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They shut down "shop" classes years ago in the school I graduated from years ago. They shut down the tech school I graduated from the tool & die program. I've worked in tool & die my entire career, in capacity as T & D maker & as a designer. My last company I worked for moved mfg to Mexico. I live in an area that was very heavy into the tooling industry. The industry left years ago & interest in the funding to train them for that left as well. I just don't know anymore. But..I did find that working with interns fresh out of college was "interesting" . Especially from large companies who had no shop experience. They figured if they can create it on computer, it can be manufactured. I served my time on the shop floor before I was taken on as a designer, the old boss made sure you knew the basics & how to cut metal & think on your feet. Maybe it's a regional thing, but IMHO, it's becoming a global thing. Disclaimer: this is just my experience so please don't "flame" me.. John
Following on from some of the comments on this thread, my first experience with engines at age 7 was an old villiers engine lurking in the corner of Dad's garage. I managed to strip it down, rebuild it without help from Dad (but from an Uncle) got it running much to Dad's surprise. All tools cleaned and replaced in their place..... I ran my own Auto Body-shop for several years and found that the majority of "so-called" trained youngsters that I employed had no practical or common sense skills whatsoever. I soon worked out which ones were worth persevering with and which hit the road. If they made a mistake fine we all do, but if they didn't listen to and take note of what you told them politely and quietly then then goodbye. Most people in the UK will remember the YTS programme, now we are slowly going back to proper apprenticeships. I am in my 60's where can I get a Model Engine Apprenticeship?