Returning from a break in learning

They can return on any quals but not usually the Standard. You'd need to withdraw the original enrolment (including the qual they're continuing), and just start the qual again as college based. We've had that happen a few times, the student is allowed to continue a Diploma from the apprenticeship, but we still get a withdrawal on the Standard. The college based bit may or may not be 16-18 or AEB funded, depending on the qual and student circumstances.

The Standard can't be completed without an employer unless they were made redundant and have less than a specified amount to complete (the conditions are in the rules). For 23/24 starts, they'll be allowed to continue with no employer as long as they were already at gateway, but then you wouldn't be applying in that circumstance.