Politicians and firms must back apprenticeships

From: Keith Bagot, The Terrace, Honley, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.

I THINK it is about time our Government got to grips with and sorted out the apprenticeship schemes. It was a Labour government that got rid of the old apprenticeship scheme that was tried and tested for many years. Why? To push our school leavers into the university system, and look where we are now.

We need the big industries, medium and small companies to work with our Government to set up real apprenticeships for our youngsters. Not a six-month one, a real one where the youngsters learn and gain all the experience of a proper trade.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At this moment in time our youngsters are either getting paid for doing nothing on Jobseeker’s Allowance. Would it not be better to pay the minimum wage to a company that will guarantee a three or four-year apprenticeship?

We need desperately to fill our skills shortages with apprenticeship training. We need to maintain and build up our manufacturing industries, as the skill shortages are depleting rapidly.

Pushing our youngsters into university has not worked, now the youngsters have to pay for their education. University is not for everyone!

Then after all the years of study, graduation comes, but with no job at the end of it all.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is time the Government started investing in our youngsters instead of finding excuses not to.

Cancel all overseas aid until our own country is back on its feet.

We here in the United Kingdom have our own problems, so let’s put those right before giving handouts to many other nations.