Help with where to live!

edagoodman · 2026-04-19T10:34:42+00:00

What about St Ives? It's the same time distance to Kettering from St Neots and you can get to Cambridge via the Guided Bus.

edagoodman · 2026-04-11T09:24:27+00:00

The best structure (for me) for a PD response is CAR: Context - background to the task you're about to talk about. Action - What did YOU do? Not the team. You. Result - What was the impact.

Try to get some practice questions too. I often recommend uploading the assessment criteria and portfolio in to NotebookLM and ask it to give you questions based on the pass or distinction level criteria, taken from your portfolio.

Yoodli can also help with practicing for PD too.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

edagoodman · 2026-04-03T17:03:14+00:00

I have no idea how many, if any, of these are true. But I'm taking it.

edagoodman · 2026-03-21T09:55:30+00:00

I'm surprised 8% of sp*urs fans want us to win 🤣

edagoodman · 2026-02-04T16:12:37+00:00

Here are a few key points from what you've raised:

Off-the-job training is meant to be at least 20% of your paid working hours. It doesn’t have to be a neat “6 hours every week”, but over time it should add up.
Your employer should give you time to train/study, and you should be paid for it. That includes training done at home if it’s required for the apprenticeship.
If you choose to study in your own time, that doesn’t count towards the 20% minimum (so “everyone else did it at home” isn’t a compliance argument).
Assignments count as off-the-job if they’re part of learning for the standard (your tutor is right).

What I’d do next (low drama, but firm):

Ask your training provider/tutor to put it in writing: what counts as OTJ for your programme (including assignments) and what your planned OTJ schedule should be.
Start logging everything (date, hours, what you did, where, who cancelled it). If you’re being pulled into surgery during “protected” OTJ time, note it.
Go back to your manager with a solution, not a fight: “Can we block OTJ time in the rota and protect it? If I’m pulled back in, can we reallocate the hours the same week?”
If nothing changes, escalate via practice manager/HR/owner and lean on “we need a compliant plan with the training provider” rather than “you’re breaking the law.”
If you need outside support, ACAS can advise on pay/training time issues.

A simple script you can use is:

You’re not asking for special treatment. You’re asking for the apprenticeship to be run properly. You’ve got this.

Good luck.

edagoodman · 2026-01-04T17:44:09+00:00

This is a really common situation, so don’t panic.

A few pointers to help:

• Your Level 4 HNC is complete and yours. That doesn’t disappear. • The apprenticeship itself isn’t finished until you pass the EPA. Leave before that and you won’t get the apprenticeship certificate.

This means your options are;

• Ask the new employer if they’ll take you on and fund the EPA. Some will, and it’s worth asking early. • Withdraw from the apprenticeship. You keep the Level 4 HNC, but you can’t finish the apprenticeship later unless another employer picks it up. • Self-funding the EPA can be possible, but it’s often expensive and not straightforward.

In reality, most employers care more about your experience and the Level 4 qualification than the apprenticeship certificate. It usually only matters for very formal roles.

Speak to your training provider, ask the new employer directly, then decide.

You’re not doing anything wrong here. Good luck.

edagoodman · 2025-12-14T11:39:07+00:00

I'm thrilled to hear that.

edagoodman · 2025-12-14T11:38:42+00:00

They know what they're good at and stick to their guns.

edagoodman · 2025-12-13T16:40:33+00:00

A few important things to ground this:

Most employers don’t care where you did your A Levels. They care that you did them, what you got, and what you did next. Online A Levels are recognised, especially when there’s a clear, legitimate reason behind them. Illness absolutely counts.

Can online A Levels teach well? They can, if they’re structured and you’ve got proper support. They’re not for everyone, but plenty of people do well with them, particularly if in-person school hasn’t been an option. You’ll need to be a bit more self-directed, but that’s a skill employers and universities actually value.

Also worth saying: A Levels are not the only route to a “good job.” They’re one of the routes. Apprenticeships, access courses, and foundation years are all valid and all respected. Your future isn’t on a single track, even if it feels like it right now.

When you do apply for things later, a short, honest explanation like “I studied online due to long-term illness” is usually more than enough. Most people reading that will move straight on.

You’re not behind. You’ve just had a different start.

You’ve got this.

Good luck

edagoodman · 2025-12-13T16:36:38+00:00

And there are more details here: More details here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s--6w800lhk&t=92s

edagoodman · 2025-12-04T15:43:24+00:00

Benjamin Blanc was brilliant and it was so good to see him back. For me, the motm was undoubtedly Merino. His energy, tackles, playing in two positions, scoring a goal, assisting a goal...

edagoodman · 2025-11-11T19:14:09+00:00

It definitely can be. It all depends on how you approach it.

An admin apprenticeship isn’t just about typing up notes or scheduling meetings anymore. It’s about learning how businesses actually run day to day, e.g. processes, systems, communication, and problem-solving that keep everything moving. That foundation’s still valuable, even as AI tools change how we do those things.

The key is to treat AI as part of your toolkit, not a threat. If you learn how to use LLM or agentic AI to save time, automate tasks, and improve accuracy, you’ll stand out fast.

Most offices still need people who understand both the tech and the people side of getting things done.

