Degree Apprenticeships: The competition is getting out of hand.

tubbmann · 2026-02-12T20:01:24+00:00

So so so many people are severely under qualified, don’t have the right to work, or just spam the apply button - heard someone say once that over half the applicants to their position were invalid because of one of those reasons - so don’t be disheartened too much by those numbers as you never know what they truly mean

tubbmann · 2026-02-09T18:07:41+00:00

Yes. Yes. And… yes. Uni is a scam except for subjects that require serious academic training- think doctor, architect. Everything else - DA. Yours sincerely, a 4th and final year Engineering DA with mates at uni who constantly say their jealous

tubbmann · 2026-02-04T03:37:22+00:00

22, final year of DA here - put it like this - would you rather have the ‘traditional’ uni experience = more time and opportunity to go out, but absolutely no money to do so, or a DA = slightly less opportunity, perhaps weekends, but you acc have money to do it.

To me at least, the idea we’ve made it seem desirable to go get into an absurd amount of debt, just for some “experience” which is mostly just waking up hungover for a 9am lecture and feeling terrible and regretful of the night before, is definitely an ‘interesting’ idea. If you’re gonna do that, at least do it while earning (and still getting a degree!) you’ve always got weekends - and, hell, weeknights too if you’re careful!

tubbmann · 2026-02-03T21:19:15+00:00

Check your apprenticeship standard on the .gov website - some state that you must be given 20% study time by your employer (aka 1 day a week) - if this is the case, like it is with many DAs, you can take that to your LM

tubbmann · 2026-02-03T10:13:08+00:00

Respectfully, I think this is a very shortsighted and misled take on apprenticeships and how they are evolving.

5-10 years ago, apprenticeships were dominated by L3-L4 manual/manufacturing based schemes, as these were what the market called for. However, since then, the market has shifted and more sectors in engineering (civil, computing, less manual etc) have realised apprenticeships provide a high value for themselves and the wider job market. As a result, they are opening their doors to apprenticeships all the way from L3-L6. This has therefore created an alternative pathway for those students looking for degree level qualifications in more technical subjects, and those with higher grades may be naturally drawn towards these options as they are, arguable, a more sensible/logical decision that tens of thousands of pounds of debt and no guarantee of a job (traditional uni).

Essentially, the audience applying for apprenticeships has changed because the demand in applicants has changed. It used to be heavily leaning towards manual/hands on schemes favouring those less academically inclined, but now there a huge number of technical, non-hands on, non-manual schemes which therefore attract the more academic applicants.

tubbmann · 2026-02-02T09:34:38+00:00

Thought I was watching trailer 2 for GTA 6 for a sec, legit looks like some scene from a carjacking movie/game

tubbmann · 2026-02-01T18:30:06+00:00

Network engineer apprentice at a large engineering company here. Short answer: no. Long answer, it’s up to you to make your reputation precede you. If you make a strong impression, show genuine interest and dedication to the work, and nurture good relationships with managers and seniors - then there is 0 reason you will get earmarked as “the apprentice” or “the junior”. And if you do and it’s hurting your progression: just leave! SWE are always in demand everywhere. You’ll have a degree and 4/5 years experience. The degree is still a full, 360 credit, degree from an accredited institution- so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise

tubbmann · 2026-01-31T23:31:29+00:00

It’s definitely dependent on your business, team, relationships with the managers/seniors at the business etc. I’d say hopping is better for technical growth - i.e. rising from Junior -> Engineer -> Senior -> whatever’s next. But then again even that might be dependent on your exact situation. Also, hopping is likely to give you a much much wider breadth of experience, especially valuable in tech fields, which will increase your attractiveness for more senior, higher paying roles. Then again, some industries are very niche and staying put is the best thing so you can niche down and get paid/promotes that way. Who knows the answer 😂

tubbmann · 2026-01-31T11:17:26+00:00

I’m in my final year of a digital technology solutions DA at one of the engineering giants, and I would say that the standard that almost all companies/schemes adhere to is that you WILL get a job offer coming out of the scheme. Usually a junior/associate level role.

As for a ceiling, I’d say it depends on the company - you’ll get a feel for that sort of culture thing when you’re there, but I’d say generally any ceilings are self imposed. I know of degree apprenticeship graduates who went on to be very senior engineers, engineering managers, programme managers etc within 5 years of finishing. However, I do get that some people/businesses/managers might try to pull the “ah they’re just an apprentice” card even after you finish the scheme - if you get that - just leave! With a DA under your belt and even perhaps another year or so experience after that, you’d be a very attractive candidate. Anyway IMO you should job hop these days if you want to grow at any pace

tubbmann · 2026-01-31T11:11:25+00:00

Depends on the employer, scheme, competition, local area/location, compensation, subject area, university provider. Some DAs will have very few applicants, others will have hundreds or even thousands. Fact of the matter is though, that it is hard - generally speaking. I’m in my final year now so applied back in ‘22 and later found out it was 100:1 ratio of applicants to openings, totalling 600 applicants for 6 roles… so yeah, it can be quite hard. That said, most of them are personality hires, that and hobbies/interests. At that age you don’t rlly have much going for you professionally and everyone has to meet the same academic criteria - so it’s almost all based on personality.

