WORK OFFERING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22583, 23 November 1936, Page 11

WORK OFFERING

VACANCIES IN SHOPS TRAINED GIRLS IN DEMAND PROBLEM FOR RETAILERS [Br TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH, Saturday Retail storekeepers at New Plymouth are facing the most difficult cmplovI inent situation for years. The greatest difficulty is being experienced in finding girls of the right type and training. The problem has been caused by the same factors that were responsible for the shortago in building trade apprentices. During the depression, girls who left for various causes were not replaced, and to-day the retail trade, and particularly the soft goods trade, is searching for trained employees to fill junior positions. "1 have had several positions begging for three months, simply through the lack of experienced girls," said a draper. "There are numbers with general training in several trades, but very few who have concentrated on the softgoods section. Two years ago wc would have been inundated with applicants, but to-day practically every retailer in the town is on the look-out for suitable girls." An unusually large percentage of New Plymouth retail staffs is now composed of untrained juniors. Firms arc putting their hope in the possibility that the staffs will know sufficient of their trade to carry them over the Christinas rush, which promises to be the busiest period for years. Another problem being viewed gravely by business men is the effect of the basic wage on the drapery trade. Firms arc already refusing to take girls of about 20 and 21 years of age who, without having had any previous training, would have to be employed at <'Ws Cd a week with the inception of the basic rate.

The position, it is stated, will probably be eased after Christmas, when girls will be freed from schools. A shortage of boys of 15 to 17 years is also one of the serious difficulties confronting the stores.