APPRENTICESHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 26

APPRENTICESHIP.

TRAINING OF YOUTHS. RECOMMENDATIONS MADE. NEED OF ELASTIC SYSTEM. (By Telegrapn--Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Recommendations and suggestions for dealing with the difficulties of the present apprenticeship system in New Zealand were put forward in a report presented at the meeting of the Technical College board of governors by Mr. R. G. Ridling, director of the college.

Mr. Ridling said the report, which had been prepared by Mr. W. S. La Trobe and himself, had been forwarded to the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, after approval by a committee set up at the technical education conference in September last.

The report details several weaknesses in the present system of apprenticeship, including the restrictions on the supply, training and the co-ordination between technical schools and industry.

The following recommendations are made: That there should he a general registration of apprentices in designated trades: that final certificates should be awarded to enable young tradesmen to take employment as fully trained workmen; that compulsory part-time day training should be provided in the technical schools; that the period of apprenticeship should he variable, according to the ability and initiative of the apprentice; and that there should be a limitation of apprentices and a fixing of the numbers to be employed in any designated trade. The report suggests the appointing of a national apprenticeship committee to follow the development of trade carefully and to control the supply of apprentices to industry. Local advisory committees, comprised of employers and employees, are also recommended. , A meeting of unions is to be held shortly to deal with the question of apprentices, and the report will be allowed to lie on the table until then.