TRAINING OF YOUTHS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 2, 28 September 1937, Page 11

TRAINING OF YOUTHS

Building And Bricklaying Trades

TECHNICAL COLLEGE AID

“Recently the Minister of Labour made a public statement that it is the intention of the Government to take a more active part in the training lor at least two industries,” stated the director, Mr. R. G. ■ Rid ling, in his report at last night’s meeting of the board of governors of the Wellington Technical College. “Recruits are required for both building and bricklaying. In this statement it was pointed out that the assistance of the technical colleges throughout New Zealand would be lequired. It is the beginning of the adoption of the trade school in New Zealand. “I am convinced that the technical college can, and should, take an active part iu this training. It is the normal extension of the pre-vocational work done in the day school, and though, it is being adopted because of present industrial and training difficulties once it is established I think it will continue and be developed to embrace other industries as well as the two for which it is at the moment designed. “Any scheme, therefore, put into operation now should be very carefully watched and regarded as experimental; It should be subject to quick and perhaps frequent modification, as experience shows changes to be necessary and desirable. One very essential thing is that the pre-vocational education of youth should be scrupulously guarded, and that entry into any trade school or under any trade training scheme should be not permitted until the early education of the youth is complete. “One of the reasons for the long period of apprenticeship in most trades to-day is the age of a recruit. Employers find that young lads and young girls do not settle to learn. Consequently they demand, in some cases, a more or less lengthy period of trial and training to safeguard themselves. A great deal of this time might be saved if they would wait till the age at which the youth is naturally fitted and ready to take up industrial work.” The report was approved.