VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE

Evening Star, Issue 22414, 11 August 1936, Page 2

VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORT The annual report of the Dunedin Vocational Guidance Association for the year ended July 31 states; — During the year the association has continued to develop in accordance with the aims of the founders. The methods employed in the placement of young people in positions are not carried out in a haphazard manner. The opinions of the teachers of these young persons are obtained regarding the ability, aptitude, and special characteristics of the latter, and, if necessary, special intelligence tests are obtained. These are all taken into consideration by our experienced vocational guid L ance officer, and the satisfactory results of his labour speak for themselves. We are grateful that parents and young people are increasingly calling at our office for this purpose. Wo claim that we are filling a most important place in the community. We are not experimenting with the lives of boys and gilds, but our results and those of past years’ work amply testify to the soundness of vocational guid>ance. In the choice of a school course or an occupational career our organisation can offer details of experiences and vocations not readily available to the general community. We assure employers that we can discover the most suitable boys and girls for vacancies as such occur on staffs. The association receives encouraging support from a connection of progressive employers, who regularly engage junior workers through our office. By this co-operation we are enabled to anticipate requirements in varying callings, and frequently to place in suitable work a girl or boy of a peculiar ability. Most people are well aware of the economic benefits resulting to a boy or girl engaging in a suitable calling, while agreeable and successful work adds contentment and satisfaction in its doing. Besides being a source of great satisfaction to this executive, and our members generally, this latter has a social value not lightly to be estimated. On his return from a visit to Britain and the United States of America the Director of Education presented a report in which he discussed vocational guidance work abroad and in this country, concluding with these encouraging words referring to New _ Zealand vocational guidance advising:— “ I am sure that if we extend what these teachers are doing we shall arrive at a vocational guidance technique 'that will be valuable under normal economic conditions.”

The change in the members of the New Zealand Government has_ removed known ' faces and good friends from influential positions. While we are sorry to lose their assistance and advice, often so generously given, we know that tho members of the new Government are doing all in their power for the welfare of the youth of the Dominion. Already we have been honoured by commendatory communications from Ministers. To Hon. F. Jones heartiest congratulations were expressed on his elevation to Cabinet rank; his tine personal qualities make promotion especially acceptable to Dunedin people. Pressure ot State affairs compelled his retirement from active membership dated from the inception of our association, but we know we are assured of his interest.

Due to the pressure of other social legislation, an Apprentice Act has not yet. been introduced to Parliament for consideration. We are confident that this will be done before our next annual meeting and that it will be framed for the mutual benefit of the parties concerned. New Shops and Offices and Factories Acts have recently come into force, and the working of these new laws will be watched with interest. As was stated in our last year’s report, these are matters in which all parents should evince marked interest. During the year Mrs S. M. Park was compelled by the pressure of other engagements to resign from the convenership of the Girls’ Work Committee, and Miss L. Sullivan agreed to fill the office for the remainder of the term. We are grateful to the ladies comprising this committee; they have done a considerable amount of visiting in factories, shops, and work places to familiarise themselves with the varying conditions of employment. While the problem of actual employment of girls would seem to bo less acute than formerly, a great deal remains to be done in advertising the advantages of certain occupations and the disadvantages of others. The necessity for vocational guidance for children cannot be too strongly emphasised on parents. Mr J. R. Robertson has compiled several tables showing the destinations of pupils leaving primary schools and also the occupations entered upon by secondary school leavers. These figures are interesting and informative, and must be of value to research students in years to come. Last year 918 children left the primary schools in Dunedin, and of this number 76.25 per cent, proceeded to post-primary schools, this being 0:57 per cent, fewer than the previous year and 3.73 per cent, fewer than in 1933. Of pupils leaving primary schools there has been for the last few years a steady rise in the percentage employed, and of those leaving post-primary schools an increase of 7.36 per cent, is shown in the numbers in employment as compared with those in 1933, with a corresponding drop in the unemployed. It is interesting to note that, compared with the previous year, 4 per cent, more have entered commercial occupations and slightly over 5 per cent, more entered on a trades apprenticeship. Shops and warehouses and farming show_ practically no change in numbers. It is encouraging to see that the value of secondary schooling is still realised, but, unfortunately, present indications are that the average length of stay at high and technical schools is likely to be unduly shortened.