Apprenticeship contract request dismissed

Press, 4 March 1983, Page 4

Apprenticeship contract request dismissed

The Arbitration Court has dismissed an application by a Timaru youth and his employer to establish an apprenticeship contract in brake servicing. The case was heard in February by way of an appeal against a refusal of the District Commissioner of apprenticeship in Timaru, Mrs L. R. Simmons, to allow the contract.

During the hearing it was suggested that the question of youth rates of pay, something the Government has advocated to stimulate employment of young people, was involved.

On that point, Chief Judge J. R. P. Horn said in his decision this week: "We make it clear that we have not considered this aspect in dealing with the matter presently before the Court."

Chief Judge Horn said that the work of brake specialists was an extending field. There was a brake specialists’ association and it had been trying to establish a training scheme, so far without success. Discussions on the matter were continuing. However, the motor industry apprenticeship order of 1979 provides some training in brakes and the trade’s

apprenticeship committee had opposed any further fragmentation of the tradesman's skills required to be taught under that order. The Judge concluded that in the light of the further

discussions expected to be held, the Court did not consider it was appropriate for it to determine the matter. The application for an apprenticeship contract was, therefore, declined.