VOCATIONAL AID

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 237, 4 July 1944, Page 6

VOCATIONAL AID

Association Formed In

Wellington

Widely representative of educational, industrial and social organizations, a meeting held recently decided to open a vocational guidance association in Wellington. A provisional committee of nine was elected to draw up the basis of a constitution.

Mr. E. N. Hogben, principal of Wellington College, presided. It was his view that vocational guidance could play a big part in the future of a young boy or girl, 'but it was essential that there should be tlie utmost co-operalion be-, tween all interested parties. The pupil and the community would suffer if an employer moved in one direction, a boy's parents iu another, and if the boy's school had other ideas. What was needed was team spirit. A vocational gttid- ! ancc association was one factor in a long process. There had been a great deal of misunderstanding ou the question of vocational guidance, and this could be overcome by the promotion of an association to extend its interests. The association it was proposed to form would be an entirely imlcpendeiit, non-Govcrnmeut, non-municipal and non-polifiea] body. Speakers included Dr. N. A. Foden (Wellington R.S.A.), Mrs. G. Rankin i Wellington Crippled Children Society), and Mr. G. C. Burton (District Vocational Guidance Officer. Wellington). Mr. Burton emphasized the value lo guidance officers of being able to work in close relationship with the community, and said he felt the association would assist materially in that respect. Great: changes had taken place in employment trends and would continue to do so. It was suggested that the branch should consist of three groups of persons, as follows:—(a) Vocational section —those concerned with employment proper, employers, employees. Government departments concerned with conditions of employment; (b) social section; (c) educational section.

In reply to a question, Mr. Burton said there was no relationship between tbe work of tlie association and the manpower office.

Following discussion iu which difficulties ill -linking up witli the New Zealand Vocational Guidance Association were outlined, it was decided to form a local association with the following provisional committee:—Dr. N. A. Foden (U.S.A.), Mrs. G. Rankin (Wellington Crippled Children Society), Messrs. C. N. Cathie and J. Ilatriek (Wellington Manufacturers’ Association L L. S. Hr-ai-nshaw (Department of Scientific ami Industrial Rcsean-h). G. C. Burton •(District Vocation,-tl Guidance Officer), E. A. Selman (National Service Department), J. G. Green (Hutt Valley Memorial Tcehnictil College), E. X’’. Hogben ((irincipal, IVeliiiicton College).