I realise the article is now a bit dated, but it made interesting reading, Russ.

I wonder just how much has really changed in the last 2 years or so?

The biggest hurdle, in my opinion is community attitudes - and that's not something you can just legislate.

I'm in my 40's and (much to my own surprise) have failed to secure a mature age-apprenticeship for the last year now. Ability, enthusiasm and results don't seem to count for much; if you don't fit the mould it's an uphill battle.

Governments can create the incentives - but it takes more than that to create the willingness to employ. I'm not really sure what the answer is.