YOUNG FARMING TRAINEES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26523, 11 September 1951, Page 6

YOUNG FARMING TRAINEES

EMPLOYERS’ REPORTS

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE on the Land

"It does the old heart good,” said Mr Gordon Innes, secretary of the Canterbury Youth Farm Advisory Council, as he read farmers’ reports oh cadets who have been attached to them under the scheme of training Initiated in Christchurch two years ago. The programme, devised by a group of enthusiasts to encourage a better type of farm worker, did not have wide appeal immediately but farming and educational organisations gave their blessing and results now show the project to be well justified. . - The Christchurch Vocational Guidance Centre had been concerned at the drift to the towns of boys eminently suitable to continue living in the country. and also that many of the boys going on to farms did not qualify for even a primary school certificate, Mr Innes recalled. It was realised that there might be difficulty in finding boys who were prepared to undertake a comprehensive scheme of training and that much would depend on the goodwill Of the farming community. The programme involves a prerequisite of three years’ post-primary education and selected applicants then have a year at the Rangiora High School, spending the mornings on class work associated with the broader aspects of farming and the afternoon in practical farm operations. For three years after that the boys are attached to approved farmers for general experience and to end the course they will have eight months' intensive instruction at Cantetbuiy Agricultural College. Lincoln. Five boys were in the initial intake in 1949,13 more came out of the Rangiora High School last year, five are at the school now, and applications have been called for eight vacancies next year. Farmers’ Comments Mr Innes has now received reports from farmers employing the boys of the first two courses. Comments have been sought under the general headings of ability to learn, willingness to be taught, attitude to hard work and long hours, initiative sociability, and progress to date. In all cases the comments are encouraging. The farmers offer unsolicited compliments such as: "I am very well satisfied with—.” “A cheerful companion to work with.” “Popular with his fellows and one of the best within our family circle.” “He has my sympathy in that he arrived at the end of a very bad season; but he Is a very good lad to me and has been favourably commented on by more than one of my neighbours.” “Although this boy has been with me for a short period, not long enough for a detailed report, so far he is satisfactory in every way.” One of the boys suggested a reunion on the night before the metropolitan show and the council has found the others enthusiastic. Many of them will bring their parents and their employers. in letters accepting the invitation, the boys have told Mr Hines that they are happy in their work. They talk in homely fashion. "I have been getting along fairly well here; but we are all waiting anxiously for spring. It seems to have been a rather wet winter.” "November Bis near pur shearing time so my boss possibly won’t come in order to let me go for a few days.” “I leave tor camp this Friday. I am sorry that I am missing lambing.” “This job is great and I am very happy. I am sure there couldn’t be a better place anywhere. Thank you for your effort in finding it.” “Everything la going well here, with shearing just over?’ "I started the spring ploughing three weeks ago and have now finished one ■ 112-aere paddock, although I had a week’s spell as the second block of lunins waa not fed off. I have now started a 143-acre paddock which I estimate will take the best part of three weeks. To-day I went flying at the airport and I think I am progressing satisfactorily as now I am doing circuits and bumps, or takeoffs and landings. I think I’ll have to close now as it Is getting nehr my bedtime.”