BUILDING TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23333, 27 October 1937, Page 7

BUILDING TRADE

TRAINEES AND APPRENTICES THE SCHEME AT AUCKLAND DIFFICULTIES POINTED OUT iPer United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 26. Applications for trainees in the building trade in Auckland have not yet been considered by the Apprenticeship Committee, the secretary of which (Mr J. G. Kennerley) reported that only nine had been receiv-d from three separate builders. Six came from one firm. Over 30 applications for adult apprenticeship have been made. 20 of these have been approved, about eight tentatively approved and only three or four deferred. One which was deferred came from a man aged 47. which is well beyond the age limit.

" These figures show that applications are being favourably considered," Mr Kennerley said, "and the committee is giving every chance to the youths who have missed their opportunity previously. The ordinary apprenticeship of youths is not proceeding normally, however, owing to the objection of builders as regards the paying of rates of wages which their representatives on the Committee previously agreed to." ' Speaking as secretary of the Auckland Carpenters and Joiners' Union, Mr Kennerley said that members of the union were not definitely opposed to the Government's proposals for trainees and apprentices in toto. They had agreed to cooperate with the Government as far as adult apprentices were concerned. The opposition to the trainee system was not so much in regard to journeymen as to the youths themselves. The scheme offered no general advantage to either side, Mr Kennerley said. Lack of Safeguards " The trainee system youth practically no safeguard," he added. "He could be put off work at a week's notice and could be used as cheap labour. In the meantime there is no guarantee that he will be properly taught his trade, nor is there any definite date at the end of which he would be eligible for full journeyman's, wages. Trainees and adult apprentices are supposed to serve the same period of three years before being classed as journeymen."