There is sort of a symmetry between children of today and children of 200 years ago. Children today will probably go on to work in jobs that have yet to be invented. Children entering into apprenticeships 200 years ago gained skills and specialities that are no longer required.
Sure, some things haven't changed. Bricklaying, for example, still continues. Walter Wilberforce, a bricklayer of York 200 years ago, apprenticed his eldest son, William, in 1811 and his second son, Henry, in 1816 to follow in his footsteps.
But have you heard of the speciality of FWK recently? For LOL it seems to be just another of those three letter acronymns.
My Porter and Watts ancestors of Nottingham were cordwainers (shoemakers rather than just shoe repairers). The Porter and Watts apprentices in Nottingham included apprentice framework knitters (FWK). They generally knitted socks (to go in the boots made by the cordwainers?), hosiers, a stocking needlemaker and a bobbin or twist net maker.
I found apprentice curriers and an apprentice perriwig maker in York.
But I am still looking for William Newman, London plaisterer who arrived had arrived in Victoria by 1852, aged 20.
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