In terms if the "home grown" talent is concerned. Id like to see something similar to this. As you all mostly know, im ex forces and believe in having a strong, disciplined guidance. Id like to see national service bought back. But not just the usual, join the army for 12 months bollocks that is banded around when the topic of national service is mentioned. Id like to see it more like this.....
So, leave school at 16. You then have a choice. 2 years National Service. That could mean anything.... Army, Navy, RAF, Fireservice, Police, Paramedic etc. Alongside this 2 year service, you will also do NVQs to gain what qualifications you didnt get in school. Also some DofEs etc. Helping you grow as a young adult. (The Army already do similar. I did 12 month basic training, which is usually 12 weeks, in Harrogate where I gained NVQ L2 in English and Maths having g left school with 0 GCSEs.)
So people in these "colleges" are training alongside improving themselves. Not in the army or fireservice, but working towards the possibility of it.
Then at 18 you have 2 choices. Leave, hopefully a better, more rounded person, and rejoin civvie street, or go on to do corps specific phase 2 training and join a regiment/core etc and become a full time member of the armed forces/fireservice etc.
The people, and no doubt they'll be on here and along soon enough, that are adamant their kid isnt joining the army blah blah blah, then it is down to your child, and you as a parent, to ensure they have enough grades from school to go on to Uni (properly uni, not this shit you get nowadays. A PHD in Taylor Swift ffs) or, enough grades AND have secured a placement on an apprenticeship.
So, in a nutshell, 2 years on National Service or buckle down at school to get the grades you need for uni or an apprenticeship.
Sent from my SM-S711B using Tapatalk