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Hi Ken,
Hope your well(still waiting for the date for the coffee, lol)
You can, as an ex Councillor of many parties recognise that the councils are going through a rough time, so much so we will see DDC disappear in its present form very soon. Of course they will all fight there own corner, thus delaying the outcome, but it won't go away.
It is, as you say a little confusing taking on the apprentice if theres nothing at the end, and of course the employer only has to pay a pittance as well, its a real rip off.
But I hope all those that do these jobs at least get some skills from this.
On posts 25 etc I'v spoken with his fellow workers in Dover who said he would be happy to work unsafely, rest of workforce wouldn't thank fully at the moment there is more protection for workers, although with brexit this could change if workers rights are thrown out the window as presently being proposed.