The means of an apprentice

We wonder why employers are reluctant to take on apprentices and are forced to ask government for help with funding

I was interested to read your article on training in october PE.

It said that a survey by the EEF revealed that a technician apprentice in the manufacturing industry could earn £9,000 (year 1) £11,000 (year 2) £14,000 (year 3) and £16,000 (year 4).

I found my 'nostalgia' file from the loft and my original conditions of technical apprenticeship served with A.Reyrolle & Co, the world famous switchgear company, on Tyneside starting in January 1958.

The rates of pay were 57s 9d (year 1) 65s 8d (year 2) 89s (year 3) 104s 3d (year 4) and 123s 1d (year 5). A rough calculation reveals the current pay has increased by a factor of 60. And we wonder why employers are reluctant to take on apprentices and are forced to ask government for help with funding.

I had a very good comprehensive training at Reyrolle who employed probably about 200 technical apprentices in a workforce of 8,000 at Hebburn. I didn't feel underprivileged or underpaid, lived in the family home and managed to pay my way without difficulty, although I had a bike instead of a car as an Issigonis Mini in 1959 cost £449 which was well beyond the means of an apprentice. 

Today's apprentice would be required to pay £25,000 for a similar small basic car (instead of £8,000).

Where did it all go wrong?

Len Macfarlane, Linlithgow, West Lotian

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