TWO CLASSES SUGGESTED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30390, 14 March 1964, Page 15

TWO CLASSES SUGGESTED

Electrician Of The Future The relegation of simple, non-technical work to persons not requiring the improved standards of technical knowledge and the skills of the future electrician, was suggested by Mr C. J. Suckling at the annual conference of the Institute of Electricians in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Suckling, convener of the apprentices’ technical advisory committee, said the training of engineering assistants and technicians should be undertaken by those competent to train them. The present Electricians’ Act and the Electricians’ Registration Regulations could be amended where necessary to provide more than one level of training, length of apprenticeship and full registration. Mr Suckling said the actual “stringing up” of cables was so elementary that a child could do it. It would not be long before there were unskilled men to do this donkey work, he said. “They will not need to know Ohm’s law, but at least they will give the men that do have qualifications a chance to get on with the more technical work.” Medical Pattern Mr R. G. Musson (Marlborough) said he thought the electrical trade should follow the pattern set by the medical profession where doctors specialised in certain fields. Mr C. K. Pearce (Auckland) said the electrician was graded the same as any other tradesman. He called tor the up-grading of the trade so that it would not be financially tied down with less technical trades. Mr Suckling said the electrician of the future would be paid what he is worth. “And at the moment, he is worth no more than other tradesmen,” he said. "However, I am not saying that he is not capable, but I am looking to the future.’’