YOUTHS—THEIR FUTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 141, 11 December 1935, Page 10

YOUTHS—THEIR FUTURE

COURSES OF TRAINING

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your correspondent, "Constructive," has made reference to the very point that has been exercising the minds of educationists and vocational officers for the past few years: "Are youths being employed in positions which should be given to experienced men?" but he seems to suggest that those who are responsible for the placing of boys and girls in employment regard with complete satisfaction the large numbers that have found positions this year.

Now, Sir, while my report did sound a note of satisfaction with regard to the successful placing of youths where evidence of trade recovery was indi.cated, it also sounded another note of •>ery definite warning against the indiscriminate employment of young people whose courses of training were incomplete. I quite agree with the contention that "if the end is to make 'relief workers' of those same boys due to replacement—a little time- and thought should be given to the question by those in authority." As one of those responsible I would like to assure your correspondent that much time and thought is given to this difficult question.

A perusal of the 1935 report of the New Zealand Unemployment Board shows that put of the 50,590 unemployed in July last 21,345 were unskilled labourers. Such figures should be sufficient warning- to all parents to see that their children are so trained fthat there will be little possibility of T;heir entering the ranks of the unskilled; for it is this class that is first to suffer in an economic depression. Our own institution is taking every possible step to avoid this by advising both parents and pupils concerning suitable courses, how long students should remain at college, and what positions to accept. All this is done after taking into consideration the age and aptitudes of the pupils together with the anticipated demand for labour in the various trades and professions. Furthermore, we do not supply students to firms where we think that the position offered should be given to experienced men. During the present year we have had several overtures of this nature, but all have been rejected. '■

Your correspondent refers to advertisements asking for 6 and 8 boys at a time. He is possibly correct when he suggests that one experienced man would fill the requirements just as well; but our experience has proved that such offers are not very satisfactory even for men—as the jobs are seldom permanent. We regard all such openings with suspicion.

In addition to this we are carefully watching those firms which show tendencies of employing young men and dispensing with their services when they are due for promotion. Where this occurs we take every step to prevent our students from being penalised.

In conclusion, I should like to state that in the placing of every student in employment, this question is constantly before us:—"By accepting this position, does this student run the risk of future unemployment?" In this, I know that the Wellington Technical College is not playing a lone hand, as there are many other secondary schools throughout the Dominion that adopt a similar policy. There is much more that could be done, but I think you will agree, Sir, that we are doing all that we can in the limited time at our disposal.— I am, etc.,

ALLAN A. KIRK, Vocational Master.

Technical College, December 10.