APPRENTICESHIP PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18481, 18 August 1923, Page 11

APPRENTICESHIP PROBLEM

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS. j'j; . __. 1 'REMOVING RESTRICTIONS. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON. Friday. A statement in reference to the proposals in the Apprentices Bill was mado by Mr. Albert Spencer, president of the Auckland Employers' Association, who has been in Wellington in connection with the proposed new legislation. " The proportion of youths offering themselves lor apprenticeship to-3ay," said Mr. Spencer, " is small because they were keeping on at school beyond the age when they should become apprenticed.. They should be apprenticed at the age of 15 or 16, so that they finish at 21 or 22. ' " It is hoped that the Apprentices Bill now before the House will make things easier for both parties by removing many of the irksome restrictions. In this case, the employer would be willing to take an apprentice at 20 to 25 years of age, because, if he shows aptitude and ability, he will be examined by a special committee, and graded and paid accordingly. The Board of Commissioners which it is hoped will be established, will be able to terminate an apprenticeship in the event of the apprentice being unsuitable, and at the same time afford him an opportunity in some other channel. "Even in the printing trade there is a lack of competent men, for there are many indifferent journeymen engaged in it. It is possible that a school for linotype operators may be established in Auckland. Some printing houses will not take apprentices, but under the proposed new legislation it may be necessary to force upon employers in this and other trades the taking in of a certain proportion of apprentices. Some of the employers will not like this, but they must look to the future, and if they are going to meet the competition from abroad, of which I spoke, they must train their young generation to become skilled -workmen and provide a greater volume of skilled labour against the day when they- have to meet that competition, so that such a clause would be for their ultimate good. Unless something of this sort is done New Zealand will have to continue to rely upon the amount of skilled labour she can import from Home." .'■■■--