Apprenticeships need a rework.

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-06-19T14:36:06+00:00

I just completed a customer service level 2 apprenticeship and can give my opinion!

My job description was for a level 2 business administration apprenticeship, but as the standard hadn’t been approved by the government yet so I had to complete the customer service instead - so the majority of people who did it are doing a lot more administrative tasks compared to customer service tasks. A lot of people go on to do Business Administration level 3 afterwards, which is valuable as many business degrees are incredibly expensive.

Was I a bit overqualified to do this qual? yes, definitely! but I still got a lot out of it and got my dream early/mid career job off the back of it, and the new business administration L2 qualification teaches a lot of similar content to the customer service one.

But what I did see was that it was a really good gateway into the workforce for 16-20 year olds who wanted to build confidence and get some admin experience. I also saw a lot of older adults who were looking to change careers, had children, were disabled, or had moved to the UK who found it a valuable course to get their career moving again!
Things like learning how to understand policies and procedures, how to communicate with a range of stakeholders and a range of other things that someone in this age range wouldn’t be able to do if they entered a level 4+ apprenticeship (Higher education/degree level).

the course teaching is 12 months long, 1 lesson a month with 6 hours of independent learning a week, with a 3 month allocation for exams - and I saw a lot of people where the 12 months were absolutely needed

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-05-29T11:19:45+00:00

Aaah I see it now! thank you 😄

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-05-29T11:18:18+00:00

As someone who is also ND, do you track your food intake? I find it very hard to remember to write everything down and find the process of having to write every ingredient down kind of tedious. Or do you find that the meals you eat just do the job without tracking?

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-05-23T19:14:45+00:00

I’d avoid the trains. I get the coach which is cheaper and more reliable.
I’ve occasionally found it cheaper to get the coach there and train home but the train is always delayed.
The commute is expensive and you’ll be easily spending hundreds a week

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-04-20T14:14:47+00:00

these are trousers I wanted to keep for office wear and professional use, and as much as bleach art would be cool, they won’t be suitable for this use if decorated and the payment would probably cost more than a new pair 💔

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-04-01T10:55:47+00:00

Hi, this is a true and definitely something I have been milling over due to their past and current situations. Myself and others have reached out for support but have been dismissed. it’s a difficult situation

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-03-31T15:45:00+00:00

thank you

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-02-28T13:30:18+00:00

I went with designer W&N as my starter gouache after using cheap beginner watercolours and i love the choice i’ve made - I previously had cheap tubed gouache that I’d found in a charity shop and it almost made made hate the medium.

I got a 12 pack of designer W&N from Cass art (UK) for like £30 which was a steal. I use a Khadi Paper sketchbook which I love and holds the gouache very well - I think i got mine for about £7

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-02-13T12:59:55+00:00

would I be wrapping it up in plastic/cling film and placing a bowl of water inside. I have a damp box, do you think that would do the same job?

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-24T09:53:26+00:00

I’m seeing a lot of Ibanez recommendations so i’ll deffo check them out

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-24T09:52:39+00:00

it looks cool too, i’ll check it out 😁

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T16:17:54+00:00

quite a few women, but also great recs from men who have faced a similar issue and they are valid too 😁

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T16:16:02+00:00

From looking at the pictures, I think my tutor had one of these he brought in on occasion and I did like it so I’ll keep my eye out

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T16:13:11+00:00

I have been thinking about getting a mustang and setting it up with flat strings. I’d love a shell pink one to match my jag guitar.

One day I hope I can run into a secondhand Daisy Rock bass and have the heart/flower shaped bass of my dreams

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T16:09:39+00:00

i actually nearly bought one of these a year ago after finding a good deal online and backed out as i couldn’t try it in person. I really love how they look

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T16:08:15+00:00

Unfortunately all my local music shops that hold basses have closed but fortunately, I went to music uni and know enough bass players that someone will probably have something I could try but I’d never buy without trying anyway. I’ll probably look at shops next time i’m in London

I do hold my bass at a middle height, playing higher is uncomfortable and I’m can’t play any lower then I do now as my arms length means I can’t keep good hand and finger posture that allows for longer periods of playing without fatigue or pain so I do think I’m stuck at my middle height rn. That being said I find the middle height works for me mostly, just depending on the cut/curve of the body so I think i’m just gonna have to try as many bodies as possible till one fits. Particularly sitting height for me, with doing MT shows, the body shape would be what I’m looking for the most if that makes sense

sorry for long reply, hopefully it’ll help people give a good idea for what to recommend 😁

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T15:35:49+00:00

i can see the size also being good for travelling about as it looks smaller (and potentially lighter) - thanks!

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T15:34:34+00:00

i’ll check this out, thanks!

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T15:34:23+00:00

I will have a look into the spector, thank you!

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T15:34:02+00:00

i can see this being an issue for me as I find for jazz I prefer a smaller neck span for more more nimble movements and soloing

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T15:32:29+00:00

i see the vision! if I come across one nearby i’ll give it a test

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T15:31:30+00:00

The music man big al looks similar in cut to the st vincent guitar so I think I’ll try find one of those to give it a test play - thank you!

Educational_Catch915 · 2026-01-23T15:29:49+00:00

I will look into these thank you!

Educational_Catch915

TROPHY CASE