EMPLOYMENT OF YOUTHS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 41, 12 November 1937, Page 6

EMPLOYMENT OF YOUTHS

A great shortage of men for skilled trades in the building industry is at present being felt iu the Hutt Valley, and for certain classes of work the Government Placement Office at Lower Hutt is unable to supply labour. At the present time the offices at both Petone and Lower Hutt are co-operating in the youth emplovnymt scheme, under which the Government proposes to increase the number of youths employed in the building industry. At present the scheme, which is known as scheme 16, applies only to the carpentering and bricklaying trades. A fair amount of success has been experienced in the Hutt Valley in the placing of youths as apprentices and trainees under this scheme, but there are still a large number of suitable youths awaiting engagement. Qf the total placements xvjth private firms since April 1, 1937, the Hutt Valley centre stands fourth in New Zealand, with a total of 1315 positions found. Registrations at the present time are the lowest they have ever been in the Hutt Valley. Shortage of Skilled Men. There is definitely a shortage of skilled labour at the present time, according to the Lower Hutt placement officer, Mr. K. Whelan. Painters and pajierhangers are in demand, and there is a very definite shortage of carpenters. With the new Government contracts let this week, it is expected that the position in the building industry will be even more acute. The closing down of one of the large motor factories at Petone has increased the activities of the offices at both Petone and Lower Hutt, a large number of the men put off enrolling for employment. Although the closing is only temporary, many of these men are to secure employment as soon as possible, and many ofi them will be placed in other industries requiring labour. Among the other trades requiring labour are the joinery, bricklaying and other building trades. Bricklayers are not in the demand that they were a few weeks ago, however, because of a shortage of steel for building purposes. At present the service is anxious to obtain positions for market gardeners and men who, although not skilled gardeners, are capable of carrying out this work. The service has a number of men recorded who are unsuitable for any heavy work but can do gardening. Seasonal work, such as in freezing works and wool stores, is expected to relieve the position still further in the next few weeks.