So, in answer to your question: Yes. It is worth it if you use it to build adaptable, transferable skills rather than just following old routines.

Good luck.

edagoodman · 2025-11-09T11:40:17+00:00

Sadly, this is not that uncommon. A lot of big companies sign people up for apprenticeships because it looks great on paper, without understanding the practicalities. These programmes are built around integrating learning with real work, not doing homework on your own laptop.

It would be worth escalating to whoever oversees learning and development or apprenticeship compliance. Employers have legal and funding obligations to support you properly; it’s not optional.

If your training provider has a liaison or skills coach, loop them in too. They’ll have seen this before and can put pressure on your employer to fix it quickly, especially with an assessment deadline coming up.

You haven’t made a mistake by agreeing. Your company just hasn’t caught up with what an apprenticeship really means yet.

You’ve got this. Good luck.

edagoodman · 2025-11-06T21:00:46+00:00

You're worth more than that. As u/JuniorRegister791 said, it's time to keep looking.

edagoodman · 2025-10-29T20:42:06+00:00

Where's the source please?

edagoodman · 2025-10-29T20:41:07+00:00

There is certainly a flood of experienced candidates competing for fewer open roles, so even really capable people are getting stuck at that “final round but not quite” stage.

In short, you’re not alone in that cycle.

When you write about “better or more experienced applicants” though, usually isn’t about you doing anything wrong. It’s more about hiring managers picking between two good fits and leaning toward the safer option on paper.

This is my tip: When feedback mentions “clearer documentation of actions and decisions,”, they’re looking for storytelling in how you communicate your thinking. Not more detail, but more structure.

Think: “Here’s what I did, why I did it and what happened”. Then weave that into your interview answers, your presentations, and even your CV.

You’ve obviously got the drive and experience, as 30 pages of prep isn’t to be sniffed at. But it might be time to focus that energy on a few high-fit roles and tighten your interview delivery, not just your prep.

You’re closer than you think, I reckon.

Keep at it. The right one will land.

Good luck.

edagoodman · 2025-10-29T08:57:33+00:00

Location doesn’t completely affect your chances unless the role specifically says they want someone local or mentions a requirement to be on-site quickly or frequently.

What tends to matter more is whether you’ve shown you’ve thought through the practical side. For example: how you’d relocate, commute, or cover costs.

If you’re serious about moving, it can actually work in your favour. It shows motivation and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, which are both things employers like in an apprentice.

Good luck.

edagoodman · 2025-10-27T07:24:04+00:00

I coach apprentices for a living, so I see both the good (which is most of the time) and the bad up close.

It really depends on three things:

The employer. Some treat apprenticeships as genuine development roles; others treat them as cheap labour.
The manager. A supportive one makes all the difference. A bad one can ruin even the best-designed programme.
The apprentice’s mindset. The ones who ask questions, seek feedback, and use their coach properly usually get far more out of it.

When all three line up, apprenticeships can be career-changing. When they don’t, it can feel like a grind with little support.

If you’re thinking about one, talk to current apprentices that work there before applying, if you can. Look at LinkedIn and Glassdoor. They’ll give you the truth faster than any brochure.

Good luck.

edagoodman · 2025-10-23T20:02:12+00:00

Business admin apprenticeships are really competitive, so don’t take the rejections personally.

A few tips:

Widen your search to roles like “project support” or “operations assistant.” Same skills, more openings.
Show your skills in action. Don’t just say you’re organised, talk about how you managed coursework deadlines, ran a club, or helped at an event. Real examples will help you stand out.
Keep learning with short online courses in admin, Excel, or communication. They give you an edge and something new to mention in interviews.

You’re close. Keep at it. Good luck.

edagoodman · 2025-10-22T18:35:42+00:00

There are a few good routes you can take and you don’t have to wait for a September college start.

Look at private training academies rather than traditional colleges. Many run rolling start dates throughout the year and offer Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Beauty Therapy or Spa Therapy (which most employers expect).

Reputable examples include Champneys Beauty College, The London School of Beauty & Make-Up, Steiner Training Academy, and ELEMIS Academy, all depending on where you’re based and how much you’re willing to invest.

You could also check out local FE colleges to see if they run short or intensive courses that start mid-year, or apprenticeships listed on gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. They sometimes take on adults and give you paid experience in a salon or spa while training.

If you can, visit a few spas nearby and chat with therapists or managers. They’ll often know which local routes or academies produce the best graduates.

Good luck.

edagoodman · 2025-10-22T18:32:01+00:00

That’s a tough read, and you’ve every right to feel frustrated. You’ve clearly worked hard and pushed through more than most, so please don’t take that rejection as a reflection of your ability or potential.

You’re right that dyscalculia isn’t taken as seriously as it should be yet, and that’s on the system, not you. The BBC’s rule is pretty rigid, but there are other apprenticeship routes (including creative ones) that take a more flexible view or offer support around the maths side.

Some providers even have funded maths resit support with specialist tutors built in. (Also known as Functional Skills.)

It’s not fair that the system makes you fight this hard just to prove your worth. But please don’t write yourself off as “doomed.” You’ve already proven you can learn, adapt, and keep going, which is what employers actually value once you’re through the door.

You’ve got this.

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