TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12905, 17 February 1906, Page 7

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

PROGRESS IN WELLINGTONT""*

EMPLOYERS TAKE A HAND.

At the monthly meeting of the Wellington Industrial Association (employers), a sub-committee appointed to consider a motion with regard to the determination of the best means of securing for industrial apprentices a course of technical training in conjunction with their daily work, that would enable- them to become efficient tradesmen, tabled their report;. It was stated that having held .two, meetings, and carefully considered the'matter,: the "following, suggestions w/ere offered:—'!.' A course of work for each year"ofc apprentices. 2. Such course to.be drawn up by the technical director and special instructor-in engineering. Their draft to be submitted to this committee as a whole, the two officers mentioned to be present at sucb meeting. After approval one worker from each shop to meet the. committee. 3. That it be a suggestion to the authorities draw- i mg up the programme of work, that the progress of the apprentice for. the first j four years should be judged upon the?re-; port of his instructor and the foreman of the shop. The question of examination at the termination of his apprenticeship to be a matter for their consideration. 4. In order to give effect to these proposals, that it be a suggestion to- the Wellington Provincial Industrial Associa- , tion that a visit of a committee be paid to the Technical School every month." The report continued: "It will be noted that engineering has been specially, mentioned in clause 2. Your sub-committee. : however, does not wish the members/of the jiGteeral Committee to think that in their i opinion engineering only should be studied. I This branch of colonial industry is suggested at first--on'account of its:importance. If these suggestions are adopted, and prove to be successful (as your -ccrhniittes- have no-doubt they will) then -other industries must be treated in a similar, way. ? Your | committee feels, sure that, visits of committee to the Technical School workshops every,mont.hf.wojild have an excellent effect upon the,foysl>:':lnimaiay cases they: would see their" employers, the ' and;/having proof thai, their, hoys, are talcing the^golden opportunity, to learn, to" improve and to "become"' credit to their- ; tbjjniselves and?to the colonv." - " ; '/ "•"" v r '* .C • -

Mr-0L sajd .tie maim Suggestion report xvasiiwith. regard to the visitiDg;?«ommi|tee..':'■ regarded; it as most JroportanPthat a committee from the Industrial Association should be appointed monthly to visit tlie-Technical-School and to report to the association, and he \ras quite sure' the "Technical School Board, ■would -welcome such visitations, for they ■would be in the nature of encouragement, not onlv to the boys ""but to'the teachers.

Others spoke in the .same, strain; the report -was adopted, visiting committee of five -was appointed."