We start them that young in the trades here in Canada but then you can marry at 14 and you serve booze at 16 if your parents agree so...
To start an apprenticeship you used to have be 16 with a grade 10 edumication.I don't know about now though
yes i know how to spell education.lol
Get some good books with laymen drawings if you want to learn the basics quickly.And make yourself indispensable as a helper.

[This message has been edited by frank (edited 12-26-2005).]