Published: Wednesday, 4th June, 2008 10:54am

Way of the world

by Eric Baxter

Print | Email

YOU know that high-flying mega-businessman Alan Sugar is a big-wig by the way he behaves in a helicopter.

Most of us zooming over the centre of London in a "copter would be goggle-eyed at the view, but not Al.

He"s more interested in scrutinising the financial pages than checking out the stunning architecture as he whizzes over the city on his way to yet another high-powered session.

I"m sure, however, the grumpy star of TV"s "The Apprentice" would be delighted to read that Inverclyde Council is telling youngsters "you"re hired" rather than pointing the finger at them and barking: "You"re fired".

It"s very encouraging to see the council taking on apprentices, even if they"re not getting paid the £100,000-a-year being promised to Mr Sugar"s recruit.

The council"s apprentices, however, are more likely to be real people rather than the money-grabbing, egotistic, utter pains in the backside who crawl after Sugar giving the impression they would sell their nearest and dearest to the Devil just to make a few extra bob.

The one thing these characters have in their favour is they don"t want to be chart-topping singers, unlike apparently most of the rest of the population queuing up to appear in talent shows.

It"s the way of the world these days.

Youngsters used to want an apprenticeship. Now most of these opportunities are gone they hope to transform their lives overnight by winning a TV contest.

It"s more than a little sad.

For more stories and your full round up of what's happening in Greenock you can purchase the e-edition of the Greenock Telegraph click here.