TRADE TRAINING

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 20, 19 October 1942, Page 4

TRADE TRAINING

Rehabilitation Board’s Scheme Ranging up to £6 a week in the; last half of the third year of training, a libeial scale of pay for ex-seryicenien has been recommended tentatively by thtrade training committee of the Rehabilitation Board for ex-servicemen to be selected for industrial training. A summary of the committee’s recommendations lias been released for publication by the chairman of the Rehabilitation Board, Mr. M. Moohan. . . Training will be given in a fuli-iimc course of intensive instruction in a Government training centre or trade school, or at technical colleges—by arrangements with the Education Department and school authorities with or without a subsequent period as an improver; also in private employ or in Government workshops) where the number of candidates does not warranthe formation of a special class or where other reasons make such a step desirable. Eligibility for training shall be restricted to discharged servicemen who have not previously engaged as a tradesman or completed training in any skilled trade; or whose ability to continue in his pre-service skilled trade has contracted because of disability as at the date of discharge from armed service; and such other cases as in the opinion of the Rehabilitation Board are considered to warrant special training assistance. Selection is to be under a method to be defined and controlled by the board in'conjunction with district rehabilitation committees. Period In Industry.

Factors which the committee suggests should be considered in connexion with selection are health and physique, edu-. cational background, and apparent bona fide interest in practical and theoretical training and stability. It is proposed that reasonable and actual expenses shall be paid by the Government to candidates re; porting for selection or commencement of training with similar expenses for the return journey in the event of rejection.

The Government will advance the cost of necessary tools of trade, repayable by instalments mutually agreed upon. Candidates will be required to agree to remain' for a minimum of three years in the industry in which training has been given. Trainees will be divided roughly into three categories for training and pay : Class A trainees will be given 'a maximum of 12 months’ training in a Government training centre, such as the carpentry training centres already established, or at a technical college followed by a period (maximum two years) of improvership. Class B trainees will be given the whole of their training under an adult apprenticeship with private employers on a subsidized basis, and during the first two years of training employers will allow time off to attend trade classes to the extent of not less than two half or one whole working day weekly. Scales of pay and subsidy are based ou : (1) A tradesman’s rate of £5/10/-; (2) a cost-of-living bonus equivalent to 10/a week; (3) subsidies (where no previous training has been given in a training centre or technical school) ranging from 50 per cent, of the total wages during the first period to 10 per cent, in the fifth period, plus an additional subsidy of 10/- a week during the period in which trainees attend technical college classes during working hours. A detailed schedule of rates of pay and subsidies for 'the different period of training is tentatively recommended, the maximum being £6 a week. Suitability of Trainees.

A supervising committee will be set up in each training centre, consisting of one representative of the workers’ union in the trade concerned, one representative of the employers and one representative of a Government department, preferably the Labour Department.. The functions of the supervising committees will be to determine the suitability of trainees for continued training, with the right of appeal iu cases where trainees al'e deemed unsuitable; to determine before commencement of training the rate of wage and subsidy having regard to previous experience, and to supervise and ensure that the trainee is receiving adequate tuition from his employer and that theoretical training at the local technical college is in line with current trade practice. It is recommended that the employer shall pay weekly wages indicated and account for tax in the usual manner, accept accident liability iu terms of Workers’ Compensation Act, afford necessary tuition atnl provide usual facilities to the worker during training period ; .allow supervising committee access for interview, etc.; and observe any applicable provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1923, and amendments. Each candidate before acceptance is to agree (as at present) to refund the cost of training if he fails to complete and remain in the industry for three years. In practice, however, infliction or waiver of refund (or part ot it) will be determined according to the circumstances of each case. i