SKILLED WORKERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22177, 2 August 1935, Page 14

SKILLED WORKERS

NEED IN INDUSTRY AN EMPLOYMENT PROBLEM OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH TRADES SCHOOL PROPOSED Proposals for tho establishment of n trades school in Auckland for the purpose of training for entry :into usoful occupations youths who through tho depressed state of industry in tho past few years havo failed to find openings for their services were discussed at a preliminary conference at tho Seddon Memorial Technical College yesterday afternoon. Tho conference was arranged by Mr. W. Slaughter, officer in charge of unemployment in tho Auckland district, who ,presided, and there were present Mr. W. Bromley, deputy-chairman of tho Unemployment Board, representatives of tho boot industry, Sir Joseph Smith, chairman of tho Boys' Employment Committee, and Mr. J. Findlay, secretary of tho Auckland Manufacturers' Association. In explaining tho reasons for the conference, Mr. Slaughter referred to tho great numher of boys and girls who had left and were learin; school, hut were denied the opportunity of starting in some occupation that would become their life's work. There was now an opportunity for industry to do something to provide for the future absorption of these young people. Position i:n Boot Industry Mr. Slaughter said ho had selected ihe boot industry as tho first to have tho proposal submitted to it because he know that this trado was suffering from a dearth of young peoplo with technical training. This also applied to many other trados, and ho hoped that tho meeting would bo the beginning of a campaign which would lead to the provision of skilled workers for all industries. His suggestion was that trado schools should bo set up to train suitable boys and girls,. The manufacturers would be expected to do their v part. He understood that assistance could bo obtained from the Education Department and lie was authorised to say that tho Unemployment Board I would give favourable consideration to an application for assistance to a suitable scheme. It was for the manufacturers to say whether they considered they would benefit from being able to employ a better-trainisd class of worker. Mr. H. Dearsly said ho weuld hail with delight some such scheme for it was most important that tho industry should havo a new type of worker, as tho old order was passing away. Apart from that he thought the manufacturers ' would support such a scheme for they were as desirous as: anyone of soeing tho boys and girls usefully employed. Effects of Apprentices Act In a general discussion it was pointed out that owing to the operation of the Apprentices Act during the depression years the employers in the boot industry had not been able to train sufficient youths to keep up the supply of qualified journeymen, and while the position was difficult now, it would become acuto in the .next few years. Moreover, before the war they depended on immigration from England for their, highly-skilled workers, but ' this supply had been cut off, and the great need to-day was for expert cutters and designers. There had also been great changes in methods in the factories and thero would be scope for the employment of youths trained in these blanches, sis well as girls who could bo trained cis highly-skilled machinists. It was agreed that it would not be possible to teach the whole of the trade in a trado school, but if the scheme were adopted they could start with teaching tho boys cutting and clicking and the girls machining, with tho addition of iectujes on the industry generally. Unemployment Board's Attitude Mr. Bromley, who arrived from Rotorua alter the start of the conference, explained what the Unemployment Board had done in certain trades in helping men who had been away from their trades to regain their efficiency. He knew there was a shortage of Bkilled men in many trades,, and he was anxious to know what the board could do to help in remedying the position. He emphasised the point, however, that the manufacturers would he expected to do their part. Some of the manufacturers said tho present? laws governing industry were not applicable to present conditions and' somo amendment would bo necessary. They did not wish the unions to think that, they were looking for dheap labour, or that youths should be taken oA to replace the men. Tho fact was that they did noi; have the skilled men, partly from their inability to employ apprentices in tho last few years, with the result that there wero cases where fifth year apprentices were being immediately followed by first year boys. Requirements of School The steps necessary to set up a trade school were explained by Mr. G v J. Park, director of tho Seddon Memorial Technical College, who said thO value of technical training of boys was recognised in many of the Auckland trades, particularly in tho engineering tirade, which looked to the college for suitable boys. He pointod out that a certain amount of machinery would bo necessary, as lectures would not bo sufficient. Tho success achieved by the Boys' Employment Committee iri training hoys and giving them an assured future on the land was mentioned by Sir Joseph Smith, who said it was for the boot trade to tako the initiative in this matter. With tho cooperation of tho Government, which was assured, they could build up their industry and provido tho skilled workers who would certainly bo needed within the next five years. Finally Mr. Slaughter said that if those present could formulate a scheme find submit it to tho Unemployment Board with the idea of providing employment ho was sure the board would help. At his suggestion it was decided to give iho manufacturers an opportunity to think over tho proposal and discuss ib among themselves, after which a further conference would bo called. ;