BETTER MECHANICS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 13, 11 October 1943, Page 6

BETTER MECHANICS

Plan Of Motor Industry

The. improvement of motor mechanics’ training was discussed in a report presented tb the annual meeting of the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation by its technical training committee (Messrs. 11. Anderson, J. Broun, M. “Wall, L. C. Arnott, C. R. Edmond, and J. Stewart, M.1.A.E.). The committee expressed the opinion that the skilled specialist, able to work with his brain as well as his hands, was the only man who could secure' from the highly refined modern automobile that safety and efficient performance for which it was designed. In its opinion the industry had been too apathetic to the training of motor mechanics. It was time something was done in respect to the conditions of employment of apprentices, terms of contract, and the system of training in technical colleges and garage workshops. The problem 1 was not a governmental one. It was one for the industry to solve, and should be tackled without delay. The broad points of the committee’s plan were:—A certification board to have the responsibility of evolving and adminislering the plan; the provision of an incentive for apprentices and a standard of qualification for motor mechanics which would be. jointly recognized by the Education Department and the trade; a modern syllabus of examination subjects which must be used in order to secure the A grade certificate, with progressive annual examinations incident to the certification of apprentices; a modern and universal curriculum to be ' inaugurated (with the help of the Director of Education), in the technical colleges to meet the progressive needs of the A grade certificate with films and adequate modern equipment and working components in training centres; a plan with the technical colleges, the trade and the Institution of Automotive Engineers and other educational institutions for the holding of the examinations previously mrtitioned ; the N.Z. • Motor Trade Federation, through the certification board, to conduct A grade examinations and issue certificates; the drawing up of qualifications necessary before apprentices were indentured. In respect of the last-named point the committee stated that only by eliminating the entry of untouchable and/or unsuitable boys into the industry, and by refusing to allow a badly equipped or badlv run work-shop to use apprentice, could the industry hope to build a stable future. , The delegates warmly approved tne plan, and recommended the incoming committee to do all in its power to make the recommendations effective and empowered it to make the necessary financn. arrangements involved.