Well done again Labour
A report warns the UK is "at risk of a lost generation" with number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work, education or training set to rise to 1.25 million by 2031.
www.bbc.co.uk
I do think someone in power needs to think about they encourage employers to get school leavers into their business (workforce). High starting salaries is a disincentive to employ along with high NI costs and, sadly private pension figures.
My first apprenticeship (C&J) wage was around 35% of a skilled man - and all I learnt was how to clean previously used timber for reuse (and introduced to Mrs Sweeping Brush

), that lasted 5 months before I was moved on with the reduction in orders for the company. My second apprenticeship, a 'Banksman' lasted 8 months at the same salary but I also was qualified as a travelling crane operator and trained but not qualified as a Fork Lift driver before I moved onto my 3rd apprenticeship which I stayed with.
Had I not managed to get the 3rd apprenticeship I would probably have become Self Employed with encouragement from the family becoming part of the building industry 'Lump' in the 1970's - which in many ways is where I ended up up as a C&J in my 60's.
Today, the minimum wage surely has to be a discouragement to take on unskilled school leavers, not just their wage (60,70% ? of a skilled man), but the other costs (N.I., Pension, Training/College, increased time for the skilled man to show/instruct and complete their work) and will the youth stay with the job? (And I know I'm not a good model in that respect).
Bring back indentured apprentices at affordable wages is my opinion.