hi there. i am new to this thread too. i am in a similar position also. I have passed all fe-1s since last nov & have been looking for an apprenticeship since beginning of 2006 with no luck. I am on the verge of giving up & am definetely looking into my other options. I was wondering does anyone know what other options are open to me? I have a business degree as well as a law degree & currently work in the customer service area of a financial organisation. I was thinking about applying to the banks etc. as they may have more options than my current organisation. I'm situated in the west & don't want to move if poss.What do people do if they don't get apprenticeships or do you just keep trying?
I am at the stage where I just want a decent job.
An apprenticeship is about as far from a decent job as you can get. You are truly at the bottom of the food chain and reminded of it on a daily basis, in particular by those who have no concept of what it means to be educated (my unfortunate experience in an office where the receptionists and some secretaries had ridiculous notions about themselves). The money is awful, you're treated like dirt, a lot (not all) of the work is monotonous and sometimes soul-destroying. I'm not sure I'd go through it again given the option. It's baffling why so many people want to become solicitors.
That's a shame Trafford. What are you considering changing to? If it's any consolation I regret not having opted for primary school teaching. It's not viable for me to pursue it at this stage. Best of luck with your decision.
I am dismayed by the negative experiences of some of the contributors here. While I cannot refute the various assertions made, I do think some small contribution is called for to balance the debate a little:
"You are truly at the bottom of the food chain and reminded of it on a daily basis, in particular by those who have no concept of what it means to be educated"
I remember being at the bottom of the food chain when I was an apprentice; It didn't seem that bad; somebody has to be at the bottom of the office pecking order; at least the apprentice has the comfort that his\her status is temporary. I can't imagine that it would be at all helpful to point out to other office staff that they have no concept of what it means to be educated. If as an apprentice my attitude had been informed by such an outlook, I imagine this would have shown, and would not have helped me.
"The money is awful"
It's not great; but it's not that terribly bad. For the employer, when you take account of time actually worked, the cost of a trainee equates to paying someone circa. €30k per annum. Not a fortune, but you can see why many solicitors would prefer to hire an experienced secretary or legal executive.