VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21216, 23 December 1930, Page 14

VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE.

LABOUR OFFICER’S REPORT. At the last meeting of the Vocational ; Guidance Committee, Sir W. R. Currie, of the local branch of the Labour Department, furnished the following report upon the work being carried out by him in relation to the employment of boys:— “ When the Apprentices Act of 1923 became operative, apprenticeship committees were set up, on the application of persons interested, and registered to regulate the conditions of employment of apprentices in the particular industries concerned. These committees consist of an equal number of representatives of employers and workers all more or less expert in their particular trade or calling. Generally an officer of the .Labour Department is also a member, acting it an advisory capacity and also doing the secretarial work* Some 13 trades now have Orders governing the conditions of apprentices in this. district, these orders have been made by the Arbitration Court, by request of committees, leaving 12 trades in which apprentices are working under the old awards prior to 1923. While these committees being formed. I was deputed by the othccr-m-charge of the Labour Department in this district to call on the employers in the various trades coming under the apprenticeship orders, to explain the provisions of the Act, and, at the same time, smooth out any difficulties arising out of its enforcement. Certain opposition was at first experienced. However when the individual committees met in council with informal'debate, it was found that they all had the interests of the apprentices at heart, that the Act was a beneficial measure, and small difficulties were overcome by the excellent way in which the committees worked for a good eause. These committees keep in close touch with the Technical College, make suggestions in the trad classes, help in examinations, deal with refractory appreiiand generally supplement the work of the departmental Officers, In 1924-25 it 'vas found that many parents wqre coming department for advice, and also many boys from the primary ahd technical schools. I was Compelled to devote a certam portion of my time in giving advice and nndiDe tho bdy6 suitable employment 1 worked this in conjunction with factory! shops, and offices inspection. Every factory or shop visited was asked to state its needs to the department for boy Or sometimes girl labour, When an application for employment was made,, the applicant was instructed to bring to the office all school certificates On progress, personal characteristicß, and any other information “““W necessary in any individual ease, ihe School ahd college reports Were found to be valuable in forming an opinion of the boys capabilities. The Technical College class reports,on students are always PPf-Pj r inspection,, and this courtesy helped considerably m keeping everyone on the right track. Experience in actual trade and industrial matters also helped a lot m forming a true opinion in the final summing up.. When a lad is placed in a trade, the Case is followed Up by & progress report on his work and conduct, and it found suitable a contract of apprenticeship is entered into ahd accordingly registered. In the case of a boy not playing the game," he is reported to the registrar r«™£?t r^ ntl - ce !u or the Apprenticeship Committee m that particular trade, and is generally placed on probation. All these are attached to his personal file in f w!u? e ’i, Fa,l V r 6 to make good has, fortunately, been kept down to a very low percentage. A higher standard ig set in each succeeding year, and an apprentice is expected to conform. ks department also endeavours to place lads who, sometimes through circumstances over which they have no control, have to leave school before gaining a proficiency certificate. _ Many Of these Boys making good in certain jobs. In some instances they are helped into a good trade, and when eucb cases arise we approach the Technical College authorities to obtain permission for the lads to continue their broken studies by attending evening classes, where they are taken Step by step up to the requisite standard. Another \branch of the . department’s activities!m conjunction with the Immigration Department is the apprenticing of youths to farmers. Applicants for these positions (preferably of proficiency standard _ and not Over 18 years) may 13 din? office. The application is forwarded to Wellington, and the two departments concerned endeavour to place the youths m congenial farm employment, With a view to a proper apprenticeship. it can now be readily seen that the necessary machinery is at hand to deal With the work, but the question naturally arises. What can this committee do to further the interests of boys and girls leaving _ school, entering college, or seeking positions? (a) Many bright children °f' Poor parents could be helped through a higher education by, special scholarships to meet such cases of necessity on a more liberal scale than present scholarships Ptuyidd. (b) Also encourage employers of labour to state their needs in reference to apprentices to a central bureau. In conclusion, I have to point out that condition of trade and employment generally, in Hew Zealand are radically different from conditions obtaining in, say. Great Britain and the United States. Our secondary industries are oh a small scale Competed With those in the countries mentioned. A vocational guidance officer or committee in the great centres of industry Would have ample scope to function and put in most useful work. If a young worker did Hot show premise in one direction, it would be a comparatively easy task to start him off in a more congenial occupation. Not so in New Zealand, as I know from personal experience that it is a Very difficult ttattter to arrange a second apprenticeship for the youth who does not fit in. In choosing A trade or profession for a boy or girl in this country every possible factor must bo taken into consideration.