Builders to press for registration

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 38

Builders to press for registration

PA Blenheim The Master Builders’ Federation will push for legislation requiring builders to be registered. The federation’s management councillor, Mr Andrew Curran, told the federation’s annual conference at Blenheim that the Minister of Housing (Mr Quigley) was “a real strength behind the registration issue.” . • Support for registration' from about 660 people at the conference showed 80 per cent were in favour of the idea, the majority of those' against being-architects. “They believe in ‘buyer ■

beware,’ use an architect instead,” said Mr Curran. More people would enter the industry with better qualifications if registration-was adopted, and they would understand contractual and financial procedures. “We have the necessary support to go to the commit,tee now, but we have to be able to show that support,” said Mr Curran. The present system of open, tendering also came in for discussion at the conference. Mr J. D. Woulfe, of Otago, told delegates that the present tendering, system had serious deficiencies.

He said although it was a contractor’s right to submit a bid and the owner’s fight to accept the lowest price, the practice sometimes led to frustration and to financial problems. An alternative method was needed to give the client and builder a system to work towards common goals. Mr F. B. Allen, of Wellington, said the probability of both the client arid builder being satisfied was nil. Mr L. Cadzow, of the federation’s management council, said the remit had been put forward to create discussion on the matter.'He said

he was concerned about the tendering system. “I do not believe the average builder realises the liability placed on him when he signs the contract,” he said. “He accepts a responsibility far beyond the return he gets from his successful bid.” The future of apprentice-' ships was also discussed. The Government’s White Paper on the future of apprenticeships, which suggested a number of changes to apprenticeships, met with a mixed response from delegates. Most agreed, however, that it was important an appren-tice-become productive more

quickly. This could be achieved by a more extensive trade course at secondary school. The basic skills of most trades could be taught at about fourth-form or fifthform level and would allow pupils a view of a trade before entering an apprenticeship contract. Some delegates said there was scope for a pre-employ-ment training scheme, possibly a 12-month course, which could be taken at a technical institute and which would make an apprentice more useful to an employer earlier in an apprenticeship. * The duration of the train-

ing scheme could ,be deducted from the apprentice contract of 8000 hours.

Auckland delegates’ views that there was room for modification to the 8000 hours contract, which was “too rigid,” were unsupported'by the conference. Southern delegates also agreed there was room for modification within the apprentice contracts but the 8000 hours should be retained. Those in favour of the 8000 hours felt it gave a young person enough time to mature.

All skills required to be taught to apprentices at present should be retained, according to most attending the conference. Although some apprentices were not needed by some employers, especially in the Auckland area, all apprentices should be taught the skills.