The young unemployed (2)

A great tragedy of our time is the failure to recognise that education is more than book-learning. Boys in particular need to DO things. Engaging them is crucial. Not everyone is academic, and giving them hand/eye skills while they are enjoying themselves has probably more value in turning them into useful citizens than compelling them to stay at school while switched off from learning: The sad current state of affairs for many.

We shouldn't underestimate the ability of our children, but we must fire them up.  My father (or your grandfather) probably left school at fourteen, possibly knowing more arithmetic and better able to read and write than some of those we see coming out of too many of our schools today.
  In Lithuania, one specialist aviation school teaches nine-year-olds to fly gliders - using the highly adventurous solo method. The kids lap it up, and most go on to become proper engineers. 

Day-release from work to go to college worked for my generation. Why not day release to go to work for fourteen-year olds? Working hands-on as, say, an apprentice joiner soon shows the lad (or ladess) the utility of geometry when they help set out their first circular bay window, or wreathed and scrolled handrail: An aspiring mechanic (fitter, more like) needs to appreciate the difference between a force-fit, a running fit, and slop, in a mechanism.

We need to see a return to vocational training at school as another route into industry, as a stepping stone to better things. That's the REAL advantage of an apprenticeship.