Surely this is where the government should be able to step-in and provide more incentives for businesses to take on apprentices. I would imagine it being cheaper longer term to invest in someone getting a trade, than some leeching of the state and contributing little – except offspring.

I agree with apprentiships. O.K. I know it’s pro rata, but when I did my 42 hrs week as an apprentice fitter, on steam and diesel, I took home 50 pence a week, even though I was doing the same work as a qualified fitter, these Companies ought to jump at the chance of cheap labour.
I remember my 1st day, the fitter I was seconded to told me to clean all the tools we had used that day,I told him as HE had used them, he should clean them. The next thing I remember I was lying on the floor. Never said that again, I think if I remember correctly it’s called RESPECT been lost and gone a long while ago. I went to colledge once a week, and obtained my C&G. and what did I learn?.
I learned, that through life, one had to often take a step back, and figure things out yourself, go to the Library and look things up if the answer your looking for is not at hand. I had a motorcycle when I was an apprentice, and the times that that machine was taken apart and put back together again, well I lost count, skimming heads, porting inlet and exhaust ports etc, I could never have done that without gaining all I had through an apprentiship, and respect was learned the very first day on the job.
Today, I have just been told by my daughter, that my 13 yrs old Grand son has had his ANDROID phone stolen at school, why do kids need a phone at school.
I recently made a purchase at a shop, and asked, and was given a 10% discount, imagine my absolute surprise when the young, well, young to me,girl, got a calculator out, to work out what the 10% discount would come to, I had worked it out as soon as I was told I could have the discount.
The teachers have had their power to whack the trouble makers taken away from them, I remember the odd times I had to stand outside the Headasters door, to be given a good caning for just talking during the lesson.
I say, bring back the good old days, better still, somewon start dishing out respect.

Lincoln .7