EMPLOYMENT SURVEY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 95, 5 July 1946, Page 2

EMPLOYMENT SURVEY

ROTORUA-BAY OF PLENTY

FINAL HALF-YEARLY FIGURES

Figures for the remaining groups of industries have now been finalised by the District Employment Office. These are shown as under:—

Local Authority Services including Borough and County, Councils, Town Boards, Power Boards, Harbour Boards and Hospital Boards: 429 males and' 437 females are employed, a total of 866. Of the males, 15 are under 21 years of age and of the females 165. Vacancies exist in the group for 21 males and 37 females.

Building and Construction including Land Development and construction of communications, highways etc. and the construction of and renovation of buildings and all allied trades: 1506 males and 27 females, a total of 1533. Apprentices, trainees and others under 21 years of age total 89 males. Of the main occupation involved, 376 are carpenters, 62 are plumbers, 64 are painters, 44 are electricians and a large group of 583 are labourers, most of whom are engaged on land development etc. Sawmilling: 37 units operate in the Rotorua-Bay of Plenty area and employ 1486 hands of whom 35 are females. 100 males and 17 females are under 21 years of age. Vacancies exist for 46 males and 3 females. Wholesale and Retail Trades (i.e. shops, merchants, department stores etc.) 236 units employ 722 males and 472 females, a total of 1194. 135 males and 173 females are under 21. Vacancies exist for 20 males and 24 females.

Total Figures: The survey now completed covers all employment avenues with the exception of farming and agricultural pursuits and all seasonal industry. The total number of units surveyed is 817.

7470 males and 2671 females are employed giving a total of 10,141 (“one-man businesses” are excluded). Males under 21 total 879 and females 812.

Question of Labour

The District Employment Officer, Mr J. McGlone, pointed out that pnce the Dominion totals were completed it would be possible to let industries (and individual employers where desired) know how they compared with the average by working out vacancies as a percentage of labour strength. A clear indication would be available as to where industries and employers were losing ground in competing for available labour and with the possession of this knowledge plans for special measures to meet £he position might be made. The information available as a result of the survey should, he continued, be of special interest to parents, teachers and school leavers when career prospects were being considered.

With seasonal industries (dairy and sheep farming, freezing works, etc.) of such paramount importance in the Dominion, month by month data would be obtained in respect of them. This would be matched against corresponding data from other industries and thereby the reaction of seasonal work on other employment could be accurately measured and steps taken to minimise unbalances. At all times, Mr McGlone concluded, the National Employment Service was willing to assist employers in investigating reasons for failure to compete for available labour and in taking measures to mee the position, and generally to be of assistance to employer and employee alike.