JOB SHORTAGE POSSIBLE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28440, 21 November 1957, Page 7

JOB SHORTAGE POSSIBLE

Office Work Vacancies

Jobs may be harder to get for children leaving school this year, if present figures are any indication of the number available. According to Mr G. C. Brookes, chief vocation officer of the Education Department in Christchurch, employers have not notified as many jobs available this year as there have been at this time in the past. “I don’t think there are less jobs about this year,” said Mr Brookes. “It is just that the employers are slower in notifying us what they have available. Nobody w’ho leaves • school this year should go without a job, but, as usual, those with the best qualifications. both educationally and personally, will get the best jobs.” More children were leaving school than before, and the services of the Vocational Guidance Office w’ere being called on to an ever-increasing degree, said Mr Brookes. In October last year. 537 persons called at the office for guidance; last month there were 618. Other figures for last year were: November. 743: December, 584; and January, 641. Most of these persons were placed in jobs, and a few found their own jobs. It was obvious that children were starting earlier to apply for jobs, he said. The main occupations where there appear to be shortages of vacancies are in the sewing trades and office work, with shorthand and typing, for girls, and in all types of office work for boys. The number of vacancies in building, engineering and allied trades are also apparently lower than they have been in previous years.