Learn a skill

IN THE Sixties, I worked for a company that had trade apprenticeships, university sandwich apprenticeships and day release support.

In 1970 equal pay legislation was extended to include apprentices after pressure from unions. Within two years, the company apprenticeship schemes were closed on economic grounds.

What a shame that so many young people were deprived of the opportunity of learning a lifetime skill on lower pay scales. Today, they have to pay £9,000 a year for a degree with no guarantee of acquiring a skill needed for work, and end up with a debt millstone around their necks.

ALAN STACKMAN, Calne, Wilts.