WORK FOR BOYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1925, Page 11

WORK FOR BOYS.

THE SKILLED TRADES. APPRENTICESHIP QU EST lON. In accordance with the provisions contained in the Apprentices Act, 1923, the Labour Department in New Plymouth has circularised all head teachers of schools, both primary and secondary, within a radius of ten miles, explaining the requirements of the Act and. forwarding copies of forms to be filled in giving information regarding each boy leaving the school. A form of application for employment stating the kind of employment desired i*a also attached for signature by the parent or guardian. Section 18 of the Apprentices Act reads as follows:

(1) The head teacher of any school shall, on being requested so to do by the registrar or the district registrar, forward, as soon as practicable after any child leaves school with the intention of entering into employment, a report to the parent or guardian of the child as to: (a) The standard of education of the child at the time of leaving school; (b) a statement of his attainments and of any subject or subjects in which he has shown aptitude; (c) any other matters that may be deemed relevant to the future employment and training of the child. (2) To enable the head teacher to prepare such a report it shall he his duty to carefully watch the progress of each child in the upper classes of his school, and to take notice of his character, aptitude and attainments. (3) A copy of.every such report shall be forwarded at the same time to the district registrar, who - shall, on the application of the child or of the parent or guardian, give such advice and assistance as may be in his power to enable the child or the parent or guardian to decide on the most suitable employment.

(4) The district registrar shall keep a register of young persons desiring to enter into apprenticeships and of vacancies for apprentices and the information contained therein shall be available free of charge to employers and to the young persons concerned and to their parents or guardians. Information as to probable vacancies in the various manufacturing trades is being obtained from factory owners and others, when the department will be enabled to furnish the best advice as to suitable openings for boys in these trades. If sufficient number of applications is received for employment in clerical and other occupations similar information will be collected from the employers concerned. Arrangements are also being made to publish in the Education Gazette information for the guidance of boys as to the various industries in which apprentices are employed. This will show the wages usually paid to boys (and men), the prospects of advancement, and other items of interest.

An. Apprenticeship Committee has been registered consisting of representatives from the Master Builders’ Association and the Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union, and steps are being taken to form committees in other skilled trades as provided under section 4 of the Act.