National conscription

[The basic training at the British Army, can be extremely hard at times but is designed to build character and bring out qualities in each recruit. I joined as a junior leader and was known as a baby bird when posted to my regt. It is an experience filled with different emotions thoughts and feelings.]

The poor little darlings won't know what's hit them.

There are only 30,000 places available in the forces. 10,000 in each service. These will probably go to cadets and those with tech backgrounds. That's almost a years free recruits. Which saves the govt money.

Care Homes have said they are unlikely to participate other than things like people visiting. People in care homes have commented that they don't want a constantly changing stream of teenagers who a being forced to be there anywhere near them.

The NHS doesn't have many roles for volunteers and in both sectors people would need DBS clearance.

I have no idea what 10,000 teenagers would be doing in the fire service, ambulance, police or paramedic services. Washing cars?

Anyway this is not volunteering it's going to be mandatory.

If it is mandatory what is the sanction for refusing, what are the exemptions. Many 18 year olds are already working, often on shifts, some are parents.

What's the incentive. In most EU Countries volunteering on national schemes gets you free or cheaper university, or college courses. It gets you free public transport, it gets you automatic interviews for jobs. In some volunteering is applicable to all ages and I think in Germany 12 hours a month can go towards pension credits that lets you retire early, as you build up the credits. You can also earn a tax free payment for some work, up to £460 per month, depending on how many hours you do.

One Tory MP has said they could pick fruit or vegetables. That smacks of slavery and I bet some millionaire farmer in Norfolk is rubbing his hands thinking of free labour.

It can be done, should be open to all ages and should have tangible rewards but this scheme is just a gimmick for the election.

I don't essentially mind the idea that the forces would have trainees from age 17/18. As long as it is understood that these conscripted trainees don't end up in action somewhere.

Of course the forces already operate a similar system where students doing certain degrees can join and be sponsored by the military and effectively get their degrees paid for. I used to see a number of medical students coming through every year who were being sponsored through their courses. They often went off for 6 weeks twice a year on military training.

I think they advertise which degrees are applicable.

Of course there is nothing mandatory about this, they have chosen to sign up for three or five years. Doctors I think were seven years.

But ordinary 18 year olds are going to be doing what, cleaning tanks, painting fences. It would have to be properly worked out. They're only going to be there 12 months so they wouldn't want to throw too many resources into training. It wouldn't be worthwhile. Catering perhaps?

I think this is the daftest thing they've come up with, though I daresay it'll appeal to a certain generation (ours 😂)
With the focus away from university as the sole route for young people, aside from apprenticeships, there should be a push to make joining the armed forces a credible option for their consideration. Heaven knows we need em.

The current apprenticeships as set up by the govt are unpopular with business. Many large businesses run their own schemes anyway e.g. Nissan, Rolls Royce.

The govt ones are unpopular because £6.40ph is now almost half the NLW. There is also about a 50% drop out. There is no scheme to replace or find another apprenticeship. That means if the company goes bust or decides to lay you off, there's nowhere to go. You're up the creek with a half finished apprenticeship.

In regard to degrees. If there is a degree relating to David Bowie it is likely to concentrate on his business acumen in the music industry, his innovative artistry in costume and set design, his fashion and how he kept himself relevant. I can see nany business type modules created around this and the degree would have many applications in marketing, business management, production and creative arts. Not really any different to studying Aristotle, just more relevant to today.