FOOTWEAR TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24011, 8 July 1941, Page 8

FOOTWEAR TRADE

TKAINING SCHOOL

FIRST PUPILS ENTER

OFFICIAL OPENING LATER

The footwear trade school in Auckland received its first pupils yesterday, When ten trainees commenced their course. The official opening ceremony Will he held on Monday afternoon, and the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, will be present. A further 30 pupils will commence that day. The first of its kind in New Zealand, the school is regarded as an important experiment. It is expected that each CQ>irso will occupy approximately four months. Spacious accommodation is provided in a modern, airy and welllighted building in Kden Terrace. Machinery covering a wide range of operations has been installed, and it will bo possible in time to supply a fairly steady stream of pperatives for all branches of the footwear industry. The school will be inspected to-morrow by the Dominion organiser of emergency training, Mr. A. W. Nisbet. The present pupils are adult males, but females also will bo taught in the near future. The footwear industry is severely handicapped by an acute shortage of trained operatives, and it is confidently expected that the adult training school will render a valuable service when fully established.

CARPENTERS AND JOINERS EFFORT TO RELIEVE SHORTAGE In an effort to relieve tho shortage of skilled labour in the building industry, further steps aro being taken to establish a training school for carpenters and joiners in Auckland. However, private builders do not agree with the scheme as outlined by the Government and aro engaged in formulating what they consider a more practical plan. It is felt in the trade that, while footwear operatives and engineers might receive sufficient training in a short course of four months, it is ridiculous to assume that skilled carpenters and Joiners can bo produced in that time, iuilders consider that from three to four years would be required for the purpose. If the scheme is to do any real good, they contend it is essential to train men in all classes of the building industry. The shortage is of skilled workmen, for "bush" carpenters are still plentiful. The experience of builders has been that jobs can be prepared to the framing stage with no difficulty, but from there on the shortage of skilled labour is evident.

No definite scheme has yet been decided upon, and there are many difficulties to be overcome. However, it is hoped that a more practical plan can be evolved, with particular attention to the need for' rehabilitating returned soldiers.