APPRENTICESHIP PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1932, Page 7

APPRENTICESHIP PROBLEM

LEGACY OF ECONOMIC STRESS

ROYS ONLY PARTIALLY TRAINED.

MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DRIFT.

COMMITTEE STRESSES GRAVITY. Dealing with the possibility of providing employment for boys in towns the committee consisting of Messrs. S. G. Smith and A. E. .Ansell, M’s.P., recently set up to go into the matter sets out at length in its report the law covering apprenticeship and the history of its administration. Employers, they say, under the severe economic conditions, have found the apprenticeship system an increasing difficulty which has led to a great diminution in the numbers employed. “An especially. distressing feature of the problem,” states the committee, “is the large number of apprentices who have uncompleted periods of apprenticeship contracts and who are now unemployed for the reasons either, that there is no work or training in the ships or factories where they were employed, or their employers, either individuals . or firms, have gone out of business on account of the general trade depression. Under existing conditions it is difficult to find another firm who can take over such an apprentice, and unless some scheme is evolved these unfortunate youths will never be able to complete their apprenticeship and thus become tradesmen or skilled artisans. Through no fault of their own, they will be relegated to the ranks, of unskilled workers, though they possess the ability, concentration and skill, if given the right opportunity, to make their mark among the skilled artisans of this country.” It is pointed out that unless a remedy is found, a most serious condition will arise when trade. becomes normal and the demand for skilled men increases, because skilled men will then have to be imported and our own boys will become the unskilled workers. “The normal solution is work,” states the report, “but if there is none available a substitute must be found. Technical training can provide the stepping-stone to regular employment when industry revives. The country may not at present be able to employ these boys, but can still less afford to let them drift. The natural sequence to unemployment is deterioration, physical, moral and mental.

VALUE OF TECHNICAL TRAINING.

“It is therefore of the utmost - importance that local organisations shall make such arrangements with technical school authorities in the various centres as will assist in overcoming this difficulty by providing facilities for vocational training. Abundant evidence has been produced which shows that technical. training in New Zealand is of a very high order. The technical training that will be provided will be of such a nature as will serve the useful purpose of preparation for the industrial sphere that may be entered into at a later date, and although this training will not actually equip the students with the skill that can only be asquired by practical work it will develop habits of industry and sustain or restore personal, .physical and mental qualities. “As the training provided in our technical schools has proved, to be efficient, we have no hesitation in recommending that, provided a pupil shows a satisfactory degree. of proficiency, the time spent at such schools 'or continuation classes shall be deemed to be a portion of his apprenticeship. period, e.g., two years training shall count as one year of prenticeship.”The committee also stresses the importance of physical, social and intellect, tual activities, and urges on local' organisations the desirability of including in their programme of activities for unemployed boys a course of physical training. The co-operation of athletic, football, cricket clubs, etc., also is particularly desirable. The combination. of these facilities with vocational training will, it is pointed out, improve the chances and fitness for future employment and secure the attainment of a high standard of citizenship. CONTINUATION CLASSES. “Delay in finding regular work,” states the report, “will probably undo the good which years of school work have accomplished and provision should be made for continuation of training. In accordance with the evidence presented, the bare minimum for efficient work is ten hours per* week. The facilities for this training vary in different districts, and despite the voluntary service offered by technical school teachers, the State must be expected to contribute towards the expenses involved in the organisation necessary.” The committee has carefully examined the method in England under which the Ministry of Labour, the Board of Education and local education authorities combine to meet the cost of continuation classes, the financial burden being gradually transferred to the Ministry of Labour vote for relief of unemployment. , “In New Zealand,” states the report, “it will be for the Government to determine from which vote the necessary assistance should be forthcoming.” The training provided in continuation classes is not only desirable but necessary. It will need a good deal of organisation to successfully' carry out, but any efforts made will amply repay for the work and expense ifivolved. This leads the committee to discuss the problem of toe boy who has become indifferent to his own welfare. Upon whom will the responsibility rest for acceptance or refusal of these educational facilities. The committee is emphatic that it must not be left with the boy. “The community, it states, “has a responsibility and efforts should be made to_ renew m those boys toe hopes and embitions natural to boyhood. In this sphere of the church organisations, Y.M.C.A., and kindred bodies can give valuable assistance. That parents also have a duty to their boys! is obvious but in some cases influence from without the home may be more effective. Cases will' exist where such influence can. be complementary rather than merely substitutional. - Attention is directed to a remedy suggested by Dr. C. E. Beeby, of Canterbury College, toe “twin probationer scheme” under which legislation would need to be passed making it impossible to employ any boy or girl below the age of 16 for more than half-time and making it compulsory for every child below that age to attend school or other classes for at least half-time. Employers wishing to engage a boy below 16 would require, to engage a pair; each boy alternating say two weeks at. work and two weeks at school and being paid only for his working periods. A full explanation of this scheme is attached to the main report.