loftyeric2 wrote:
I'm absolutely in favour of apprenticeships, particularly at the craft level of work. Maybe it's just my narrow view of things, but these days everything seems focussed at higher academic study, not at the practical, hands on end of the spectrum. It seems to me young people are being steered, often inappropriately, towards university, to get degrees in crap like 'Media Studies' & 'Sports Science' & suchlike, when actual skill based jobs need filling with interested & capable people. Tell me if I'm wide of the mark here, because I don't have kids, but this is the way it comes over to me, just from what I hear.
Yes, absolutely right Lofty. I do a lot of careers events so see this at first hand. Inclusiveness policies mean that some kids who wouldn't have previously considered uni are being steered that way. I'm all for people acheiving their potential, but uni/classroom based learning is not for everyone and Mickey Mouse degrees (golf course management, media studies et al) are about as much use as a chocolate teapot, hence the amount of graduates out of work. The craft based jobs need to be promoted as a rewarding and worthwhile career. It almost seems its getting to be a crime to be working class, with the old style jobs not being considered as an option. What happened to the old technical colleges? Both my father and brother acheived engineering qualifications this way. Many people learn skills best in a practical environment. It also means essential skills are being passed on at first hand. A skilled craftsman, whatever environment he or she works in is every bit as valuable as a first class university graduate. A lot of the tutors I work with don't have degrees, just vocational qualifications, experience and expertise, all are passionate about passing on their skills and inspiring young people.