REHABILITATION PROBLEMS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24051, 13 September 1943, Page 3

REHABILITATION PROBLEMS

ROLE OF VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE

“The executive has had a good deal of correspondence with the Rehabilitation Board, the Christchurch Rehabilitation Committee, and various Government officials. We have made some headway, but feel that the position in respect to many problems is far from satisfactory,” states the annual report of the New Zealand Vocational Guidance Association. “The board has informed us that it is not proposed to add vocational guidance officers to the rehabilitation committees, but that they will be contacted when necessary. “Most of our attention has been given to problems relating to the rehabilitation of girls and young women. When we found that we were getting no further than to discover that the matter ‘was receiving attention,’ and that it was ‘too early to indicate what steps might be taken,’ we decided that this association itself could undertake a certain amount of constructive work.” . _ _ _ . The report adds that Miss C. E.- Robinson, of the Christchurch Vocational Guidance Centre, has completed the preparation of a statement outlining the facilities available for girls and women for their training arid guidance in post-war occupations. The Director of Education was also requested to approach the proper authorities with a view to giving publicity, through posters and other devices, to the dangers inherent in a neglect of planning fpr post-war occupations by girlsmow in war-time positions, and to the fact that the vocational guidance centres were available for giving advice in connexion with such planning. The report continues: “The superintendent of staff training of the Public Service Commissioner’s office was similarly communicated with in reference to girls temporarily in the Public Service. Both he and the Director of Education were sympathetic, agreed with our proposals, and have taken them up in a preliminary way with the Director of National Service.” Referring to psychological testing in the armed forces, the report makes the following comment: “Our representations were merely acknowledged. It is gratifying to know that the A.F. is carrying out some very useful work of this nature. Some small-scale experiments have been earned out in army units by qualified members of the association.” , . . Reports on the reform of post-prim-ary education, with reference to the problems of a reformed curriculum, accrediting, and the a PP omt P eI or ?i liaison officers between the schools and university colleges are in course of preparation by memoers of the association, states the report.