WAREHOUSE OCCUPATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23492, 5 February 1940, Page 8

WAREHOUSE OCCUPATIONS

DISORGANISED BY CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES PLENTY OF FACTORY WORK OFFERING VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE OFFICE KEPT BUSY One function of a vocational guidance centre is to act as a sort of clearing house for information concerning various occupations, and especially to be able to advise concerning the educational and other qualifications necessary for entry into the callings followed in the locality. The local Vocational Guidance Association aims to achieve this purpose by the free distribution of booklets to schools, and by direct personal interviews.

During the .past month inquiries have brought a steady stream of callers to the association’s office. In an interview this morning, the vocational guidance officer (Mr T. Conly) stated that the majority were parents and boys wanting advice regarding school courses or the extent of schooling necessary for a preferred career, or perhaps inquiring as to the advantages of secondary schooling for a boy ultimately going to an arranged job when older. Another noticeable group of callers were the boys who, after one year’s secondary schooling, were seeking work that required a much higher standard of education than they possessed. Mr Conly discussed way's and means with the parents of these boys, and the prospects of the boys ever entering the employment sought. Of particular interest, said Mr Conly, were the hoys who had passed the University entrance examination while still under 16 years. In these cases a continuation of school life was urged, as it was felt that the maturity to be gained by an additional year at school was something to which the boys were entitled. While the association had plenty of factory work to offer boys, there were not at present many jobs in the business world for the boy of 17i years and older who had completed a school course and was now wanting office work. Warehouse occupations had been completely disorganised by changing circumstances brought about by import and war restrictions. However, the opinion was given that the same position would soon arise in most occupations as was present in 1939, when worth-while boys could be placed irrespective of their starting age. Several excellent boys have already decided to make a future in the Public Service, which is presenting its claims to the attention of boys with the necessary qualifications. Boys interested in public administration as a career are advised by the association to seek an early interview with the local liaison officer (Mr D. A. Young, of the Lands and Deeds Department).