Now we hear we also had school-leavers too thick to change a tyre.
Car giants Arnold Clark found 81% of would-be apprentices were "not employable".
Of 2280 interviewed, 1850 needn't have bothered turning up.
Most of the wee souls were shocked at the hours nasty Mr Clark expected them to work. They had a poor attitude, no communication skills, and "wholly unrealistic expectations".
And those from college courses had seemingly benefited from little other than "state-sponsored babysitting".
Arnold Clark did say it was recruiting at the "lower end of the achievement spectrum" but there's no doubt many youngsters are detached from society.
Scotland's youth unemployment has risen 1100% since 2007, with almost a quarter of 16 to 24-year-olds – 94,000 – out of work.
The Work Foundation say 450,000 of UK Neets –youngs-ters not in education, employment or training – have never held a regular job.
So who's to blame?
Since March 2009, the Bank of England has pumped £325billion into banks through quantitative easing.
How much has filtered down in loans to small businesses? Not a lot.
Meanwhile British business is cash-rich, having salted away £750bn for the same rainy day.
Fear prevents those billions being released to help create jobs and growth. Until the light at the end of the economic tunnel is proved not to be an oncoming Greek train, hands will stay firmly in pockets.
Employment laws, with the risks and potential costs involved in hiring staff (and getting rid of numpties), is a minefield.
So school-leavers find themselves losing out as graduates – and more experienced foreign workers – take entry-level jobs once considered their preserve.
The UK economy relies on fewer jobs, and on service industries – such as hospitality and leisure – rather than in manufacturing. Firms need "soft skills" – customer service, team working, communication – but schools don't supply them. You can't blame it all on the education system.
Some kids will never get the family support needed to reach even the "lower end of the achievement spectrum".
Too many of their parents regard welfare as a lifestyle in this "me, me" age, when everyone knows their rights but not their responsibilities.
The SNP has vowed to create 25,000 modern apprentice-ships a year, with all 16 to 19-year-olds offered a learning or training place.
It's a start, but it's undermined by cuts to college budgets.
We also need employer organisations to engage with the education system, and targeted vocational training that guarantees a job at the end.
Yes, it takes money. I know, we're in a recession. But the Audit Commission says the UK's 1m Neets represent £35bn in lost economic opportunities, and £13bn is needed to keep them on benefits.
Even some Arnold Clark rejects could do that simple arithmetic.
THE Scottish Government's latest attack on booze will see the drink-drive limit cut from the UK-wide 80mg to 50mg.
It's a sensible move, bringing us into line with much of Europe.
Next season, when I drive to Berwick to watch the glorious hoops – that's Queen's Park to you – I may have to forego my customary and much-anticipated pint or glass of wine over lunch.
I'll be well under the 80mg limit to drive in England, but over the border I could be well over 50mg and eligible for the hospitality of Lothian and Borders police.
