APPRENTICES

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1937, Page 5

APPRENTICES

A SHORTAGE j

STATEMENT BV MINISTER.

(Per Press Association—Copyright).

WELLINGTON, April 30.

Arising from the statements made at the meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Cbmmerce, Hon. P. C. Webb, Acting-Minister of Labour, points out that the basic wage does not apply to apprentices employed under contracts of apprenticeship entered into under the Apprentices’ Act, irrespective of age. Provision w«s made in the Statutes Amendment Act, last session, to enable the Minister of Labour to * approve any contract of apprenticeship applying to youths of eighteen and over, under any conditions the Minister thought fit. This provision was-made specially to give such youths the s opportunity, of becoming tradesmen. The number of apprentices in the skilled trades in 1928 was 10,277, and in? 1935 it was 3502. In order to maintain the necessary supply there should be approximately 2000 new apprenticeships entered into each year. FDdring the last five years, the number was 700. Last year ’fjiere was some improvement, 1292 new contracts fieing registered. It should-he understood;-however, thae of the- present number of*; apprentices a large proportion are fourth or fifth year. The position disclosed that the employers are not availing themselves of the existing provisions for taking on apprentices, and are not training the requisite numbers to supply the demand, and meet . further requirements. The Government is fully alive to the problem, and the question of a general overhaul of the Apprentices’ Act is under consideration. >

It is also pointed out that it is open to employers and workers’- organisations to come together with a view to obtaining apprenticeship orders, m other occupations than where there i 3 an award or f *industrial agreement. After referring ,\to the. provision for obtaining under-rate permits in special cases, Mr Webb stated that it it is found necessary ,to remove any disabilities that cannot .be overcome in the manner outlined, the matter will receive the sympathetic consideration of the Government..