"DEAD-END" JOBS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 83, 5 October 1944, Page 8

"DEAD-END" JOBS

LONG VIEW URGED

REHABILITATION POLICY

An assurance that the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen, whether in trades, on farms, in businesses, or in professions, will be carried out on a rational basis, with every regard for the interests of the man himself, was given by the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr. Skinner) today.

"The Rehabilitation Board will always endeavour to take the long view in encouraging applicants for such assistance to seek a career with a reasonably secure future," said the Minister. "There are at present many casual occupations which, under war conditions, offer very attractive pay, ! and although the Government has no wish actually to bar ex-servicemen from following such temporary pursuits while wages are high, we must advise everyone returning to civilian life that personal and family security 1 does not lie along that uncertain line." Real rehabilitation could only be achieved in permanent and constructive occupations, and the unskilled or partly-skilled ex-serviceman ' seeking placement should, in both his own and the community's interests, take [ advantage of the opportunities offered for training in various trades. Every effort was made, Mr. Skinner said to keep men out of "dead-end" occupaI tions. Not only the conditions of work and pay, but also the potential demand for labour was taken into account by the Rehabilitation Board when considering applications for training or placement in any trade or profession [The se^rity of the individual and the general economic welfare of the counI try were naturally interdependent and so every care was taken to guide men into occupations which were not likely to be glutted with surplus labour on the return of normal conditions. CARPENTRY TRAINING. "The trade of carpentry is accordingly high on the priority list," said the Minister, "and carpentry training centres have for some time been established at Auckland. Rotorua (Maori), Napier, Wellington (Miramar), Pe^ tone, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Cabinet has given approval for a second centre at Auckland, and others at Kaikohe and Gisborne (Maori and pakeha), Timaru, Westport, and Invercargill. So far, one of the main limiting factors has been the shortage of tools, but expected shipments should soon ease the position." Each trainee was supplied with a tool kit of 24 articles, for which he repaid the Rehabilitation Department by instalments. At the centres the trainees would have four months' intensive workshop tuition, covering both practice and theory, followed by eight months under expert supervision in the actual construction of State houses. During, the first eight months the weekly wage was £5 ss, and for the last four months £5 7s 6d. After twelve months at the centre, the trainee would be placed in normal employment with contractors and would be required to serve for at least three years in the industry at award rates.

An ex-serviceman accepted for training in carpentry would be required to attend one of the Rehabilitation Board's centres. If married, he would be considered for subsidised training . with a private employer in his home district, unless his home were near a training centre, when he would be required to train there.

"We are at present considering the establishment of training centres for other trades in the building group," added the Minister, "and I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly."

Ltd., additional subscription, £ 289; Staff Whitehead and Pears, £121; Physical Laboratories Employees, £217; Felt and Textiles. Ltd., £5000; Excelsior Supply, additional subscription, £500; members of the Wellesley Club, £350; Staff of Crown Laundry, Ltd., National Savings, £100; Staff Ideal Shoe Co., £ 420; Wellington Plumbing Supplies, Ltd., £500; Trustees Joseph Dwyer Estate, £1000; Todd Motors, Ltd., Staff, £160; Wellington Competitions Society, £ 100.