I respond to Mrs C’s letter about her grandson trying in vain to find a plumbing apprenticeship.
I run a small contracting business in Dundee and have invested thousands in recent years trying to train up apprentices and give young people a rung up the career ladder.
Of the five young men I employed, three were a waste of time who simply wanted to turn up when they felt like it, take as much time off as possible and do as little as possible when in.
Of the other two who were able to apply themselves, one couldn’t keep out of trouble in his private life and his police record prevented him from continuing with us due to the nature of some of our contracts.
The last one stayed throughout his apprenticeship. I put him through the National Apprentice of the Year Awards to boost his self-confidence, which I’m pleased to say he won.
But he then turned round the day after receiving his award and announced he was leaving without working any notice and walked out.
On top of this we have a government that continues to pile more and more regulation on business to the extent that it is no longer worth my while to employ anyone.
And with apprentices there is even more regulation in the form of strict limits on overtime availability, site work insurance premiums for young people, a lot of downtime while teaching, as well as paying for the apprentice to travel out of town to college every week as the nearest college for our trade is Edinburgh.
I appreciate young people are the life blood of our industries and hope this explains some of the problems facing small businesses and why they are not investing in the future.
Hopefully things will change in the near future and investment can begin again properly.
I sincerely hope that Mrs C’s grandson finds an apprenticeship and wish him all the best. — Mechanical Man.
Councillor Myles’ flag figures
Councillor Myles
Councillor Myles writes to dispute the figures given by a source in his own council for his nonsensical Angus flag.
Councillor Myles writes to dispute the figures given by a source in his own council for his nonsensical Angus flag.
Using the figures I originally quoted, removing the cost of re-branding still leaves the total figure just for the flags and flagpoles at £13,435.
Mr Myles states the cost will be £9500. This, of course, ignores ancillary costs such as VAT, erection and planning permission.
He also failed to address my point regarding the flags being bought outwith Angus. — Nick Brand.
Not justified
At a time when there is sub-standard housing, floods on roads because there are not enough roadmen to clear drains and rising tax demands, how can Angus Council’s Alliance justify spending almost £10,000 on a flag we don’t need?
At a time when there is sub-standard housing, floods on roads because there are not enough roadmen to clear drains and rising tax demands, how can Angus Council’s Alliance justify spending almost £10,000 on a flag we don’t need?
Councillor Myles said that 10 flagpoles will be erected to fly the new flag. However, at a meeting in Forfar on November 8 he said the second flagpole was to fly the Saltire.
Surely the national flag should take precedence over the county flag. — Disgruntled, Angus.
Nothing wrong with two jobs
What’s the problem with firefighters, police or anyone else having a second job?
What’s the problem with firefighters, police or anyone else having a second job?
If it’s good enough for MPs and MSPs surely it’s good enough for anyone else.
I have been in a taxi or spoken to a barman on many occasions who have said their main job is in some other employment.
At least these people are working and not scrounging. — Kenneth Blues.
Raggies
I remember when a rag man came around our streets and we got a balloon for old clothes etc.
If the rag man didn’t come we took ours to the “raggie” shop.
Does any reader know if there is a “raggie” left in Dundee? — Reader.
Fox dead
I read in the Tele of a fox seen in Logie Street, Dundee, on several occasions.
Sad to say, I’m informed by a dog walker it is dead and was lying on the grass area in the street. — E. M.
Handbag theft
Some rat broke into my daughter’s house at Troon Terrace and stole her handbag.
This contained her Christmas money for her three children. — June Brindley.
Ban crossbow sale
I happened to walk along Dundee’s Liff Road and to my concern saw a shop has opened up that sells knives, crossbows, swords, daggers and guns.
I appreciate the shop is not breaking the law and it is legal to sell such items.
But surely it is time to put a halt to such sales.
Who needs a crossbow or a sword or a dagger?
Items such as these often fall into the wrong hands.
By all means sell fishing tackle and suitable knives if absolutely necessary.
But the rest should be banned. It’s time for politicians to act. — Concerned Parent.
Hoodie abuse
As I was leaving the Highgate Centre in Lochee recently so was a young man wearing a zip-up and a hood.
An older man directed abuse at him saying, “We don't want the likes of you here again.” He also swore at the youth.
The young man did not react.
I know some young people have been causing trouble at the centre, but this one had done nothing. — Tele Reader.
Fantastic staff at new store
I say well done to Morrisons in Dundee and the staff. I think the new store is fantastic. The produce is fresh and of high quality at great prices.
I was pleasantly surprised and will be a regular customer.
The staff are also very helpful and friendly and they also have a handy bus service. — Mrs Wilson, Fintry.
Buck stops with Tony and Gordon
In the wake of the illegal donations scandal the General Secretary of the Labour Party has had to resign. However, he is merely the fall guy.
In the Labour Party hierarchy a general secretary has no real power. This lies with the National Executive Committee and the Leader.
During his period in office Tony Blair increased the power and influence of the Leader.
So the buck now stops with Gordon Brown and Tony Blair as much of the donated money was received when the latter was in charge. — Observer.
Shouted at kids
I was on the Broughty Ferry circular bus and a lady with her two kids were in the buggy zone.
The kids were just being kids when all of a sudden this lady started shouting at them.
I was angry at her behaviour and hope she reads this and is ashamed. — Angry Citizen.
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