TRAINING FOR TRADES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 270, 27 August 1941, Page 2

TRAINING FOR TRADES

CRITICISM OF CONTROL. , REPLY BY HON. P. C. WEBBi • v,v ' JO \ . \ (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 26. Replying to criticism of the control of training for trades, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in a statement to-night, said the Auxiliary Workers’ Training Emergency Regulations, dated February 19, 1941, placed the control of auxiliary training schemes in the hands of the Dominion Auxiliary Workers’ Training Council. The Council, said Mr Webb, was carrying out a most important national function efficiently. When the regulations were formulated it was understood that the services of several departments would he necessary to carry out the schemes. The Labour Department had from the outset been responsible for the administrative work in connection with the auxiliary workers training schemes, but it was the function of the Dominion Auxiliary Workers’ Training Council to initiate and control the-various schemes. The carpentry trade school which was being established at Miramar, would, as in the case of other trades, he controlled by the Dominion Auxiliary Workers' Training Council.

The scheme for training provided: (1) For training in technical schools similar to that adopted in the engineering trade and (2) for the training of workers in conjunction with the Housing Department. The latter scheme provided for the setting up of workshops on a site where dwellings were to be erected. The trainees would be taught by special instructors in workshop practice also on actual construction work. The scheme which was now being developed contained no, departure from the procedure laid down in the regulations and, like other schemes already initiated, had been planned and organised and would be controlled by the Dominion Training Council.

“It may also be mentioned/” remarked Mr Webb, “that the Labour Department is already charged with the administration of the Apprentices. Act, including the adult apprenticeship scheme and awards of the Court of Arbitration, and as a result is also in close contact with industrial organisations. It will x-eadily be understood that the success of any auxiliary workers training scheme depends not only on the actual training in school but the application of that training to industry. The Dominion Council gives full consideration when adopting any scheme to all angles, and the service of any department carrying out any special scheme must be made available.”