What do kids do after leaving school in the UK?

[ConfusedCH]

I am a brit living over in Germany. The question I have is What do kids do after leaving school in the UK? Strange question, but over here, after finishing 10th Grade, they leave school and do a 3 year apprenticeship. That's wheather you want to become a butcher, a baker or a candlestick maker. (Which I personally think is a waste of time). But is it the same in the UK? As far as I know, over there, you leave school, go to Uni or get a job doing whatever takes your fancy and working your way up. (Unless obviously you want to become a pilot, lawyer etc.) Am I wrong???

[ConfusedCH]

@In a Pickle: Acutally, it's not all bad. There is a reason the unemployment figures in Germany are hitting the roof. The reason is, there aren't enough job possitions to go round. Therefore, every years there are thousands of kids leaving school with no real future. Because if you don't do your 3 year appr. you can forget getting a stable job anywhere. I can see the reason for needing to learn trades such as plumbing, electrician etc. but are 3 years really necessary? Or wouldn't young jimmy be better off on the building site learning from big Al who has been doing the trade all his life??? I'm not sure, but am thankful for your comment!!!

[spudqueen]

There are some apprenticeships around - but not many. Some of the larger firms in my area are now offering apprenticeships, even in clerical work. But there aren't enough people willing to take you people on. My friends son got an offer at college to be an electrician but he needed an employer to take him on aswell (4 days at work, 1 day at college per week) but he couldn't find anyone willing to employ him. My son is now in the situation where he has been accepted at two colleges for motor mechanics (again, one day at college, four days working) but so far has not found an employer. Hopefully he will get the grades for a third college which will take him full time.