Return of the Real Apprentices

Episode image for Return of the Real Apprentices

Duration: 30 minutes

Panorama follows the fortunes of four young people searching for work in Swindon. The programme first met them in 2007 and set them real-life Apprentice-style work challenges, with dramatic results. Since then the recession has struck, and hit Swindon - and their prospects - hard. How have they responded?

  • Job tip for Neets: 'Get a haircut'

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    Lord Digby Jones, the plain-speaking captain of industry, offers some straight advice to two of Britain's million-strong army of jobless young people.

  • Would you hire British workers?

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    A Polish immigrant who rose from minimum wage employee to cafe owner explains what it takes to get him to give you a job.

  • Britain's young 'Neets' face the reality of recession

    Panorama returns to Swindon in recession to catch up with four young men who were unemployed at the height of economic boom.

    Read reporter Vivian White's feature
  • Lord Digby Jones says Britain needs US-style 'workfare'

    The former industry minister and business leader Digby Jones says it is time Britain adopted a strict US-style 'workfare' system for the chronically unemployed.

    Read about the 'workfare' call
  • Real Apprentices: The updates

    Panorama caught up with four young 'Neets' they first met in 2007.

    Here is what they are up to today.
  • 'Make 'em work' - could workfare work for Britain?

    Panorama reported on the 'workfare' system in the United States in it's film 'Make 'em Work' first broadcast on 6 April 1986. Watch an archive clip from that film here on the Panorama blog.

    Read and join in the debate on 'workfare' on the Panorama blog
  • Your comments

    Read a selection of your comments on the programme
  • Panorama 2000 to present

    If you'd like to know more about Panorama programmes dating back to 2000, including features, transcripts, video content and more, please click on the link below.

    Browse the Panorama archive

Credits

Presenter
Jeremy Vine
Reporter
Vivian White
Producer
Patrick Barrie

Broadcasts

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