BOYS IN DEMAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 7

BOYS IN DEMAND

SHORTAGE IN COMMERCIAL WORLD VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE WORK ASSOCIATION’S EXPERIENCE That there has been a great shortage during the past 12 months of boys in Dunedin with a standard of education suited to meet the demands of the commercial world Is a statement made in the annual report of the Dunedin Vocational Guidance Association. During the past year, the report states, office boys at times were unprocurable, and a isufflcient supply of boys who had passed University Entrance examination was at no time available. Inquiries were made at all local and at several country schools, and the association’s experience was that, due in part to the attractiveness of the public service, few qualified boys remained for private employers in professions requiring this examination standard Particularly in pharmacy there persisted an unsatisfied demand. It was noticeable, too, that after passing the examination few continued into the specialised branches of their studies. This applied, in particular, to the engineering preliminary examination: and a civil engineer cadetship for a boy having this latter qualification has had to remain unfilled. The choice of work offering for boys with even a couple of years’ secondary ''schooling has stronglv tempted parents ■to limit, their children’s stay at these schools, and in this way the supplv of boys with a better schooling has been cut off. This is greatly to be regretted. In the association’s experience in the ‘immediate past few years, very lew Indeed stayed at school long enough to present a problem by reason of their 'BS6* Association’s Findings For boys who were not carrying too many years of previous working time, and lor those leaving school, no difficulty was experienced in finding employment except in cases where a boy insisted on a preferred occupation in which opportunities might occur seldom. Any note on the noys’ employment would be incomplete without reference to the conservatism of parents In the choice of occupations for their children, and of the far too many boys who announce their intention to be aviators, ground engineers, or mechanical engineers, and nothing else. In some cases this is a passing phase of adolescence, and ultimately many of them must realise that in Dunedin there are very limited prospects of employment in these spheres, ahd that there are other divisions of the metal industry offering excellent opportunities for boys of suitable abilities. Throughout the whole of the year there--has been a shortage of worthwhile boys for industrial plants. It would surprise the public to learn now many occupations still are regarded as unhealthy by different parents and young people. Evidently many people are not aware of the amenities and attractions of employment in many industries, nor of the great changes to ensiire the health of workers in what were at one time regarded as unhealthy trades. At the same time, other work which, offers more subtle dangers of displacement after a few years is in many cases light-heartedly entered upon with no regard for the future.. v The success being achieved by the senior placement service In its efforts to solve the difficult problem of unemployed. young men has lessend somewhat the chance of boys entering certain, of the building trades. '. . , Comparatively few boys went to fanning throughout the year. This, was due in- part to the wet; Summer, and in part To th& bad times'hOiri£‘experienced by many farmers who were unable to employ and train extra labour. Most of the fruit pickers, were drawn from the Senior Placement Service., and this outlet for surplus boys war not used by the association in as many cases as in other years. Several farm training jobs with excellent home conditions remained unfilled. The association is of the opinion that, the great primary industries do offer good prospects for the right type of boy. Plenty of Jobs For Girls During the past year there has been rio lack of employment for girls. Young girls, that is girls of 14 to 15 years, are less in demand,' In fact, many employers who have taken on young girls have done sO only because older girls have not been available. At the end of 1938, 65 girls from Dunedin and suburban schools who had completed Standard VI, went direct into work, in most cases to industry, while some went into retail work, mostly small, suburban shops. Twenty-seven girls left primary school before completing Standard VI; 23 of these girls were under 15 years of age. It is hoped, through visits to primary schools and closer contacts with these young “school-leavers" that an oven higher percentage of the girls will see ihe advantage of having at least a short period at one of the secondary schools. Already certain schools have been visited with this object in view, and parents are urged to co-operate with the association in these efforts. • There are on the association’s lists at present 44 girls enrolled lor employment. Of these, 22 girls are already in work, but have sought advice about change of employment because of lack of scope in their present positions. From this time of the year till December, there are girhs at the secondary schools who will be available for employment when suitable positions offer. Again, just as the primary school girls have been warned against going to employment before their schooling is completed, senior girls are advised against entering upon their future careers and employment until they have attained as high a degree of essential training as,is possible