Here is some background for people not in the UK, or perhaps not familiar with how things have changed in post 16 education. I am not an expert but I am plannin

Here is some background for people not in the UK, or perhaps not familiar with how things have changed in post 16 education. I am not an expert but I am planning to employ some people under these new schemes so have been reviewing it. At 16 you can either enter more education or do an apprenticeship that includes training. Classically one might study A levels until 18 and apply for university, or go the vocational route and do an apprenticeship. Companies in the retail sector like John Lewis, created retail apprenticeships. This involves getting paid £4.30 (for reference minimum wage for an adult over 23 not on an apprenticeship is £8.91) an hour to stand at a till. The company is supposed to in return provide a qualification and allow the staff 20% of their time to study for it. The government pay for the training, although larger companies have to contribute. One might suggest that the people applying for retail apprenticeships are going to be at the lower end of academic attainment. Now I read this article, and I see John Lewis complaining that they are having to train there people they have contracted to train and are working for a pittance to get.