It so nice to see the possitive out look you too have
I have employeed many apprentices and yes there were duds but most were really good! How about we all stick our heads in the sand and then lets see where this trade will be in the future.
You dont need to have been unemployeed for 6 months, at least my brothers apprentice wasnt , talk to the co ordinator he will give you the heads up. As far as I can see it a win win situation, you get to rest your back, they get to see if its what they want to do and it costs you fack all. Your co ordinator comes in every month to see how everything is going and with this new 90day trial period thingy if it dont work out your free to let them go. Not rocket science really