THE RAILWAY SERVICE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7900, 10 September 1929, Page 2

THE RAILWAY SERVICE

AMENDED APPRENTICESHIP, CONDITIONS STATEMENT BY MINISTER D • Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, this day. The Minister of Railways ,Hon. W. B. Taverner, has, announced after careful consideration that the regulations in connection with the service conditions of apprentices, amending those made under the Rairways Act, 1908, have been prepared’ and will be gazetted shortly. He said that at present the mechanical engineering branch has two distinct systems of training, namely the cadet system and the apprenticeship system. Neither of these two systems was considered quite satisfactory. The former did not embrace trade training while the latter does not provide for anything but trade training. The system which will be brought into operation by these regulations will improve the present position by embracing both aspects. Under the new regulations apprentices will be given theoretical instructions in addition to being taught their trades. The idea is to enable those anxious to advance to become engineers with the practical side of their education fully developed. The new regulations provide for training classes, examinations and Hie award of scholarships, and these will have a stimulating effect on the whole apprenticeship question. At the same time they will provide a greater incentive for more diligent study and work on the part of the lads concerned. It will be necessary for a certain standard of efficiency and conduct to be reached before an apprentice can be considered for permanent appointment as a tradesman in the service. Apprentices were previously admittd on a Standard V school certificate, but a Standard VI pass will now be required. Applicants possessing higher educational qualifications may be given preference in the matter of appointment.