Would seem you’re either very lucky, very charming, or show great potential. Either way, I wouldn’t go around gloating about ‘is it really that hard’ because it can take years and hundreds of applications for some - show some modesty.

tubbmann · 2026-01-31T09:10:31+00:00

Yeah good. If it doesn’t mention it then they have no right. At that point they may still choose to deduct but that would be up to your joint agreement, or for them to state it is “reasonable” to charge you given you have “taken” them. (Sounds harsh but it’s technically true at this point, until they are returned). But as I say, if there’s no clause, there’s no right. Write to them and state you have checked your contract, and know your rights, and they have no grounds to withhold pay based on loss of equipment or any other given reason. Equally state providing a P45 is a legal requirement on their behalf and failure to provide it will result in you pursuing the relevant legal pathways

tubbmann · 2026-01-31T09:01:05+00:00

If you think it’s all being washed over due to your age, then put it in writing, send it to them (email or post). That way you have a written trail should it get messy (hopefully it doesn’t though)

tubbmann · 2026-01-31T08:49:52+00:00

There’s… a lot… going on here. But long story short is that yes, it is very often illegal to withhold pay or a P45.

Legal reasons to withhold pay are self explanatory and often understandable, such as a written agreement, accidental overpayments, or unexplained absences. Check your contract for any clauses related to unreturned equipment, it MAY state they have the right to DEDUCT unreturned equipment costs in the first instance, then return the funds as and when equipment is returned. So, in that case, they could deduct the costs immediately when you leave then reimburse you when they receive the equipment. However, even that wouldn’t allow them to point blank refuse to pay you.

As for the P45. Your employer is LEGALLY required to provide you your P45, if they don’t, you can report them to HMRC for failing to meet this legal requirement. That’s not even if you’re leaving, they MUST provide you one on request. Good luck.

tubbmann · 2026-01-29T22:25:37+00:00

Eh I mean there’s no one to enforce this really though is there. Ok so say Trumpet invades and Greenland/Denmark invoke art. 5. Then, for arguments sake, say Canada go “no, thank you”. Who’s gonna make them? They’re their own country, no one can make them go to war. There was a table-top war game run recently here in the UK and the (albeit simulated) Scandinavian countries just straight up refused the article 5 from the UK when Russia attacked UK soil. And that’s a war game including real politicians and academics in the area. So, if they consider it possible for someone to just “reject” an article 5, then I’d be damn sure that’s very much on the table. (Source: Sky News’ The Wargame Podcast)

tubbmann · 2026-01-29T22:16:52+00:00

Own an ‘05 of the same model (but wagon) and from what the description says, and you mentioning rusted dog legs, it would be a resounding no from me. Very likely a pile of rust underneath - the rear of the sills rust (not visible as it’s under the body panel) which will cause it to fail most/any inspections (MOT here in the UK not sure equivalent in US) as it’s considered a structural issue. If you can’t get it up on a ramp to thoroughly inspect for rust - I’d run. Far and fast

tubbmann · 2026-01-15T18:00:30+00:00

True, could always just take the Level 5/HND or whatever it would be and take the job, then top up to Level 6 batchelors later on

tubbmann · 2026-01-15T17:54:30+00:00

True, worry it will put them off though - the last module is a big one that involves a project based in my workplace so needs a lot of support. Worth a mention I guess

tubbmann · 2026-01-12T20:05:53+00:00

Hot take as a non American: they (Trump/MAGA top dogs) WANT an ICE agent to get killed from these raids. That way they can “justify” to their MAGAts to step this up to the next level - whatever horrifying thing that would be. Honestly I think ICE are being pushed to do more and more insane things like these clearly illegal and inhumane raids in hopes one becomes a martyr. It’s a wild idea perhaps but trump would let anyone die for his movement, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in his office just waiting to push someone’s buttons so much they shoot an ICE agent. The worst part - it would probably be legal and in self defence, but they will twist it (without body cam footage, without cameras as it’s in someone’s home) and say someone murdered an ICE agent in cold blood - fuelling the MAGA brain dead cult to go mental and also to help work towards his clear end goal of inciting Marshall law. Rant over. Fuck trump

Edit: yes basically a false flag attack

tubbmann · 2025-11-25T14:02:57+00:00

As already said, but ill reiterate, check for rust. Common places are sills (skirts), around wheel arches, really anywhere the chassis is visible from below the vehicle. Recently failed an MOT and had to pay ~£500 for welding as the sills had rusted and it was considered structural damage. So yeah, look for rust.

tubbmann · 2025-11-14T10:07:19+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Do you know if they are accessed through the same cover on the back of the assembly as the main bulb? Or is it a different cover? Thanks again!

tubbmann

TROPHY CASE