I think
@Padfoot does have a bit of a point, but it doesn't relate solely to young people, but all new refs in general.
I know this will depend on how individual CFAs handle the development of their shiny new referees, but from my experience aside from a 2 day course run by the CFA I have learnt much more from my RA, reading and participating in threads on here and doing my own research into good books to buy etc.
That's not to say my CFA/RDO didn't help me out, they did, but I had to be proactive in asking for help and advice, to the point that I reckon my RDO probably sighs and rolls his eyes when he see's my email address in his inbox, but as the saying goes, if you don't ask you don't get.
It does make me wonder, why when we're trying to recruit so many new referees, particularly those at the younger end of the age range, that so many RAs seem to be dying on their feet. My local RA branch has 13 members that regularly attend the monthly meetings and at 31 I'm by far the youngest.
It seems to me that RAs which don't try and engage with the younger refs are doing themselves a disservice, and if they can't bring in the younger members then their membership will dry up and they'll fold.
I guess the point of my rant is this:
1 - New referees aren't neceseraly getting adequate preparation for the role during their course;
2 - 1 RDO who has to look after hundreds of refs is going to struggle to support all of them, so perhaps more emphasis could be placed on where new refs can go to get information and learn to develop their abilities i.e. the RA
3 - The onus to improve has to be on the new referees, if they are pointed in the right directions but don't bother then that's thier problem;
4 - Some local RAs could do more to attract new referees, particularly the younger ones.
Sorry, I'll get off my soap box now. And apologies for going off topic.