Incentive Proposal To Train Apprentices

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32367, 5 August 1970, Page 14

Incentive Proposal To Train Apprentices

The best way to encourage employers to train apprentices was to allow a 150 per cent tax exemption on apprentices’ wages for the first three years, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce decided last evening.

On the recommendation of its trade training committee, the chamber resolved to support the New Zealand Employers' Association, which has already put this proposal to the Government.

Presenting the committee’s recommendation, Mr A. T. F. Beere said that three factors

had been concerning employers: The shortage of skilled labour. The increasing cost of training apprentices (which would be even higher now that in most new awards pay rates have risen to the ruling rates). The fact that firms which train apprentices often lose them to other firms when the apprenticeships are completed and the men become productive tradesmen.

“There are some employers in every industry who constantly train apprentices at very considerable cost There are others who do not and who obtain skilled labour by offering young tradesmen high wages when they finish their apprenticeships,” said Mr Beere. Some reimbursement of employers who trained apprentices was needed to make more skilled people available for wealth-producing industries.