SYMPATHETIC souls oozing with the milk of human kindness are all very well and good.

But if the Tomlinson Report's recommendations are to be implemented successfully, and the 14-19 year olds motivated to take up the much-needed craft and other worthwhile work opportunities, then it will require trained and experienced training officers to direct the programmes.

The Statutory Industrial Training Boards Training Recommendation 1, The Training of Training Officers demanded a minimum qualification level of Higher National Certificate or degree in an industrial discipline or equivalent, with line management experience.

Utilising the principles of systematic training, with modern means of selection for training courses, that placed "square pegs in square holes. "It was by no means unusual to find a 95 per cent-plus success rate.

My belief is that at the earliest opportunity, local education authorities/learning and skills councils, should establish steering committees of professional trainees, industrial and other interests, to recruit the right staff and supervise programmes of vocational and industrial training and job knowledge and education.

For the lesser able and the disenchanted in statutory education, to be caused to fail, would be not only a tragedy in human terms, but a criminal waste of scarce resources.

Crafts and trades must be taught by people who are trained lecturers and instructors. Anything less raises questions about the ability or integrity of the training provider.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR TOM WAREING,

Redditch.