Hi my son is due to finish his a levels he has done an advance diploma in IT which is the equivilent of 3 a levels. He applied for an apprenticeship in web design but has been told he is over qualified and the government wont fund it. As his a levels are the same as a level 3 apprenticeship, I really dont no were to go from here. He wouldnt hack uni so thats not an option and he hasnt got enough experience for an IT job. Any advice would be greatly received Thanks

How old is he? What in particular does he want to do in relation to IT? It's a broad field and there's a lot of options available. Does he build/fix machines in his spare time or is his knowledge restricted to learning/course/educational IT stuff?

If he really does know what he's doing and knows how to fix windows machines there's no reason why he couldn't get a low level IT job (helpdesk or data analyst or repair tech) and move through the IT ranks while he persues qualifications on his own. If he can't get a job doing that he could take literally anything while he did other qualifications outside of schools/universities. MCSE/MCDST/MCSA or his A+ or even cisco stuff are all options available for qualifications.

He's fortunate that the IT industry is great when it comes to employing people based on ability rather than the paper they have.

Tis a shame, unfortunately, from what ive heard, apprenticeships are being "very" picky over who they accept nowadays, because they are severely limited to how many people they can take on.

Im guessing that as he has a major IT qualification already, which I am admittadly presuming he was trained for free, they are probably going along the lines of give the apprenticeship to someone who has nothing and also wants to train in IT.

He should be able to get a job off the back of a diploma, even moreso if he is actually good in practice (and not just in theory like a lot of people). It's a tough market out there, but he has to keep trying - maybe even applying for non-IT jobs, office jobs etc, even retail jobs etc, so he can get some work history, and more importantly, employer references under his belt first. Its better to work your way up, than wait for a job to land at your feet.

I've spent my entire working life since 1976 in IT. It's changed quite a lot.

My advice would be get into any aspect of IT anywhere, once you are in, then the opportunities start to appear. Hard work is usually acknowledged and recognised.

Don't get too hung up on one aspect or area. It may be in fashion this week, but it won't be next week. You need to be adaptable, and knowledgeable. The other year it was Oracle DBA's, once it was MVS systems programmers, then Dec, then web designers, now it's phone app designers. It changes all the time.

This is a ' minefield ' and your son should seek impartial , professional advice
from the Connexions Service . Do not believe info or advice from school teachers. They have a vested interest in keeping students in their 6th forms when sometimes they would be better off leaving school after Year 11 or 12. You say your son has an advanced Diploma in I.T. which is equivalent to 3 A levels and then you say that he is due to finish his A Levels ? Someone has given you duff info somewhere along the line . Do not go to a Job Centre for advice please as they do not have the knowledge or experience to deal with education leavers.You say your son would not " hack ' University and yet he might have the
equiv of 6 A levels soon !! Uni"s don,t just offer Degree courses but many other
Diplomas and Industry acceptable qualifications . Other options might be avail
via Further Ed, Colleges . There WILL be a way through . Do not despair !

Give CPL Training a call, they are a great organisation and someone there will be able to give you the best advice. They are a local company based down near Egerton Bridge, funding for apprentiships and training has changed a lot recently. If there is funding available they will know where he needs to apply.

connexions are his best bet or another training company whose apprentices are funded by the SFA.
ive worked in apprenticeship funding for 20 years and im afraid what he has been told about the government not funding any further qualifications as what he has got is the equivalent to an apprenticeship is correct.
id strongly recommend connexions (i dont work for them but have dealt with them on many occasions).
cpl training are an SFA sub contracted company and can only give advice on the field they operate in and as far as i know its not IT, more hospitality, bar service, business administration etc.
hope you get the advice you need.