BACK TO TRADES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 84, 24 September 1947, Page 7

BACK TO TRADES

EX-SERVICEMEN APPRENTICES One of the most pleasing features of the trade and occupational schemes connected with Rehabilitation was the provision made for the resumption of pre-war apprenticeships, said Mr S. W. Gaspar at the quarterly meeting of the Rehabilitation Council held in Wellington. He considered that had it not been for the scheme not 25 per cent, of the almost 4000 apprentices assisted would have returned to their trades, particularly since a large proportion were married men. As it was they were now continuing their occupations without suffering monetary loss as a result of their service. Practically every trade was now covered by the Board’s subsidised training scheme and trainees were taking full advantage of all facilities offering including educational assistance. Fie felt that the intermediate scheme for certain types of temporary disabled men could now be taken over by the Disabled Servicemen’s Re-establishment League acting as agent of the Rehabilitation Board.

Mr Gaspar referred to the work being done by rehabilitation committees and farm and trade-training sub-committees throughout the Dominion. The voluntary work done by the members of these committees was much appreciated. Reverting to trade training he said that trainees at the Board’s centres had taken over a number of renovation contracts for the State Advances Corporation with very gratifying results. One result had been a reduction in the price charged for painting work. Referring to Rehabilitation allowances he said it was pleasing to note that payment of these had been reduced to such an extent.