Apprenticeships are not what they used to be, unfortunately successive governments have played down the importance of the apprentice. It is a known fact that the UK decided in the late 1970's early 1980's to move away from manufacturing as a mainstay of commerce and move in on the lucrative banking markets. If you look at all the countries around the world who still have a strong manufacturing base you will see that they are now doing better to recover than countries like ours.
I first started in electronics, and moved into electrical installation later because it looked hands on and interesting,at the time I had done almost two years at college, two phone calls later and I was on another course with a new employer. That would never happen in this day and age, it took about half an hour for me to change jobs, and course!
Today it would take a dedicated person months if not years to do the same.
