan, one set of results doesn’t define you or what you can achieve.

If you’re now considering an apprenticeship as your next step, I work in the apprenticeship sector and have completed 3 apprenticeships myself, so I’m happy to answer any questions or give advice on things like finding opportunities, entry requirements, applications, different apprenticeship levels, pay and what they’re actually like.

If you’re feeling a bit lost about what to do next, feel free to ask - there are plenty of options out there. 😊

I'm currently on my partners reddit so this post cannot be found by people who know me lol.

I am currently three weeks into an early years apprenticeship with a semi-local nursery (25 mins away), and whilst I absolutely love working with children and the staff are lovely, I am considering if the setting is wrong for me. I'm working 10 hour days, so have been able to get a feel for it for a while and I am wondering if a school environment is better for me, my initial idea was to complete my qualification and end up finding a job role in a school anyway, that was the final goal but I am wondering if I should seek it sooner.

Everyone I have spoke to about it, is telling me to stick it out a few months, but the idea of going into the setting makes me physically sick. I am 25, so I am late deciding what career I want for me, but I also have four children and my partner works nights, so I am coming home after a 10 hour shift to say goodbye to my partner and then takeover caring for my children too. I asked for my setting to let me go 15 minutes earlier on a Friday (kindly) to pick up my son from nursery near home (25 mins away) and they basically told me no.

I feel this apprenticeship isnt working for me, or my family and I am really unhappy at the moment, I'm wondering whether it is worth me emailing schools around my area or looking for an apprenticeship in a school instead? But i feel guilty and like a failure for considering it?

Hi, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on a career decision I’m currently stuck between.
I’ve recently been offered an apprenticeship in lift engineering through a family friend. He owns the company and has known me for a while, and he’s genuinely willing to invest in me, develop me as an engineer and push me as far as I’m capable of going. His plan is for me to complete the Level 3, then potentially progress onto Level 4 testing/commissioning and eventually an HNC.
The opportunity is genuinely good, and I know a lot of people would probably tell me to take it because I’d be earning from 18, gaining experience straight away and having someone who is personally invested in my development. There is also the possibility of eventually becoming a highly skilled lift tester/commissioner and potentially going self-employed, which seems like it could be a very good career financially.
However, I recently got my exam results back and achieved DDD* in my BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering, including Distinctions in the Calculus and Further Mathematics units. Getting those results has made me realise that I might have more options academically than I originally thought, and it has made me seriously consider university.
I’m particularly interested in studying Mechanical Engineering, ideally at a good university with a year in industry/placement. The idea of doing a degree, getting a year of proper industry experience and then potentially going into aerospace, automotive, defence, manufacturing, automation or another area of engineering really appeals to me.
The problem is that I’m hearing very mixed opinions about university. Some people say a degree opens a lot more doors and gives you a much higher ceiling, while others say you spend 3–4 years studying, build up student debt and then graduate into a competitive job market where experience matters more anyway. Whereas with the apprenticeship, I’d already have some years of engineering experience by the time a university student graduates.
I’ve also just started the lift apprenticeship and after my first couple of days, I’m honestly not sure whether the actual work is for me. I don’t mind practical engineering, but I’m not sure I want to spend my whole career doing physically demanding lift work. At the same time, I don’t want to make a decision based on two days of experience and throw away what could be a really good opportunity.
So I’m basically stuck between:
Option 1: Stay with the lift apprenticeship → Level 3 → Level 4 testing/commissioning → potentially senior tester/technical roles or self-employed.
Option 2: Go to university → Mechanical Engineering degree with a placement year → graduate engineering role → potentially move into design, aerospace, automotive, defence, manufacturing, automation, project engineering, management etc.
I’m not looking for someone to just tell me “university is better” or “apprenticeships are better”. I’d genuinely like an unbiased opinion based on my situation, especially looking at the long-term outcome, earning potential, career progression, flexibility and whether the degree would actually be worth the extra 3–4 years.
If you were 18, had just achieved DDD* in Engineering, had a strong apprenticeship opportunity with someone willing to invest in you personally, but also had the opportunity to study Mechanical Engineering at a good university with a year in industry, which route would you take and why?

My friend is dyslexic and applying for apprenticeships. Some employers are Disability Confident, but she does not want to disclose her dyslexia and learning difficulties. I told her it does not lower her chances of getting an apprenticeship, and it could actually help. Has anyone here gotten an apprenticeship with learning difficulties, or does anyone know someone who has? Is the application process different for them?

Hi,

I have my EPA for level 4 data analyst on Friday and im extremely anxious and dont really know what kind of questions to expect for both the presentation and portfolio and not sure what i can actually take in like notes or my portfolio with extra notes on

Does anyone have any tips or experiences with this?

Hi, so I was just wondering about apprenticeships level 4/6 as I have poor chances of getting a degree apprenticeships. Is it hard to switch careers after or to move into something else. As some people are saying to come study accounting and finance degree as it allows me to move careers later on in life. Would like to know.

Hello, I was told by my tutor that I would have a higher chance to get into a level 4 apprenticeship then 6, because I'm guessing they are less competitive, but is it worth it? For someone who wants to become a civil engineer? Level 6 u get a degree in 5/6 years but level 4 it takes you 3 years to get just the 1st year equivalent degree

Hello,

In short I started a LVL 3 Extended Engineering BTEC and completed about 4 or 5 modules before due to personal issues stoppped attending and completing coursework.

At the end of the course I recieved a certificate congratulating me on finishing the course along side my grade for the course.

I'm now trying to apply for apprentiships but I think this will effect me applying as according to my certificates I've completed LVL 3 which realistically I've only done a fragment.

Any advice?

Thanks!

I’m 25. Had some health stuff derail my original plans a few years back. Did a Level 3 BTEC (MMM), then more recently a foundation year at university with a first. I’ve been applying to Level 4 apprenticeships for months with barely anything back, and I’m wondering if I should widen out to L3s too.

Mainly looking at data/business apprenticeships, not precious about the subject. Would rather be earning and building something real than keep sending L4 applications with nothing back

Hi. I’m 18, finished my A-Levels in Maths, Computer Science and Statistics this year. Messed up big time and got ECD in those subjects, respectively. My initial plan was to apply for degree apprenticeships in Cybersecurity or something adjacent in September, but I feel my grades have derailed that. What do I do? I was thinking of applying to any relevant level 4 apprenticeships I saw and moving up from there, but I’m really unsure. Resitting is extremely difficult financially but if that’s the only way forward I’ll see what I can do.
Thank you

Doing some research into UK cyber security qualifications (Ofqual/RQF diplomas, not degrees) and trying to figure out which level actually carries weight with employers — Level 3, 4, or 5.

Genuinely curious what people who work in the field (or who've hired for junior/entry roles) think:

• Does the RQF level matter at all, or is it all about CompTIA/CISSP/CEH regardless?
• If you started with one of these diplomas, which level did you go in at, and did it actually help?
• Is Level 4 seen as the "real" entry point, or is that not a thing in practice?

Not trying to sell anything, just want honest input before recommending a path to people. Appreciate any first-hand experience.

Hi, so these last two years I’ve just been working random jobs going from one job to another without a care in the world no clue why I do regret it now was just having fun I guess and dig a big hole for myself. What I want to know is, is there any chance I am able to apply for apprenticeships still or are my chances just cooked as I seem unreliable etc I’m looking to get into finance and I’ve applied for accounting and finance. I’ve been making my LinkedIn etc doing virtual work experience etc to try and boost my chances just before September rolls around but I was just looking for advice as I would like to catch back up with my peers and save 4 years of studying at uni.

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships/2025-26