TRADE TRAINING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 69, 20 August 1947, Page 6

TRADE TRAINING

INDIRECT BENEFIT . EFFECT ON EX-SERVICEMEN That even if an ex-serviceman did not complete his trade training course the fact that he had actually commenced or applied for a course had usually' a stabilising influence on his life was the contention of Mr S. W. Gaspar at the monthly meeting of the Rehabilitation Board. The Board was considering its activity report which showed that of 14,200 ex-servicemen approved for trade training with the Board’s assistance 2273 had either failed to complete or withdrawn their applications before commencing courses. A total of 13,927 ex-servicemen had undertaken trade training courses. Of these 8039, were under training, 3617 had 'completed courses, and another 271 were waiting to begin.

“We were aware right from the beginning that we would have to take risks which would not be present in a civilian scheme,” said Mr Gaspar. “We know however there has been a- stabilising influence even where an ex-serviceman has not completed his training. The instructors report that particularly in carpentry classes - neurosis cases have shown a big improvement. From that- aspect alone the scheme has been well worth while.” A number of men shown as having failed to complete courses at the Board’s building trade centres had subsequently transferred to subsidised training with private employers.

The number failing to complete courses at the Board’s building trade centres was 630 out of a total of 5024 approved for training.