TRAINING IN TRADES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 104, 4 May 1937, Page 10

TRAINING IN TRADES

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—The majority of skilled trades today are urgently in need of skilled men. That these men are not available is no fault of the employer; past circumstances precluded the employer taking apprentices. These black days for the moment are past, and employers should be encouraged to take boys and youths and teach them useful trades; obstacles shold be removed and union secretaries should be helpful. The majority of trades allow one apprentice to two journeymen and the union secretary will see this clause strictly enforced, and yet not enough tradesmen are available. Boys want to learn trades, and employers are willing to teach them, yet union-secre-taries and some journeymen apparently want to keep many trades a close corporation. , Let us all be'honest with the boys and youths and for a few years modify our restrictions. As regards adult apprentices, the Minister of Labour is no doubt sincere when he, says he is out.to help these youths. Again, the employer who is willing to take adult apprentices usually meets with difficulties from a hostile Labout Departiment as well as Labour members .of the Apprentices Committee. Private enterprise is responsible for the training of the large majority of apprentices in skilled work and today private enterprise is getting all the kicks. Skilled men are coming into New Zealand in small numbersbricklayers, painters, etc: What about our youths?—l am, etc.,

CRAFTSMAN.