Butch the difference in hourly rate for a 20 yo against a 21 yo is .37 cents / hour.

a higher credential has
meant higher earnings, simply because of the value the job
markets places on it.
Foxy,
That's precisely what made the wheel wobble. The Job Market did not put these values up, the academic component within the ALP governing Unions did that. Unrealistic demands which have killed off australian industry. To think that they haven't leant a thing about economics after so much mayhem & suffering in the blue collar industry & now they're giving the unemployed yet another kick in the guts is simply beyond all sense. I suppose as long as the academic bureaucrats get their undeserved share all is well with people like you. I'd be too ashamed to display such arrogance & selfishness.

The 'Usual Suspects' at it again, the end of civilization as we know it, all brought on by those greedy workers! These are the same conservatives who always oppose any and every improvement in wages and conditions. Be it the eight hour day, sick pay, paid holidays etc, you name it, they opposed it. In my life time these are the same conservatives who supported 20 year old's being conscripted and packed off to fight and die in Vietnam for "them". Where were you then, dock side with a brass band waving goodbye?
You would think with all the, wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth, from the conservatives, the boss in Australia was about to shut up shop, and go out of business if he pays an extra 37c'hr to a few. What will they say if there is a general pay rise of 50c.hr. The truth is, the employer does very well in Australia, a great country in which to turn a profit.

Paul1405,
No need to be dock side to wave them off, the likes of me were putting money towards the cause that made it possible for the likes of you to maggot through life. I dearly wish I could wind back the clock. Greedy workers ? Where did I say that ? I made reference to greedy & irresponsible unions yes but not workers. Stop lying & twisting words you're no good at it.
Goaf did away with discipline & introduced moggotism 4 decades ago & we're still reeling from that & will do so for a long time yet if we don't start breeding sense again.

Foxy, while I agree that on the job training is where skills are developed, Pre work education is where the knowledge is often gained in order to hone those skills.

I will give you a small example. As a butcher, I did my apprenticeship when there were still blocks of college and, from that education I learned breads of cattle, their yields, I learned about disease and what causes certain unsightly changes to meat and, whether or not that change effects the wholesomeness of the meat, all those skills are no longer taught. The knowledge is still there, but the trainees must go looking.

The end result, is that MOST butchers completing their time don't have a full knowledge of the industry, only what happens within the four walls of the shop.

579, this thread is not about 37c per hour, it's about the unions agenda to force employers to pay 18 year olds an adult wage.

That WILL increase youth unemployment.

Paul, nice union rant, as usual. Be careful relying on 579 for your inspiration because he/she can only see the 37c per hour, not the real picture, that being the unions agenda.

You have to remember, this is the same person who thought Gillard was doing a splendid job and now blames Abbott for the mess she left behind.

The who point is people, once the unions get their way, you will see 15 to 17 year olds working after school jobs, then nothing, unless they are able to impress the hell out of a boss, which will be hard to do in a 12 hour week.

This whole area of when you are an adult need to be cleaned up. When exactly are you an adult? 12 to go to the movies & get on a plane. 16 to engage in sex or get married. 17 to drive a car. 18 to vote, drink, or sent to a combat area to fight, sigh a Legal document. Then 21 to get paid as an adult. This whole area just doesn't make sense.

The 21 year old thing is a Legal left over from the 19th century. It needs to be changed. If a 16 year old is doing the same work & has the same output as a 21 year old on a production line then they should get the same pay. On top of that I believe in equal pay for women as well, another Legal left over.

In fact the whole "adult age" thing needs to be cleaned up.