More Apprentices, But Still Not Enough

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30956, 12 January 1966, Page 5

More Apprentices, But Still Not Enough

Recent sharp rises in the number of youths taking up apprenticeships are still not sufficient to meet the needs of industry, according to the “Labour and Employment Gazette,” published by the Department of Labour. “Although the number of apprentices has risen at a far higher rate than the labour force over the last decade (and especially over the last two years) and although the proportion of schoolleavers going into apprenticeship is among the world’s highest, there are still many vacancies in industry for suitable youths who are willing to follow a trade,” says the journal. “Between March 31, 1965, and March 31, 1965, the number of apprenticeship contracts in force in New Zealand rose from 15,216 to 23,684 (excluding those in Government departments), an increase of 8468, or 56 per cent. This was a much higher rate of growth than for the labour force as a whole, which over the same period grew by 171 P®r cent. —itself a comparatively high rate by world standards. Highest Since 1946

“In the latest year ending March, 1965, the increase of 1563 in the number of apprenticeship contracts in force was the highest recorded since 1946-47 when a large number of servicemen were demobilised and resumed their apprenticeships. The total of 6870 new contracts entered into during the year ended March, 1965, was 11.1 per cent, higher than for the previous year, itself a year of substantial increase, and it is estimated that of every 1000 male school-leavers 291 entered into apprenticeship contracts, or 310 inclusive of Government contracts.

“Yet, in spite of these rapid increases—and even though the intake of approximately 30 per cent of school-leavers into apprenticeships is among the world’s highest, especially when one considers the high proportion of youths in New Zealand who begin training for professional, clerical, or other skilled work —employers were still not satisfied with the numbers who were coming forward and would have been able to take on more apprentices if greater numbers of suitable youths had been willing to follow a trade.

“It is unlikely that the general shortage of apprentices and skilled tradesmen will be much alleviated in the near future. Over the last 10 years the number of male school-leavers each year has risen from about 14,200 to 23,600, an increase of 9400, or 67 per cent. Over the next 10 years, however, the increase is expected to be only about 5000, or 20 per cent—and there will be increasing pressure on these persons to enter the professions or other skilled occupations. Long-term Prospects “But in the long run, however, many of the shortages of skilled workers may be overcome. A trend towards larger-scale businesses is likely to encourage more economical and efficient use of tradesmen. Moreover, greater use of laboursaving machinery for less skilled work may well lead to apprenticeships becoming more attractive to schoolleavers.

“There is no easy short-term answer to the problem, however, and unless there are some radical developments in the near future (such as new types of training schemes) the shortage of skilled workers is likely to be with us for some time.”