More Maori Apprentices

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 10, 10 November 1977, Page 8

More Maori Apprentices

The Maori Affairs Department will recruit an extra 132 apprentices for its trades training scheme next year. New Plymouth and Manukau (Auckland) areas have been chosen for the increase says the department's trade training officer. Mr Bill Panapa. The lack of hostel accomodation in other areas has restricted the areas of increase he adds. The Manukau Technical Institute will offer women's hairdressing (the first course for women), panel-beating, coach and body building, a secretarial course, meat retailing and general merchandising. The New Plymouth Technical Institute wilf offer fitting and building; painting and decorating; fitting and turning; and joinery.

The courses are for rural Maori youth and this policy has been widely criticised as discriminating against urban youth. However. Mr Panapa

says the unions want apprentices from the country. "The unions feel the city youngsters can look after themselves because they are already in the city (environment). The Labour Department is investigating the idea of a city youth trade training scheme. The expansion of courses

for rual youth has disappointed Mr Witi Ihimaera of Wellington. It was time city boys and girls were given a* chance he said. ' "The department is behind the times ... 70 per cent of Maoris are already living in the cities and 59 per cent of this population was under 25 years old.” said Mr Ihimaera.