Commission On Apprenticeship

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30531, 28 August 1964, Page 10

Commission On Apprenticeship

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 27. The Government will set up a commission of inquiry on apprenticeship and technical training, the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) said tonight.

The commission, to be headed by Sir Arthur Tyndall, Judge of the Court of Arbitration, will investigate and make recommendations on the methods of training which should be adopted to meet the nation's needs for skilled workers. It will probably start taking evidence early next year. Mr Shand said the commission would comprise representatives of workers’ and employers’ organisations and the Education and Labour Departments. “Sir Arthur Tyndall, who was chairman of the 1944 commission of inquiry into apprenticeship and related matters, has agreed to act as chairman,” Mr Shand said. Since 1944 there had been a considerable change in industry’s requirements for skilled people as well as in

educational courses and other facilities.

“The skills required have been affected by changes and, in some cases, operations have been subdivided or have become more specialised so that some require greater skill than formerly and some less. “In a swiftly changing industrial . scene any training scheme can become obsolete fairly quickly if not kept under review. It is therefore necessary that our apprenticeship scheme be adapted to meet changes which are evident both here and overseas.” Mr Shand said the Secretary for Labour (Mr H. L. Bockett) had been asked. to approach interested organisations for suggestions as to what matters they consider should be included in the commission’s order of reference.