Giving up with Apprenticships + need advice or anything

Hello everyone,
I'm an level leaver of 2024 - ABB in graphic design, history and english. I decided to opt for an apprenticeship because I like working and wanting to gain experience. Ppl told me what was the point of working for my grades if I was gonna do one.
Atp, for a whole year, I haven't been able to land anything in the design or creative industry - not even some work experience. I've tried retail jobs for the time being but I've been rejected from Iceland, Sports Direct etc. The only job I have is a zero hour contract stadium job (3 shifts a month).
Idk if anyone's in the same boat as me trying to get one. I had one interview luckily but rejected and one interview with the college training provider last week. That's all I've had. At this college, I heard sm ppl having experience so I'm doubtful.
I jsut feel depressed? That I didn't go to uni and I see everyone enjoying themselves with friends and life at uni while I'm slaving away at home with nothing to do. I think also the expectations from my teachers made me feel this way with being labelled, as hardworking and their high aspirations for me to go to uni for design or art.
I had to see the art tech the other day and when I told him I haven't got one yet he jsut went 'oh' and asked how my other friends were.
Idk I feel bummed about everything with the little luck. This is just a rant but i want to know if ppl feel the same as me.

Hi! I am currently a year 13 student and although I haven’t gone through this I can definitely see where your coming from. Some people put high expectations and labels on you but that can definitely be pressuring. In regards with apprenticeships, many people do take gap years to get one and of course it’s extremely competitive now as many students now solely focus on getting one. At the end of the day you should follow your heart, over the few months I have been thinking about how nice a debt free job would be like, but I have recently realised I won’t really enjoy this. It is a overly glamorised field tbh, and it is hard work. I also thought that social life would be different for sure, it would be hard to make close bonds in work life compared to uni when you develop bonds through hardships and stuff. But honestly the gap year you took, don’t look at it as a negative. Many people go through the same situation and it honestly shows your perseverance. There is still time to apply for universities although the deadline is gone, there is less equal consideration but of course there is also clearing. You did your best and that’s what counts!! There are honestly not many creative apprenticeships available and especially DAs. It’s never too late to go for what you truly want so I would just say follow your heart! I hope this helped and I hope you do feel better eventually.

hiya thank you for this! on other sights ppl are so critical of this kind of thing. Yeah, its looking unrealistic with things but I know my parents are really against university. I thin about the future and how even going to uni i might be in the same boat. im trying to stay positive here and keep persevering. i forgot you can still apply at clearing even if I havent put an application in 🙂 thank you for these words! good luck to you!

You don't have to wait until clearing. Even though the equal consideration has passed, you can still put a UCAS application in now with five choices as many courses will still be open. Just check with each uni before you apply. Do both - apply to UCAS and keep looking for apprenticeships. Next week is National Apprenticeship Week so new opportunities might be listed to coincide with it. Also, see if there is an in-person event in your area where you can go and chat to employers.
https://naw.appawards.co.uk/

Hey, it's not just you; the job market in the UK isn't great right now, so many people are finding it harder to get jobs or apprenticeships. Don't be hard on yourself My very smart friends found it hard but got apprenticeships now. What type of creative apprenticeships are you looking for? There are quite a few marketing and social media apprenticeships on the government website. I'd say focus on whats in your control and keep applying, continue to improve your CV and interviewing skills and dont let other peoples expectations hold you down. It'll take some time, but it can be worth it. Also, realize that deciding to go to university doesn't guarantee an easy job search afterward. Many people are struggling, so your friends having fun now may face similar challenges later on. If you do choose university, think about what you want to achieve and what you want to gain from it after you finish. Don't rush into university just to fill time and hope for the best afterward.

Hiya, thank you for your advice🙂. That's exactly how I'm trying to take it - nothing guarantees you a job, no matter what. Just annoyed my friend had one application and got a job first try after college (working in primary education after but she doesn't have maths and this is also her first ever job) but I've had to try so hard to even get a response - 2 phone calls, 1 interview, nothing and a college interview that I have never heard back from. The Gov apprentice site is my go to atm, which has got some good things to apply for so imma keep going but its more I'm bored, annoyed and frustrated that my part time (3 shifts a month isnt getting me anywhere in money terms).

Hey, have you considered volunteering? It's great for getting work experience and there's a wide range of volunteering opportunities out there. I have seen a few creative volunteering jobs going, like photography and website design, and there is always volunteering opportunities in industries like retail, admin, conservation etc. If you want to gain some experience to help with even just getting a job in retail then volunteering may help? Charity shops are always looking. I'm a volunteer in a British Red Cross store as I'm on a gap year and am in the same boat with job searching. I volunteered to get some retail experience. I've applied to so many jobs since the summer and the only one I got was a Christmas temp at Tesco. I think volunteering may also give you something to do in the meantime, to take your mind off the job searching. There may be online courses to give you a more specific qualification in the career you're intereted in, from level 1 and above there are courses that you may get funding for if you are out of education and above 19, which may give you more experience.
Also, I understand the feeling of seeing people leave for uni and feeling behind. I had to retake another year for my gcses (as I was homeschooled and so when exams were cancelled during covid I couldn't get predicted grades!). And now I'm on a gap year so compared to some of my friends I'm two years behind. Life isn't a race though and there's more mature students at uni or starting apprenticeships than you'd think. Also, there is a big demand for early years workers and apprentices - so I imagine that's why your friend managed to find work so quickly. Every industry requires different paths to go down, don't be hard on yourself about what others around you are doing right now