[BITList] Poles

[HUGH]

Frank,

You asked if UK apprenticeships have gone the way of those in Oz.  I know 
nothing about the Oz situation - over here, unless I'm very much mistaken, 
the old system is dead and buried.  Now we have "modern apprenticeships".  A 
dozen or so people pose  for a photo wearing yellow jackets and hard hats 
(no doubt also heavy gloves, earplugs and boots with steel toecaps). Ages 
range from late teens to the 30s. These are billed as a new intakeof 
apprentices.  They serve 3 years, much of which can be taken up with off the 
job study.  I recall reading that the system I was trained under is 
outmoded.  Had I only known, I'd have spent more time at evening classes and 
less at work.

What is the effect of all this?  BAE Systems in Glasgow have just "launched" 
a bit of an aircraft carrier onto a barge for transport to Rosyth.  I'd say 
it's around a 5th of an aircraft carrier. They seem to have been designing 
and building it for years.  Too many Dayglo jackets and photo opportunities 
and not enough hard arsed engineers.

Hugh.