Young Tradesmen To Go Overseas

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30602, 19 November 1964, Page 16

Young Tradesmen To Go Overseas

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, November 18. The New Zealand craftsman training foundation, Rotary sponsored, was launched in Auckland today with the object of sending skilled young tradesmen (just out of their apprenticeships) overseas to acquire knowledge and experience.

Mr R. A. Keir, principal of the Auckland Technical Institute and a governor of the foundation, said rotary clubs in Auckland had adopted the scheme with enthusiasm and it was hoped it would extend rapidly through the country. He said initially the foundation was seeking about £5OOO from industry and individuals so that about this time next year at least 10 craftsmen drawn from the widest field of industry possible, could go overseas for a minimum of one year to further their training. It will seek annual contributions.

Each year applications will be invited from skilled craftsmen between the ages of 21 and 25 for awards costing about £5OO to the Northern Hemisphere and about £2OO to Australia.

The trustees of the foundation are Mr Shand, as the cur-

rent Minister of Labour, Sir John Allum, Sir James Fletcher, Sir Woolf Fisher and Mr H. T. Thomas. The governors, who will administer the foundation, are, with some additions to be made: Mr Keir, Mr D. Sheehan, as District Commissioner of Apprenticeships, Mr E. W. Mills, principal of the Central Institute of Technology, Lower Hutt, Mr R. C. F. Savory, chairman of the board of governors of the Auckland Technical Institute, and Mr W. E. Wagener, a building contractor and member of the Technical Certification Authority.