Real alternative - Apprenticeships on the rise

ONE of the many disheartening consequences of our economic collapse was the all but complete collapse in apprenticeship schemes.

This sad reality, combined with a trend that put an out-of-kilter emphasis on third-level education, served nobody well, least of all those young people who would have thrived as an apprentice but might not have enjoyed more academic study.

Though starting from a pretty low base, the news that the number of apprenticeships in 2015 is expected to be double the 2012 figure is welcome.