VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 4 June 1919, Page 3

VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS. Per Press WELLINGTON, June 3. The officers appointed to supervise the vocational training of invalid soldiers conferred recently in Wellington. Tlio Director of Vocational Training presided, and some important extensions of work among soldiers in hospitals and convalescent institutions were arranged.- Hospital workshops have been provided at Auckland, Rotorua, Nanier, Trentham. Christchurch, Hanmcr, Timarn, Dunedin, and Invercargill. The funds for this purpose and for the provision of equipment have been provided by the New Zealand Red Cross Society, which devotes itself to the welfare, of the sick and wounded Soldier. In these hospitals instructors have been appointed to teach trades suitable to the hospital patients, such as boot repairing, carpentry, cahinetmiaking, motor engineering, and business courses. There are 1302 patients at hospitals in New Zealand, and out-patiente number 1871. All the vocation officers reported that they were overworked. Assistant vocation officers have been appointed in Auckland and Christchurch, and similar appointments are to bo made in Wellington and Dunedin. This extension of the staff will enable the branch .to pay attention to tho needs of soldier out-patients. It is the wish of the Minister for Defence that these patients should he trained in the same way as those undergoing treatment as inpatients. The Director of Educational and Vocational Training said tho out-patients would receive, not only medical attention, but help in the task of preparing for their future ae useful civilians. All out-patients are to bo interviewed by vocation officers, who will advise them ns to the best training for civilian position, and encourage them to take advantage of the educational facilities provided by the Department. The relations of the educational and vocational training branch with the Repatriation Department which looks after the soldier upon discharge, were fully considered at the conference. A representative of the Director of Repatriation and the secretary of ...the Repatriation Board attended the sitting of the conference, and it was decided to co-ordinate the work so that men who had been trained while undergoing medical treatment may. continue their education after discharge under the direction of tho Repatriation Department. i