PASSES IN TRADE EXAMINATIONS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28128, 17 November 1956, Page 8

PASSES IN TRADE EXAMINATIONS

STATEMENT BY TECHNICAL COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

(From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, November 16. Replying to a recent public statement by Mr K. R. Longson, presi South Canterbury Master Builders’ Association regarding the passes gained by apprentices in their trade examinations, the principal of the Timaru Technical College (Mr George Hill) has issued the following statement:— “Mr Longson stated that there were 2000 carpentry apprentices attending day training classes in New Zealand and that only 16 per cent, passed their examinations in 1955.

“The seventh annual report of the New Zealand Trades Certification Board has just been received and fives the following figures for the 955 trade examinations: Carpentry and joinery, first qualifying examination, number sitting 670, number passing 475, percentage passing 71; second qualifying examination, number Sitting 204, number passing 133, percentage passing 65. “This is not the whole story,” said Mr Hill. “It would be incorrect to say that, only these 608 boys out ot 2000 attending classes in 1955 had passed any examinations because 629 others passed their first or second qualifying examinations in 1953 or 1954 and would still be attending day training classes in 1955. In addition, several 1955 first year apprentices would not be eligible to sit for any examination becaui-e they would not have completed 150 U hours’ apprenticeship. Also, some seniors would be ineligible to sit the second qualifying examihation because they had not completed 5000 hours.

“Further, a considerable number o’ other boys would be exempt from sitting their first qualifying examination because they had passed School Certificate,” Mr Hill said.