I’m drifting slightly, but several years ago I was talking to a guy who could make just about anything out of a piece of metal, especially if it needed milling or turning. He was just short of retirement, but he told me that when he started his apprenticeship, he was one of an intake of 120 for that year and that was for his trade. At that time, our company had got rid of apprentices and we talked about where his replacement would come from. We knew of very few companies that took on more than two or three.
We now have modern apprenticeships, but whilst they are welcome, they don’t have the same depth that we used to have. Still, better than none at all.
As has been pointed out, we are suffering from a skills shortage everywhere and although companies desperately need the staff, they are reluctant to invest in training because it adds cost to the bottom line. Unfortunately, those in charge are looking to the now and not the future. Beags mentioned that he was told that “it’s someone else’s problem”. Unless we can change that mentality, these issues will get worse.