Shortage of skills

Press, 5 December 1979, Page 24

Shortage of skills

Sir, — Mr C. W. White, president of the CanterburyEmployers’ Association believes that New Zealand is faced with a severe shortage of skills. He seems to blame the quality of education and training of our youth. We know that many, particularly trained people, emigrate. Others choose to work beneath their capacity in industry, and there are many strains caused by the relative devaluation of skills, training and dedication. As our reward system is shaped by the relative pressures which are applied, we can expect to solve this problem — and some of the educational system’s problems — when the skill shortage becomes too painful. Employers will then pay more for skills. In the meantime, we can expect the shortfall to be supulied in round about ways, by more realistic and self-disciplined foreign economies. The price will be in loss of export income and a lower standard of living for us all here. — Yours, etc., R. A. SMITHAM. December 3, 1979. Sir, — In your editorial (December 3) you commented on this matter and quoted the president of the Canterbury Employers’ Association as to how this is affecting the engineering section. I would suggest that the cause of these skilled people leaving the industry is the lack of margins for skill. It is unfortunately a fact that a watersider or a freezing worker can earn far more than a tradesman, and in many cases by working fewer hours a week. It would be interesting to know how many indentured tradesmen have left their trade to earn more money in unskilled or semi-skilled occupations. Perhaps the Canterbury manufacturers should have a good look at the rates paid to skilled tradesmen. — Yours, etc., A. E. BALDWIN. December 3, 1979. Sir, — Your editorial (December 3), “A Shortage of skills,” is somewhat in-

conclusive in so far as it does not quote the total number of skilled persons who have left New Zealand permanently since 1975. My letter of September 10 gave a breakdown for one year only, while the total for the four years of the National Government is, I believe, at present unpublished. This figure is vital to any true assessment of the skilled exodus which obviously affects conclusions engendered by your article. Whatever this total is, it is a rather poor reflection on the Muldoon regime, if only for the fact that the skilled can. readily find better incomes, conditions and standards of living elsewhere. Small wonder aspiring students and apprentices are all set to hit the trail as soon as they qualify. — Yours, etc., ARTHUR MAY. December 3, 1979.