Couldnt agree more times have changed, years ago an apprenticeship was the only realistic way into the trade, with the current economic climate, I think the only realistic way of getting any trade is to go out and grab it by the balls yourself get your training and qualification finished and enter the workplace with confidence in your own abilty and a willingness to learn from your peers and superiors. If I was looking for a plumbers mate/trainee I would take someone who has been on a fast track course over a day release apprentice every time, you have aleady demonstrated an eagerness to progress and learn and a can do attitude by the simple fact that you went out there and spent hard earned money on getting qualified gave up your free time to go on these courses and had the ability to pass the exams. In a further education college a high percentage of any class is filled with timewasters and muppets with the same mentality they had at school who will mess around and disrupt the learning of others. I say good on you and good luck dont listen to the naysayers some of them are just hanging on to the past.