Hi,

The brutal reality is, for youngsters that are good academically, there are far more lucrative jobs with better promotion prospects and work conditions than you will ever find in a garage workshop. However enlightened the management may be.
The signs are, that things are improving very slowly. Until you are forbidden to work on vehicles before you have a recognised qualification, the pay just won't match other professions.
One of my friends is an aircraft mechanic for KLM. He did his apprenticeship in a garage,but luckily for him, a customer spotted his talent and gave him an intro to the airline. It's a different world, you are respected,paid better and can retire on a pension before you are worn out.
Until the motor trade offers similar benefits, new recruits are in the main, not going to be brightest and best.

Tom W.