APPRENTICESHIP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17328, 17 November 1916, Page 9

APPRENTICESHIP.

THE MAKING OF TRADESMEN.

AN INDUSTRIAL PROBLEM

DISCUSSED.

The question of apprenticeship was discussed at tho annual conference of tho New Zealand Builders and Contractors Federation at Wellington on Tuesday, states the "Dominion." The following remit was received from .£ho Wellington Association: —"That in view of the shortage of competent journeymen in the building trades, and in order to ensure a supply of workmen for the future, this conference urges the master builders to take apprentices and assist in and encourage their training at technical schools." This romit was adopted, and a paper dealing with the subject was read by Mr W. H. Bennett, of Wellington. Mr Bennett referred to tho gravity of the situation arising from the failure of employers to train apprentices, thus bringing about a reduction in the number of competent tradesmen. He said it was most important that employers should arrange for the training of a sufficient number of young workers, and that the awards should make it worth while for boys to give their best attention to tho work art) which they were to get their living. " We must try to place the trade on a higher level than it occupies at the present time," said Mr Bennett, " aud wo must bring such pressure to bear r upon Government, municipal audi local bodies, as will make it utterly impossible for men to pass as tradesmen who have not thoroughly equipped themselves to earn tho wage attached to tho various awards. In order to overcome tho shortage of boys offering, we must endeavour te educate publio opinion, and parents in particular. It is a Jamentable fact that when boys leave school parents ofton look at the immediate present and at tho wages a lad can cam without prospect of future independence, rather than let a boy take a lower wage for the first few years of his working life, and become an artisan, tho most independent member of tho community, for his trade will take him the world over. I fear tho mothers of our nation are not blameless :n this matter. How often do we hear the statement made that mothers' like to see their sons going and coming from their occupations well dressed; it is more fashionable to be a bank clerk than a joiner; there is something wrong with our social system; it wants remedying. What, then, can be done to overcome the difficulties that beset our pathP It was because I thought that this conference might give some assistance in th« matter that I promised to open up the question. Can and does our educational system as at present constituted assist us? I think it does not; the very fact that a. lad has to loavo the primary school at the ago of fourteen is in itself an immense drawback. Wo generally consider that a boy is not an industrial asset under the ago of sixteen years; this leaves a gap of two years, in which the. lads drift away to this and that, as message boys, etc., cud their tastes and en-orgy are directed into other directions than industrial. Neither do our Arbitration awards assist us in this matter, for w.e can only employ a lad for three months without making him an apprentice. If ho could bo employed about a builder's shop running messages, learning the use of the hammer and saw during these two' years, he would be more likely to make a good tradesman, when he did take up the business seriously.''

Mr" Bennett urged that attendance at technical schools, for tho study of theory and the acquirement of general knowledge, should be a condition of apprenticeship. He suggested that the building trade, like the plumbing trade, should be closed to those who could not prove at examinations their possession of the proper knowledge and skill. It might bo necessary to allow lads time off in working hours in order that they should attend classes and become proficient workmen. Mr Bennett mentioned the part-time schools that are in operation in parts of the United States, and suggested that if attendance at technical schools were made compulsory, with a graded series of examinations for young tradesmen, it would be necessary to establish a Board of Control,'with statutory power to watch tho interests of employer and apprentice, and see that both parties did their duty.

In conclusion, Mr Bennett made the following suggestions:—" Firstly, that where possible members take the maximum number of apprentices allowed by tho Court of Arbitration. Secondly, that in each district whore there is a technical school, and no Building Board of Control exists, endeavours be made to get such a board appointed, by approaching the Technical School Board. Such Board of Control to consist of one representative from the_ Architects' Institute, Builders' Association, Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, and one from the Technical School Board, 'with the Chief Director, who shall act as its secretary and cal! meetings. The functions of this Board of Control would bo to consult with and advise the directors as to best methods of instructing the pupils in suitable subjects when sotting up the work for the coming sessions. The setting up of examination papers and examinations in practice, the procuring of pupils, and creating a better knowledge of the trade amongst parents and guardians, etc. The setting up of visiting committees from the Architects' Institute and Builders' Association, as well as tho Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, who shall report to their various bodies on the work being done in the school. Thirdly, that the association offer special inducements to apprentices to attend the clashes by way of prizes to those who pass the examinations in the various years, and that tho employers give extra wages to those lads qualifying in their last two yoars of their apprenticeship."