Training ‘archaic’

Press, 31 October 1979, Page 14

Training ‘archaic’

PA Auckland The “archaic” apprenticeship system should be reviewed, according to the Auckland Technical Institute’s vice-principal, Mr J. Powell.

“We have got to look at our technology very closely and find out whether the skills that are set out in apprenticeships are still fundamental,” Mr Pow'ell said.

“The present system is bogging us dowm. I don’t believe anybody has established that it takes four or fire years to train someone as a plumber or gas fitter.”

Overseas indications were that it did not take this long, but New Zealand persisted with an 800-year-old system, he said.

“We are still in the master and servant relationship.”

Mr Powell said there was a shortage of labour in the engineering and metal trades and employers were recruiting overseas.

“But the number of apprentices has dropped. The average size o'f such firms in Auckland is about 10 people, with one or two notable exceptions. These, small firms may be diffident about taking on apprentices.”

Mr Powell supported the idea of apprentices being bonded to the industry rather than to cme employer. They could be moved then from firm to firm as work demanded it, and perhaps learn skills at one that another did not cater for.

Mr Powell pointed out that nursing, similar to the apprenticeship system, had decided that training was better done in techni-

cal institutes. Mr Powell said the Auckland Technical Institute hoped to introduce a course in a few basic skills.

“These would be a stopgap measure — they should really be taught in secondary schools,” he said.

Mr Powell said many people found their future vocations by “rubbing shoulders with a bit of woodwork and metalwork.”

Mr Powell taught at Seddon .Memcrrial Technical College, often alleged to be a “tough” school.

“We had some of the hardest nuts from some of the seamiest parts of the city, but we did not have any bother with them.” Mr Powell said. “That was because we provided a diet that suited them, and thev were interested.”