STAFF TRAINING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 8

STAFF TRAINING

A Bl SINESS NEED. In an editorial article oi ‘Siaff Training” lhe New Zealand Accountants' Journal remarks that "a weakness in the Dominion's educ/Ciunjl system is that right throughout i.r.e Dominioin there is too short a period of full time attendances at o.ir h gh schools and technical and other colleges.” "Experience has shown that those pupils who have the privilege of a longer period at college show a greater stability of character, .1 ••i der social outlook, a more temperate judgment arising from maturity of thought, and with these a well grci.nded vocational aptitude and dexterity ” the writer ontinues. "There is also need of rccog'iJ.ion by commercial and induslf'al leaders that the longer period of training nas an efficiency value that should be rewarded. Because of the competition for boys and girls tea'tied as stenographers or office juiiiois employers have been compelled to pay a premium for this labour above that given to the untrained worker. Industrial groups should also recognise the worth of technical training and appreciale in a practical manner that a measure of tool control and of specialised industrial knowledge is worth more to them than the completely untrained youth. "There is a crying need for competent business executives, for more efficient sales staff, for skilled craftsmen and for industrial and technical workers. Employers complain, and rightly so, that there is too much apathy and indifference on the part of a large percentage of employees. There are far too many who arc more concerned with the clock and with their pay envelope at the end of the week than they are with their careers. Bui is it mot a fact that part of the trouble is due to the employers themselves who do not take sufficient in--1 erest in the training and welfare o the rank and file? Progrtssive firm: have realised the advantages of stafi training, but the policy of educating and encouraging those who are capable of occupying more responsible posts must be pursued more ener getically if this young country is tn fulfil the destiny which lies within her power. “The accountancy profession has done a great deal to encourage students to better qualify themselves for our special work. Leading members not only of our profession but. of the legal profession have ungrudgingly given of their knowledge and time by means of lectures, addresses amd papers, to assist the younger folk, but it is imperative that this policy should be maintained. Bygrants to the student societies and in lhe provision of suitable text books in our libraries, the New Zealand Society of Accountants has done valuable work, but w ewould make another suggestion, and that is to follow the lead of the Incorporated Society of Accountants im England by arranging for a panel of lecturers upon whose services the student groups may draw for expert assistance. This will enable instruction of a more systematic character to be afforded to students throughout the country.”