University Courses For Some Post Office Cadets

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 10

University Courses For Some Post Office Cadets

Nine young men from North Canterbury schools entered the Post Office this year under a new cadet scheme, by which they take university classes while in training for administrative positions. Six of them are at present stationed in Wellington and three in Christchurch. Similar cadetships have been available for some time in the Post Office engineers' branch and in other Government services, but this is the first time such a scheme has operated in the Post Ofiice’s administrative branches.

. “When the public think of the Post Office they think in terms of letters, stamps, telegrams and toll calls—the ‘front line’ where essential manipulative and traffic jobs are done. They dp not usually think of the huge administrative organisation behind the staff of nearly 24,000 employees,” the chief postmaster (Mr C. J. C. said yesterday. “There are the people who work behind the scenes dealing with staff management, accounting stores and property. “With the increasing complexity and range of Post Office functions it has become apparent that to provide good calibre officers who are to man the senior administrative posts of the future. Post Office staffs must include many who are capable of undertaking a university degree course. The Post Office therefore entered the university field this year with an initial group of boys with University Entrance.

“The recruits attended a two weeks’ introductory course at the General Post Office, Wellington, before beginning a two-year induction course to gain an insight into all phases of Post Office organisation, functions and operations. “The introductory course comprised talks by divisional directors, discussions, films, and visits to various installations. By the end of the course, the lads had decided on a tentative career line. A special individual two-year Post Office training programme was drafted for each boy to fit him best for the career he hoped to take up. “AU members of the group

were interviewed by a divisional director to discuss their proposed course of university study. All intend to complete a degree in either arts or commerce.

"Specially selected boys already in the Post Office who have passed either School Certificate or University Entrance are being given the opportunity to join similar courses, which will be continued throughout the year. Every assistance will be given them to complete university degrees.”