Can my son get help to buy tools?

[alinic]

My son is 16 and started an apprenticeship in engineering , the tools the other men use are very expensive , i dont mind helping him buy them but was wondering if there was a grant or something to help him a little? (some of the tools are 30 each! and more and if he is to build this collection up we are talking a huge amount of money. thanks. His wage for the apprenticeship is rather small.
thought i would ask, as they say you dont ask you dont get. etc
Thanks to anybody who can shed any light on this, much appreciated

[RATTER15]

I only buy the best tools and I get most of mine on Ebay, just be careful what you buy!! you need to be very specific, a spanner is not just a spanner, a hammer is not just a hammer!! if you know what I mean!!

[buildersmate]

I don't know for sure but there may be some opportunity under the New Deal for Young People scheme run by Jobcentre Plus. These schemes that were set up under new Labour in 1997 have evolved over the years by essentially providing support to getting the 18-25 agre bracket into work. One of difficulties may be that he would have to have been out of work beforehand.
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/ New_Deal/New_Deal_for_Young_People/index.html

[alinic]

Many thanks Ratter15, yes its the best of gear they use, snap on! very good quailty.

[alinic]

Thanks for the onfo buildersmate, have found a web site which gives grants through trusts/ think there is only one in Scotland! Just trying to help him the best i can. but think i may need to jump through hoops to get it thou, so many criterias!

[Heidihi1301]

this modern apprenticeship scheme is not all it is cracked up to be.

nice to see you rlad has supportive parents as that is what gets kids through - they earn next to nowt whilst doing 40 hour weeks.

my lad obtained 12 a-c gcses then left schooll to to 2 years training to be a carpenter on a modern aprenticeship and it was hard slog. His family allowance stopped immediately but he was not even entitled to minimum wage he only earned �80 a week, which averaged at �2 per hour travelled 22 miles each way to work, transport being provided by good old mum for 18months, then when he passed his test he ran a little car which cost us �600 and �100 per months for insurance.

He got no help financially for tools or travelling expenses.

Poor lad passed with flying colours despite not getting much work based experience as they sacked the labourer 12 months into his apprenticeship and he had to mostly do that work and never got shown anything other than when he was at college. He can make a cracking cuppa though!!

He left as soon as his certificate came though and went back into full time education to get his A levels/ Good luck but keep your eye on him.