Unemployed not rushing unskilled job offers

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33047, 14 October 1972, Page 1

Unemployed not rushing unskilled job offers

(By a staff writer)

Jobs for unskilled workers advertised in Christchurch in the last week are not being rushed by unemployed men. A survey of 33 firms which have been offering work for men and youths shows that, unless the work or pay seems to be especially attractive, the jobs arouse only limited interest.

The inquiry also shows that nearly all the jobs are given to men already working but wanting to change jobs, or to men who have recently been put out of work. Some unemployed applicants were described by employment officers and managers as being “desperate” for work. ,

Many, however, in the judgment of the employers, are not noticeably interested in the jobs or present themselves in such a manner as to be certain of rejection.

All the vacancies examined in the survey were confirmed as being suitable for unskilled workers. Several firms offered training or formal apprenticeships. All the jobs offered were in the Christchurch area, though one or two would present transport problems; and, with a few exceptions, all the work was during normal hours. All the jobs were permanent. Many youths still at school appear to be anxious about the job prospects and some, to secure a job now before a rush begins, say they are ready to leave before taking examinations. Several employers who were interviewed said they discouraged such decisions and had preferred other applicants. Not all the unskilled jobs advertised in the last week were included in the random survey; but the results of all the inquiries are summarised below.

Although some jobs remained unfilled and apparently unwanted, there were obviously more genuine applicants than vacancies offering. But it also became clear during discussions with employers that, even in times of serious labour shortage, they would not consider many of the applicants who presented themselves for employment

One construction company manager, who failed to fill labouring jobs after advertis-

ing several times, informed the Labour Department of four vacancies in his gangs. The department sent him one man. “Many come and then leave after a day of two,” he said. “We have a drawer full of uncollected pay packets.” His strongest complaint was that few men sent to him in the past by the department actually arrived to apply for work. Most returned. to the department and said they had been rejected. “They did not come here at all,” he said. There are complaints on both sides about job applications. Hopeful applicants sometimes complain that they are not told when they have been rejected. One or two managers admitted that this sometimes happened and that they had been slack in this matter. An employment officer who had himself been without work five years ago and who had applied for 40 jobs said; “That was a salutary lesson for me. I am careful to reply promptly to inquiries.” Others found difficulties in reaching applicants to give them their decision. Some complained that appointments were often made for interviews and not kept, or cancelled, by the applicants. Although job vacancies for women and girls were not extensively checked during these inquiries, there is evidence among the employers interviewed that women applicants are much more earnest than men in their pursuit of work. Although some reject offers when low pay is made known, the women applicants generally appeared to be keenly interested in getting work. The following is a summary of the answers given by employers who were asked what response their advertisements had produced: Foundry moulder. — One reply. The applicant started work yesterday. “Last week I we wanted labourers. Six applied and we engaged two. Fifty per cent of the applicants are unemployable. We (have plenty of chaps here (with long hair — good : workers." Plaster factory worker. — The only prompt applicant i started immediately. Another man applied the next day and a third telephoned later • that day. “We had similar results last June. One man came in and asked me to sign I a paper to say that he was ' not suitable. I sent him i sacking. He might have been l sent by the Labour Department.” General hand for factory-— Four applicants; two regarded as promising, one declared lack of interest, and one fairly intoxicated at 9 a.m. Tyre retreader. — “Two weeks ago we had one applicant for this work. This week about 15 applied, but half of them were definitely not suitable. We had two jobs going and filled both. One man was employed and the other ,had just been put off as

redundant. Some men telephoned about the job but did not turn up for interviews. We asked the best applicants to ’phone back to see if they got the job. Most did not.” Process worker, light engineering. — Three applicants; two were engaged. The third, explaining his being out of work for two months, was reported to have said: “Probably because I have not been looking very hard. Perhaps it’s my appearance.” Storeman and packer.—No replies to a Post Office box number after two advertisements.

Labourers for construction company. — Numerous telephone calls, but only one man arrived. Earlier advertisements produced no replies. Labour Department advised of four vacancies this week; one man sent and engaged.

Junior men’s-wear salesman. — No applications. “Three months ago we advertised for an intermediate and got a good response, but not many were employable.” Junior shop assistant—No response.

Tyre serviceman.—" Plenty of overtime in this job, but only one man replied and, on his appearance, I judged him unsuitable for the job." Assistant in chemical factory.—“We have not had one application. This has been going on all this year. One man started some weeks ago and stayed for a quarter of an hour. He declined to use the protective footwear. We took on two university dropouts with long hair—some of the best workers we have had.”

Storeman in building supplies,'Two advertisements, two replies; neither considered suitable. “Two or three of the eight who replied for a driver’s job we could genuinely consider. Some don’t even turn up when they have made an appointment and we never hear of them again. I don’t mind long hair.” Stores job in engineering plant—Two replies. “Neither were to our liking. We will try again.” Junior storeman in pharmaceutical firm.—Four applicants interviewed; none found suitable. Junior grocery assistant—“lt must be a bad time; we did not get one reply.” Storeman, engineering shop.—No replies. Restaurant waiter. — “We are prepared to train a young man who would earn $45 clear at the start. Two boys, out of work, came in. We could not even consider them.” Sign-making trainee.— One (applicant, who got the post. Factory hand. — “Two of i the dozen that applied reallyseemed to be looking for a job; the rest seemed to havei made themselves look unpresentable.” Storeman in food factory. —Five applicants after two advertisements. “Only three

worth considering. The other two were out of work but they were just no good to

Junior shoe salesman.— Four applied. “Three had jobs, but wanted a change. The other, at school, and would have left if he had been chosen.”

Butchery apprentice. —l4 replies and most rated as good prospects by the employers. General hand, joinery factory.—Seven applicants, four of them without present jobs; and ail but one genuinely seeking work, in the opinion of the manager. Storeman for furniture shop.—Eight men interviewed, and “no trouble picking from applicants of a good standard.” Labourers at $B5 a week gross.—Telephone rang persistently for two days; 44 interviewed, most out of work; job easily filled.

Youth for service station. —Seventy inquiries in two days. “Few were unemployed, some were early school leavers.” Warehouse trainee. — A dozen young applicants, “in the main good.” Job easily filled.

Warehouse Junior. — Seven applicants; five in jobs and two changing jobs, apparently on own choice. Storeman for large factory. —Two of eight applicants appointed; four out of work. Building apprentices for major contractor, —"Quite a good response. We have booked 12 for interviews and more will come before we make a selection for 1973 apprenticeships.” Builder’s labourers, small business.—“A good response and of about 15, most seemed promising. We filled the two positions.” Warehouseman, motor parts.—“ Six months ago we advertised and 30 came in looking for work. This time we had two applications. One was out of work. He had a grubby appearance—not the type we could put into this kind of job. The other was

a carpentry apprentice who had agreed with his employer to terminate the apprenticeship.” Car cleaning.— Thirty men turned up for interviews and another 30 telephoned. “Three-quarters of those who came we could not consider employing. The pay is not very good—-$49 a week. I appointed a married man who has been out of work for five weeks.”