FEW INTERESTED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4252, 8 March 1950, Page 5

FEW INTERESTED

CARPENTRY TRAINING REHABILITATION CENTRE THAMES SCHOOL TO CLOSE (Contributed by Paeroa Rehabilitation Office.) Messrs. S. Gaspar, member of the Rehabilitation Board, J. Mclvor, controller of trade training, H. C. Smith, chief instructor of Auckland, and W. P. Corrigan, rehabilitation officer, Paeroa, recently visited Thames for the purpose of discussing with the Thames Rehabilitation Committee the future of the carpentry training centre.

Though every endeavour has been made to interest ex-servicemen in accepting training in the trade, only one applicant considered suitable for training has applied for admission to the training centre since December, 1948, and it does seem that the centre has served its purpose as far as a rehabilitation measure is concerned, and that some consideration should be given to closing down the department’s activities &s men under training complete their term of engagement. Should there be any ex-service-men in the area still interested in training in this particular trade, they should contact the rehabilitation officer at Paeroa immediately. This opportunity is not confined to returned servicemen only, but is open to home servicemen, ex “J” force men, and in certain circumstances to men of the forces of His Majesty’s allies. Since a training centre was established at Thames and the first class commenced training on May 22, 1946, a total of 105 men have passed through the centre. There are 20 men still under training, while 65 have completed their full term of training and are now employed by building contractors or are engaged on their own account throughout the North Island. Some 20 are recorded as not having completed their full term of training, but some 12 of these men either transferred to other centres or accepted private employment before tiie completion of the two year period. Regular reports on the progress of ex-trainees are obtained by the Rehabilitation Department, Paeroa, from employers, and in most cases it has been proven that the ex-trainees are holding their own in th industry and are making considerable progress in the building trade. The following comments by two well-known contractors in the Waikato area are indicative of the progress being made by these men. A leading Hamilton contractor comments:

“This ex-traidee is carrying out his work most satisfactorily and is a really good man. The training given these boys is a great credit to your department." And again from another contractor:

“The ex-trainee employed by me is making exceptionally good progress, being a very willing and neat worker. I would like another five of eix of these men as soon as they become available." Though the training of ex-service-men has necessarily been the main concern of the Rehabilitation Board, the Department has, too, assisted in overcoming the housing problem in at least two towns in the area by reason of its activities. To date 30 houses ftpve been completed and hand, ed over for occupation by tenants in Thames, while 13 are still in various stages of construction. Of this latter figure, nine are awaiting the completion of work by tub-contractors before being available for allocation.

At Paeroa 12 houses have been completed and made available for allocation, four are awaiting completion of work by sub-contractors, while nine are in process of construction.

Mr. Gaspar during the meeting also indicated that the department has now made arrangements with the Education Department for a special syllabus covering advanced carpentry training which would be advantageous to ex-servicemen trainees who have completed training to be made available through the various technical night schools, and provided sufficient interst was shown in Thames, it may be possible to establish a class there.

Mr. S. Ensor, mayor of Thames, thanked Mr. Gaspar and his associates for the consideration they had shown the committee at all times, and indicated that an effort would be made to interest ex ssrriesmra in this special course. He agreed that the department had done an esoeellrat job in both the training of men sad belying to overcome the housing shortage. The position wm stiM desperate inrofar as housing was conrasned at Thames, but he realised there was

little the department could do if suitable applicants for training were not forthcoming. Hia committee had endaavourod to intarert men in the trade, but unfortunately their effort* had not boon inooeaafoL