IN QUEST OF WORK

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3750, 1 May 1936, Page 7

IN QUEST OF WORK

DEPARTMENTAL PLAN. TO PROVIDE PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT. The Labour Department is at present organising a vocational analysis, not only of registered relief workers, but also of those who are disengaged, and who, though not desirous of seeking relief benefits, wish to be assisted in their endeavours to obtain private employment. In the meantime the plan will operate only in Whangarti, Auckland, Gisborne, Napier, Hamilton, Masterton, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Invercargill and Wanganui. All men coming within the plan will be personally interviewed by a specially selected placement officer, with a view to ascertaining their general suitability for a definite occupation. In order to avoid misunderstanding or disappointment to employer and applicant alike, it is necessary that the placement officer should obtain a full record of each applicant's past experience, competency, integrity, etc., and from this record selections will be made immediately upon notification of a vacancy. (Incidentally the record will serve as a basis for statistical purposes.) To this end the applicant will be invited to furnish such information regarding his educational and techni cal attainments, previous employers, period during and capacity in which employed, nature of main occupations while on relief or when casually employed, whether he possesses tools of trade, whether he is willing to accept distant work, and any additional information which he considers would more quickly commend him to an employer. Information regarding his income, property, etc., will not be sought—the sole aim of the placement officer will be to secure the benefits represented by permanent restoration to Industrial activity. It is considered that such interviews will serve another very useful purpose, inasmuch as there are many cases in which, for instance, a competent carpenter who, displaced from his normal occupation, was compelled to engage in and acquired a certain degree bt skill as a motor lorry driver, which class of work proved more congenial than the original occupation. It would perhaps be somewhat natural for such a man to describe himself as a lorry driver, whereas the placement officer would endeavour to show him that his interests would best be carved by regaining his skill and seeking employment as a carpenter, even if only because the opportunities for and pay of skilled carpenters are greater. The average man is apt to be somewhat casual when requested to describe his occupation, and care is necessary to ensure that the accepted description actually represents the position for which he is qualified. As an example, it may be mentioned that the designation "driver" may mean driver of a motor car, motor lorry, omnibus, horse, locomotive, tram, sationary engine, etc., while it has leen humorously suggested that it may include “nigger driver.” One novel feature of the proposed plan is that when testimonials and other statements submitted by the applicant have been verified satisfactorily. the department will issue an “employment certificate,” Indicating that as far as wide inquiries show, the applicant has acquired that degree of competency and character which fits him' for employment in the occupation specified. It is expected that, after a little experience, employers will regard ‘bis certificate as a standard of “employment suitability,” and that it will render further inquiries unnecessary, thus avoiding loss of time, inconvenience and expense in obtaining corroborative Information. It is, of course, also possible that as confidence in these certificates oecomes established, employers will afford precedence of consideration to holders thereof, and as a consequential corollary that all disengaged wage earners will register at the bureaux for employment. This position the Department will be fully prepared to meet, and afford every facility to secure the absorption of all unemployed whether registered for relief or not. “Employment certificates” will be issued without alterations ot any kind, and thus any amendment thereon should be regarded with suspicion. The co-operation of employers is, of course, essential in connection with a plan such as that proposed, and every effort will be exerted to secure the goodwill, confidence and co-operation ot all employers, who to this end will in due course be approached by the placement officers and kept in periodic touch with the bureaux’ labour supply. Due respect will naturally be paid to the value of an employer's time. Where vacancies are advertised over a nom-de-plume or number, the bureau will submit a written request for an opportunity of detailing suitable candidates. Mobility of labour is an important feature in any employment plan, and therefore whenever a placement officer becomes aware of an opening for a type of worker not listed in his records, he will immediately communicate with neighbouring bureaux in an effort to meet the call. It should be mentioned that the pian herein described is only now being Inaugurated, and it will be some little time before it is in full operation—in the meantime, however, inquiries tor labour will be warmly welcomed. Those male persons who desire to obtain employment, though not desirous of applying for relief benefits, should call at the local labour bureau. They will then be put in touch with the placement officer, who will give to their problem the same careful consideration that is given in the case of registered relief workers.