The subsidy should come from the state, as it does for other forms of education. Honestly I think apprenticeships should start at 16 (and if I had my way, 14. I live in a generally rural community and kids in the sticks learn how to work a tractor pretty young).<p>Ultimately, people&#x27;s competitiveness comes from their investment in their own skills. As Ron White taught us, &quot;you can&#x27;t fix stupid.&quot;  What you can do is ensure that people will be working (instead of claiming welfare, etc), and that if their skills atrophy or their job is automated away, back to a new apprenticeship. Better than getting a new 4 year B.S.