Advertisement
Crossing Continents

11:00 - 11:30

Alan Johnston returns to the West Bank town of Nablus to see how life has changed there.

Coming up at: 11:30

Open the Vaults

View full schedule

« Previous | Main | Next »

Conjuring apprenticeships?

Jennifer Tracey | 10:45 UK time, Tuesday, 13 January 2009

Vision On: The Sorcerer's Apprentice (BBC, 1964)

'My husband's grandson has been an apprentice mechanic for a firm selling new cars..and has one year left to go to complete his apprenticeship.

He's now been made redundant and although the company has agreed to pay for his college course for the remainder of the academic year, it is up to him to find his own practical placement. He is unable to qualify without the practical placement.'
writes Melissa Bassil

The government's announced it will create 35,000 new apprenticeships to help with employment during the downturn.

But is anything being done to safeguard those currently in training?

Got a similar tale? About to embark on an apprenticeship programme? Comment below or drop us a line.

Comments

or register to comment.

  • 1. At 1:03pm on 14 Jan 2009, cat_lady wrote:

    Thank God for that. Far far better that some young people with relevant talents go off and learn a trade, on the job, whist being paid, than embarking on inappropriate college or university courses, Mickey Mouse or otherwise.. This might lead to a reduction in debts from student loans, and a removal of the need for more affluent parents to feel that they 'should' buy-to-let a flat, or 'should' pay their offspring through university. Time our sons and daughters became more self-sufficient. Oops! Rant over. c/lx

    Complain about this comment

  • 2. At 7:10pm on 17 Jan 2009, gigglejb wrote:

    Hi,

    I'm sure Cat Lady was praising the govt for creating 35,000 apprenticships but just incase there is any confusion. Melissa was talking about her step grandson who went off 16months ago (yes with some help from his family but nothing wrong with that!) and got himself an apprenticeship in the motor trade. For 16 months he's gone out to work on a very low wage. His college placement Melissa talks about is day release, which you have to do in an apprenticeship to qualify. He's half way through and wants to work but is now redundant. Loved the piece IPM RADIO 4 it was about time someone brought this subject up!

    Complain about this comment

View these comments in RSS

Explore the BBC

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.