TRAINING FOR UNEMPLOYED.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1925, Page 4

TRAINING FOR UNEMPLOYED.

BRITISH LABOUR MINISTRY’S I SCHEME. The British Ministry of Labour has arranged to give a six months’ course of training to young men registered as unemployed and who have difficulty in finding employment because they have had no opportunity of learning a skilled trade. There are to be four training centres two lion-residential centres in large towns and two residential centres in country districts. Men in uon-residential centres will he trained with a view to employment in Britain. There is also, however, to bo an overseas training course, to he given in co-operation with the Overseas Settlement Committee. The “Ministry of Labour Gazette,” in which the scheme is announced, explains that it will not he possible to train men for any specific- trade. A certain proportion will he given a general course as handymen, and it will he adapted to rural requirements. The overseas course is limited to single men, and after training they are”to work on the land in an Overseas Dominion.

QUALIFICATIONS

General applicants must be: Registered as unemployed. Between th,.. ages of 19 and 23, or if ex-Service-iiic-n not older than 29.

Unskilled; that is, men who have had no opportunity ot learning a skilled trade, and who have not received training at public expense, or financial assistance from the Civil Liabilities or King’s Funds. Trainees in a non-residential centre must reside within easy travelling distance of the centre.

Applicants for training for employment overseas must he: ITovisonally approved by a representative of the Dominion Authority. Single men between the ages of 19 and 29 (the upper age limit hc-ing raised by the period of war service up to 29).

Unskilled: Ready to sign an undertaking to remain throughout the course, anil as soon as possible thereafter proceed to the Dominion concerned, if finally approved for employment there.

GRANTS AND PAYMENTS. Mon undergoing instruction at lionresidential centres will receive:—

Any unemployment benefit to which thov are. for the time being, otherwise entitled.

A personal allowance at tlit- rate of 2s (id per week for any period while under approved training,; and A free midday meal on each day of attendance at the workshop. Residential trainees will be given free travelling facilities to and from the centre at the beginning and end of the course. They must reside at the centre, and hoard and lodging will be provided by the Ministry. Iho men training at residential eentres with a view to employment in Britain will continue to receive any unemployment benefit to which they are otherwise entitled, and each will he required to pay thirteen shillings per week towards the cost of hoard and lodging at the training centre.

The men in training for employment overseas will receive:—

Free hoard ami lodging in the hostel at the training centre.

A personal allowance at the rate of five shillings per week in respect of a period of approved training; and

Railwav fares to and from the centre at the beginning and the end of the course of training (unemployment lienefit will not I>o pnynblc during tho course of training for overseas employment).

OBJECT OF TRAINING

The object of the courses of training for employment in Britain is to teach the men the use of tools, to .iiTii.-nmi them t-i ordinary workshop discipline, and to improve their general employability.

Strict discipline will he maintained and the ins!iiielioiial course of any man may he terminated summarily for had time-keeping, unsatisfactory conduet, lack of diligence, or other