Australian CASA reports that the average age of LAMES in Oz is 57 and rising. There are few or no apprentices being employed, the airlines won't take on LAMEs unless you're already licensed on their type and of course, one can't get licenced until one has experience, I see the vicious circle spiralling downward when it comes to skilled LAMEs. The place I work for has 7 regional airliners and 3 LAMES, no AMEs or apprentices and we're expected to cover those aircraft flying 10 hours a day each (I work on 1 hour flying = 1 hour maintenance)