Apprenticeships and Work Experience

[Dry Rot]

Listening to R4 at sparrow cheep this morning, I heard the subject of the header mentioned. There has always been a knowledge gap between those who are employable because they have relevant experience and those who can't get a job because they haven't!

Is there anyone here who knows about government schemes that supplement the wages of those in training and are they worth persuing?

I have young people wanting to work with me but, due to being on a pension and not 'trading' any longer, I cannot afford to pay them (much). And, I understand that these days, youngsters need money to pay for the car, etc. I get plenty of inquiries, but when they hear it is voluntary or a very low wage, they move on to MacDonald's or Tesco's. A pity when there is a lifetime of knowledge going to waste.

I did have a young person referred to me many years ago who wanted to work in kennels but it just got more and more complicated! The red tape was horrendous. I was quite relieved when she decided to go into hair dressing instead! I have had many since, some who have worked for nothing and others on a starvation wage, all say they have learnt, but there must be something better, surely? Who do I ask?

 

[JP1]

Listening to R4 at sparrow cheep this morning, I heard the subject of the header mentioned. There has always been a knowledge gap between those who are employable because they have relevant experience and those who can't get a job because they haven't!

Is there anyone here who knows about government schemes that supplement the wages of those in training and are they worth persuing?

I have young people wanting to work with me but, due to being on a pension and not 'trading' any longer, I cannot afford to pay them (much). And, I understand that these days, youngsters need money to pay for the car, etc. I get plenty of inquiries, but when they hear it is voluntary or a very low wage, they move on to MacDonald's or Tesco's. A pity when there is a lifetime of knowledge going to waste.

I did have a young person referred to me many years ago who wanted to work in kennels but it just got more and more complicated! The red tape was horrendous. I was quite relieved when she decided to go into hair dressing instead! I have had many since, some who have worked for nothing and others on a starvation wage, all say they have learnt, but there must be something better, surely? Who do I ask?

I listened too, although that was part way through my morning !

I think the issue was quite well covered. 60 or so countries work with an apprentice levy but many (not all) Nations have a regulated apprenticeship structure. Here any levy is mostly seen as a tax as the Government decides which numpty programme to sponsor via "agencies" or it just goes in to the general tax take pot.

I think it's very laudable that you want to impart and transfer your knowledge to the next generations , I wish I'd learnt more from my Father while I could.

Probably the biggest structural impacts (which have been well known for years) are having a system that prevents good employers having their apprentices nicked (think Rolls Royce aero engines etc) and the total lack of respect for trades vs university educated folks in the UK compared with - say - Germany.

 

[Dry Rot]

Well, my aims are not entirely altruistic! I do get cheap labour....but most say they enjoy it and learn, but modern youngsters do seem to need cash. I got the jist of what you have kindly reminded me was broadcast on R4 but I still don't know much about the schemes or how to get some money.

I think there was something on TV (Ch5?) last night about one of these agencies that had scammed the governmemt out of millions by fraudulently pretending to provide training. All I am wanting is a few crumbs!

When I was young, I hitch-hiked around the country and pushed a broom in many different establishments in return for room and board and getting experience. That was the only way to learn what I was interested in -- training and working dogs and hawks -- totally useless and interests that have kept me in poverty for most of my life!

I was at vet college (briefly) and I cannot remember animal behaviour or training even being mentioned, though I do think things have improved a lot. However, the vet who came to microchip a lively yearling still left the gate open every time he went back to his van to collect something, so obviously not much!