BACK TO WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22461, 3 July 1936, Page 13

BACK TO WORK

PLACEMENT SCHEME

SEARCH FOR TRADESMEN

ENDEAVOURS IN AUCKLAND

NEW ARRANGEMENT MADE

So great has been the response in Auckland to the Labour Department's placement scheme by' unemployed men and others desiring to be re-established in their normal occupations that it has been found necessary to make some changes in the method of handling the men. Those wishing to register have been calling at the Labour Department's offices in High Street, where members of the placement officers' staff record particulars regarding their educational and technical qualifications, previous employers and periods of service, main and alternative occupations and other details of a minor nature with a view to being able to recommend the men to prospective employers with every confidence as to their suitability. It has been found that the staff employed on this work has not been able to cope satisfactorily in the present quarters with the large number of men who are calling daily, and it is now proposed to augment the staff and transfer them to the Labour Bureau on the old railway station site.

Tho position was reviewed yesterday by the Controller of Employment, M,r. A. J. 1? idler, who has been on an official visit to Auckland and he has approved tho arrangements to meet the situation. Already a difficulty has been experienced in finding sufficient skilled men for certain trades, particularly men for the upholstery and furniture trades. It has been found that a large number of men who were originally trained in one of the skilled trades describe themselves as labourers, possibly because during the past four or five years circumstances have compelled them to do unskilled labour either 011 relief schemes or with private employers. Thus while there is a shortage of men in a particular trade there may be men who are really available for tho positions offering, but unknown to the placement officer. A Case Quoted A case of this nature is reported from Wellington, where the placement officer was about to send a man to the country to do labouring work. However, further questioning elicited the information that the man had been a coachbuilder. The placement officer immediately communicated with a large firm of body-builders and on mentioning the man's name and qualifications was told that the firm had been looking for this man for the past six months and undertook to place him in permanent employment at once. Under the new arrangement made by Mr. Pidler all unemployed men are to be invited to report to the placement office and supply particulars of their capabilities. It is estimated that there are about 6000 men to be interviewed under this arrangement and it will be impossible to deal with them all immediately. Already a very large number of labourers has been dealt with, and it is now desired that tradesmen should call first in order that an approximate idea of the supply of skilled men may be obtained. Link With Employers It is proposed to transfer the staff to the Labour Bureau within the nextfew days. Tho placement officer, however, will still occupy his office at the Labour Department in High Street and from the classified lists of experienced men supplied by his staff he will be in a position to act as .1 link between the workers and prospective employers. While the placement officer will make every effort to get in touch with employers requiring extra staff, it ts pointed out that the office will be in a position to supply practically all their labour requirements without any expense or inconvenience and that those who have not been approached would do well to communicate with him and make their needs known. An assurance is given that every possible care will be taken to ensure that the men recommended will give good service.