Did anyone do a YTS?

[D20]

I’m just looking at post 16/18 courses with DD and we saw apprenticeships have become a lot more popular for non-trade avenues for level 2 and 3. I had a moment of nostalgia for the YTS I started between a-levels and degree (so I could learn how to touch type on an electronic typewriter). They’re just a YTS under a different name aren’t they? A bit of training, a bit of on the job experience?

I think I’m wrong in calling it a YTS as it was around 1995. It might have dropped the S by then.

Youth Training Scheme?

Apprenticeships lead to qualifications and are structured and regulated.

I did a YTS and got a level 2 SVQ out of it.

It paid £29.50 a week back then (92/93 ish)

Yep! I earned £25 per week with day release at college, it gave me a really good grounding in the world of work at a young age and gave me a lot of confidence, I think it made me grow up very quickly.

I became really good at making a brew. Oh, and I learned to touch type which has been very useful. 😉

Yep, I did and had lots of school friends who did them. It was a bit of "pot luck" as to where you worked and what prospects (if any) there were. It wasn't really regulated so in some places you literally were just a dogsbody but in others you got properly trained.

I became a chartered accountant by starting under a YTS scheme (I actually got the job myself by sending CVs to local firms, and the one who gave me a job did it via the JTS scheme at first). One of my friends got a clerical job at the local Chamber of Commerce and is now their CEO running the place, after working her way up through it over the years (never worked anywhere else, just stayed there, doing various courses etc over the years).

Though I knew lots of others who thought they got nothing out of it after doing just basic admin or drudgery work, but they all ended up with other jobs/careers after leaving the scheme, so at least they got some work experience on their CV and an employer reference!

I think they served a purpose but could have been better with more structure, regulation, etc so employers couldn't take the piss!

I did E.T. (Extra Tenner), worked as a care assistant at a local nursing home.

Did mine in Germany as we were there with forces. Loved it and gained confidence, learned to touch type and have good admin skills which means I could always pick up temping jobs. I had issues with my alphabet and handwriting and they arranged for one to one support. I later went back to college and found I was dyslexic and that's why I had been struggling in main stream education. I now have a masters in a field I love. It was useful to do in that period I didn't know what I wanted to be.

I did a YTS in 1987/88! I got £29.50 a week. Two days each week at a local FE College where I did NCFE qualifications in touch typing, shorthand & office practice, and the other 3 days in my local placement. I was placed in an office that was part of the council so had access to the weekly jobs bulletin and I found my first full time job from there within a year.

Yes i did. Really enjoyed it, worked at a top company and it gave me a great insight into the world of work

OH did a YTS in 84, it was painting & decorating which they loved and set them up for future employment in the same field.
I remember when I was at college in the early 80's and a day release student was on a YTS. Think they felt a bit out of it as we were all earning a real wage and enjoying the things that come with having a reasonable income while they were on a far lower pay scale but they got the qualification and did ok.

My husband did YTS in 90s after his GCSE's with a Big Pharma company. They put him through BTEC, Foundation Degree, Undergraduate degree, Masters and now a QP qualification. He has been with them for nearly 30 years and is senior management.
So obviously it worked out well for him.

Yup - 86-87 - could only do a year as I left at the end of 5th year. I got £35 a week. Taught me loads, think it's a great thing, they should definitely bring back.

Did one around 1984ish. It was awful. I did learn to touch type, which has stood me in good stead over the years. And there was a tutor, who remembered me from when she taught at my school and told me I should consider doing A levels - thanks, Mrs Tempest! (if you ever look at MN). It was the first time anyone had ever told me I was capable of doing anything.

I was on YTS 1987/1989. Chamber of Commerce, Wakefield. Mixed feelings really. On one hand you had chance to try some work experience which was ok. Other hand it was open to being taken advantage of if you were abit on the shy side, whilst some others were having time of their lives with their mates at the training centre for the same money.