[Jenk]

Apprenticeships are open to 16 year-olds - in much more dangerous professions. Metalworking, construction, mining, etc.

And of course if it is deemed too dangerous for them to join any of these professions, your local military recruitment center, acceptong applicants aged 16 and above, is right this way...

[atlanticaccent]

These are all highly regulated industries/professions. They also include legally required training. Apprenticeships are also not exclusively work - that's the entire point - a significant portion of an apprenticeship is spent in training and education.

Do you seriously think it's acceptable to just hand a child tools that can easily get them hurt or killed, with zero supervision or training, and expect them to be fine? It is already a nightmare for commuter cyclists in metropolitan areas who prioritize safe routes and dedicated cycle paths. You think people this young have the ability to effectively manage the risks of working on the road whilst under time pressure?

[altairTF]

dont they have for a lot of time before, what changed now?

[soco]

Society tries more to protect its members than ever before. And I argue that's the whole point of a society.