Is it now time for National Service to be brought back?

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/6b5bqqf

With numerous ex-service camps now becoming vacant due to the decrease in military spending, the fears of the increase of obesity amongst our young, no jobs to go to when leaving school and judging by this report the unfitness among our young, the time is now perfect for the introduction of a National Service scheme.

This need not be a military based National Service, more of a skills training service.

Upon leaving school both boys and girls would be obliged to leave their home surrounding and be shipped to these camps, which would be run by all those redundant service personal and older experienced tradesmen, who are finding it hard to get a job due to their age.

Before anyone says "how is the country going to pay for this scheme"? Well taking into account the savings in the various spin-offs of this scheme, it would be almost self financing.

[Oneeyedvic]

When you mentioned National Service, my inital thoughts were absolutely not. But when you bring in the Skills Training, then I would agree whole heartedly - in fact, not just service personnel and trades people, but also other 'skills' such as typing, customer services and even shop assistant training - anything practical that can help people get 'proper' training.

I would happily agree that anyone under the age of 24 could not claim benefits unless enrolled and attending such courses as well as being up to a certain standard.

[Old_Geezer]

More of the State interfering in the lives of the individuals that make up the State Authorities should realise they are the servants of the people not its masters. What is reasonable in times of national crisis are unacceptable at other times. Skills training should be on offer anyway, to attract volunteers.

[B00]

"More of the State interfering in the lives of the individuals that make up the State Authorities should realise they are the servants of the people not its masters. "

Perhpas if these youngsters money wasn't coming from the state, or in other words me and you, your argument would be valid Old Geezer.

[Oneeyedvic]

If you don't want state interference Old_Geezer, then presumably you don't want the state to give benefits to people who aren't working - this is of course 'interfering'

[jackthehat]

The trouble, as I see it, is that there has been so much emphasis placed on the 'scholars' amongst our school-children that those less academically inclined, or those opposed to bookish-learning have been marginalised.

I agree that there ought to be far greater importance given over to vocational training; quite whether this needs to be carried out at former military-bases is debateable, though.

[modeller]

Governments have been obsessed with turning everyone into brain surgeons by dumbing down all the examinations , when what we need are apprenticeships and training in all the jobs that run the economy. Apart from the high drop out rate at Unis many of those who do get a degree end up on the dole . All the degree does is to tell the employer you are pretty bright but in most cases you have no skill of immediate use to the company.

[B00]

how about a middle ground Triggs? Say if after a year of leaving school you aren't in further education, training or working?

[theshedman]

Hi, never replied to one of your threads before but I like the sound of this one in principle anyway. When so many young people have never worked since leaving school it would give them a chance to sample it and learn a skill at the same time.

[marval]

Well we need something like this, they should not be able to just leave school and claim benefit. All people who are not going to university, or straight into a job, should be put on a skills course. If they refuse simple, no money, but we do need to give them an incentive though. How can so many be on incapacity benefit, you can bet your life they are not all sick.

[B00]

Thing is most of these youngsters are brought up in an environment where it's almost not acceptable to work for a living. I read somewhere, probably newspaper article or something, that we are now on a third generation of families that have never worked. What i mean is, the grandpaparents never have, neither have the parents.

We need "something" to happen to make this work shy socity realise that you HAVE to earn a living or training or you get nothing.

[anotheoldgit]

O_G

/// More of the State interfering in the lives of the individuals ///

Not in the least, you have got to have a certain amount of interfering from the state or we would have anarchy, perhaps you may wish that but I certainly do not.

/// they are the servants of the people not its masters ///.

Can't argue with that, so therefore they should listen to the people, and the people are demanding for some solutions to our problems, and mine is just one.

/// Skills training should be on offer anyway, to attract volunteers.///

This way only those of the type would volunteer, it's time to instil some discipline back into this country, and tell them what they are going to do, not what they want to do.

[B00]

oh c'mon triggs, even you, as a tree hugger (heh!) must realise thats a good few thousand too many!

[lozzer50]

a good sound idea. would get kids off the street and give them discipline and a purpose!

[anotheoldgit]

triggerhippy

/// You are not taking my daugher.///

That's what I mean about discipline, if she was eligible, you would have no say in the matter, when that OHMS brown envelope came through your door, to tell her where to report.

/// "shipped" for crying out loud.///

Nothing sinister just an old military term.

[Old_Geezer]

Removal of such government interference tends to result in basic rights not being abused, not anarchy.

Welfare comes out of our common kitty to give all citizens a minimum standard of help, which is surely morally the right thing to do. It can hardly be considered interference since it is about maintaining a basic standard of life for us all. I'm amazed someone would try to make such a connection.

If some abuse the system then no system is perfect. That ought not be used to justify imposing whatever is desired on us all. It is a reason to review the Welfare system occasionally though to see if it can be improved.

Telling folk how they have to live to that extent is beyond the Pale. It's no business of the elites to dictate such things.
It would serve the authorities right if it resulted in the sort of well deserved rioting that made the Poll Tax disagreement seem like a convivial tea party.