There has been a lot of talk recently, especially from ministers within the new coalition Government, that boosting traditional trade apprenticeship schemes would be a constructive part of revamping the educational system to help deal with the economic challenges ahead.This would mean that those individuals who feel they are more suited to pursuing a career in the practical trades such as training to be an electrician or learning to become a plumber, for example, are given much more support and opportunity to gain valuable experience, than at present. It would also encourage skills training routes to apprenticeships to continue to be an attractive proposition for students who wish to enter the construction trades industry.Just this month, The National Trust has launched a new scheme to recruit apprentices in traditional trades across the country, due to start in September. Competition for places will be tough as the starting wage for apprentices will be double the amount a usual apprentice is paid.Thousands of heritage buildings across the UK are going to need regular maintenance and renovation in the coming years. Without the apprenticeship scheme in place, many of the country's treasured historical buildings would fall into poor states of repair.The initiative has been taken now as, once again, it is feared that there will be significant shortages in the trade skilled work force, which has long been the situation, particularly in the electrical sector. The average work force age is over 50, so many retirements are expected within the next few years and properly trained and qualified electricians, plumbers, tilers, plasterers and builders will be in demand. The established training route is to undertake the City & Guilds NVQ level 2 certificate, for example, the Plumbing 6129 or Electrical 2330 at an accredited and approved training provider, which kickstarts knowledge learning to prove ability and aptitude before progressing onto higher training levels and related subject areas, such as Gas training or Heat Pumps.After course completion and qualifying, building up valuable experience is obligatory and the more apprenticeship schemes which can be offered by employers, the better it will be for students to obtain a smoother transition from training to workplace.