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Apprentices & Early Careers
1 in 3 apprentices in our sector never completes their programme. Most had the talent to succeed.
The gap between starting an apprenticeship and finishing it is filled with real-world pressures, financial shocks, isolation, imposter syndrome, and the sheer cost of showing up every day.
Rainy Day Trust exists to close that gap.
We provide two things young people in the home improvement and building products sector need most: practical crisis support when things go wrong, and the skills and networks to make sure they don’t.
How we help
Ways we support young workers
From immediate crisis support when things go wrong, to personal development through our apprentice and early careers ambassador programme.
Emergency financial support
When financial pressure threatens to end an apprenticeship, we step in fast. Our crisis grants cover the real costs that stand between a young person and their future.
Travel & getting to work
Getting to work is non-negotiable, but for many apprentices, transport costs are a barrier. We provide assistance with travel costs to ensure distance or expense is never a reason to drop out.
Work clothing, PPE & tools
We help apprentices access the workwear, personal protective equipment, and tools they need to walk in on day one ready and confident.
Laptops & learning technology
Many apprentices require digital equipment and online resources. We can provide laptops and tablets so that technology is never a barrier.
Apprentice Ambassadors
Our accredited training programme equips apprentices / early careers workers with practical wellbeing skills, peer support tools, and resilience strategies supporting themselves and their colleagues throughout their programme.
Wraparound support
Ambassador training is just the start. Participants also benefit from workplace visits, access to our confidential crisis helpline and a supportive peer network, a community that lasts the length of their apprenticeship and beyond.
Common questions
Any apprentice or early careers worker employed within the home improvement, housewares, and building products sector can access our support, including those in DIY retail, builders merchants, garden centres, nurseries, and potteries.
Your employer does not need to be a Rainy Day Trust partner for you to apply for crisis assistance.
We help with a wide range of practical costs, including travel to work, work clothing and PPE, laptops and tablets for coursework, rent and housing costs, utility bills, food, and other essential household expenses. If a cost is making it harder to stay in your apprenticeship, it’s worth speaking to us.
We aim to respond to crisis applications as quickly as possible, prioritising cases of genuine urgency.
Call our confidential helpline on 0800 915 46 27 or apply online to begin.
It’s a CPD-accredited, full-day training programme (10am–4pm) designed specifically for apprentices and early careers workers in our sector.
Across five modules, participants build wellbeing knowledge, learn to support colleagues, and leave with a practical 90-day action plan.
Yes. Participants receive a CPD certificate on completion, a recognised, transferable credential that adds real value to a young person’s professional record.
You can refer an apprentice for crisis support directly via our FFBS service, or contact our team to discuss enrolling a apprentice on our Apprenticeship and Early Careers Ambassadors Programme
We work across the sector to identify and support young people early, before difficulties compound.
Crisis support is available regardless of partnership status. If your employer isn’t yet a partner, we’d love to introduce them to what partnership means, it opens up a much wider range of wellbeing support for your whole workforce.
Ready to support your apprentices?
Whether you’re an employer, training provider, or a young person navigating your first role, we’re here. Become a Rainy Day Trust Partner to access the full range of support for your workforce.
Find out what partnership means.