I went to school at a grammar school which was insistent at teaching the pupils how to analyse subjects as well as providing knowledge. I then worked for five years at a time that employers were happy to take on school leavers because they knew, that with a small amount of training, they would be useful members of the workforce. I then came to London and lived in a bedsit that I shared with a girlfriend while we both studied. She studied Maths and I studied Accountancy. I then rented a flat while training and studying at an international firm of accountants. I got fantastic experience along with great training. I then worked as an accountant in an international group. I then decided that I wanted my own accounting practice so I took on clients who I worked on their accounts and tax on evenings and weekends while still working full time. When I had reached full capacity I took a part time job so I could take on more clients. Eventually I worked full time as a self employed accountant. I've now reached the stage where I get rental income as well as income from my accounting practice and my wife, who's only 56, is retired.
I am grateful to my school for enabling me to have a good start in life so that I was wanted by employers and later on lecturers and senior accountants, managers and partners made sure I had the best possible education, experience and training.
I dont think enough is done at schools nowadays to give children a chance of getting a job. Employers are worried that they have to teach school leavers things that they should know when leaving school. Too many children don't seem to be willing to work hard. They also don't seem to be used to basic learning. The education system, rather than being left as it is, needs an overhaul from top to bottom. They should get rid of incompetent teachers and bring in teachers who have the skills and determination to produce school leavers who are wanted by employers and universities.
