Vocational training for non-academic pupils was being called for (along with jam, stereos and motorbikes) three decades ago, as The TESS reported on October 3, 1975: There should be a more systematic national approach to training young people with a common core of skills and knowledge, said Mr Geoffrey Holland, director of planning and intelligence at the Training Services Agency. He was speaking at a conference in Stirling last week organised by the Scottish group of the British Association for Commercial and Industrial Education.

Mr Holland analysed the TSA discussion document on vocational preparation for young people, published in July. It recommended the establishment of ‘Gateway’ courses of a recognised national standard.

The course would include knowledge of industry and the working environment, awareness of the differences between work and school, knowledge of aspects of adult working life such as PAYE and national insurance, communication skills and the opportunity to develop self-reliance and maturity.

Mr Brian Gallacher of the Glasgow careers service said it was all very well for money to be poured into youth training schemes, but changed attitudes to work now existed which had not been recognised.

It was difficult to marry people to jobs because work no longer held the same attractions. Young people want jam today, a stereo tomorrow and a motorbike on Friday, he said.