POSSIBLE JOBS FOR SERVICEMEN

Korero (AEWS), Volume 2, Issue 24, 29 January 1945, Page 21

POSSIBLE JOBS FOR SERVICEMEN

WATCHMAKING The normal period of apprenticeship for watchmaking is six years, but a shorter adult apprenticeship is to be introduced to meet the needs of returned servicemen, who will have their -wages subsidized during their period of training. The prospects in the trade are good, as there will be a shortage of skilled men for many years. This acute shortage of men is due not only to the war, but also to the fact that very few apprentices have been trained during the last decade. A man with aptitude for this class of work, therefore, seems assured of a living. Besides being interesting, the trade is well suited to disabled men, providing their eyesight is good. The New Zealand Horological Institute wishes to help the Government to train such men. For further information communicate with Mr. T. Drake, President of the Wellington Branch of the Horological Institute, whose address is Levy Building, Manners Street, Wellington. Watch-repairers to-day, are receiving £l to £s> per week.

WICKER-WORK This work calls for manual dexterity, with the result that, on the average, a man who has been trained from youth is more efficient than one who has learned his trade later in life. While the making of baskets takes only a few months to learn, the art of making more complicated articles, such as prams, requires a much longer period of training. The normal term of apprenticeship is five years. Provided materials are available, there seems to be a reasonably good chance of employment in this occupation after the war. At present New Zealand is cut off from some regular sources of supply of raw materials— e.g., the Dutch East Indies. STONEMASONS In New Zealand the work of skilled stonemasons seems to be on the wane owing to the development of coloured concrete and terrazzo. Many of the tradesmen appear to be engaged on monumental masonry, and turn their hands to other types of stonemasonry

when the opportunity offers with large contracting firms. Terrazzo Work At present this type of work is much in demand, and it would seem likely that after the war, when housing schemes develop further, even greater supplies will be required. Various jobs in connection with its manufacture are available — kiln - work, polishing, &c.—for which the pay is in the vicinity of 3s. to 3s. 6d. an hour. Monumental Masonry This is becoming mostly work in concrete, but a certain amount of work in stone is still done. Letter-cutting, tablet-work, and the making of concrete walls both plain and ornamental may be said to be the monumental mason’s chief type of employment, for which the minimum wage is about 3s. 2d. an hour.

Normally there is an apprenticeship of five years. BOAT-BUILDING There is at present no apprenticeship or examination to enter this trade, which is carried on chiefly in Auckland. Usually a man is attached to a boatbuilding firm, and if he is keen can gain sufficient knowledge in six to twelve months. Some previous experience in carpentry is an advantage, but is not essential. It is expected that, after the war, many men now employed on boatbuilding will be transferring to carpentry, thus leaving room for a number of learners in the former trade. Wages vary, although on the average they seem reasonably good ; the award rate for a journeyman is 2S. io|d. an hour, plus cost-of-living bonus, while leading hands receive an additional 6d. an hour.