THE RAILWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1929, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS

NEW APPRENTICESHIP ' REGULATIONS.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. DUNEDIN, Sep. 9. The. Minister for Railways (the Hon. Mr Taverner) announced to-day that after careful consideration regulations in connection with the service conditions of apprentices amending those made under the Railways Act, 1908. had been prepared, and would be gazetted shortly. The Minister explained that at present the mechanical engineering branch has two distinct systems of training, namely, the cadet system and the apprentice system. Neither of these two systems is considered quite satisfactory. The former does not embrace a trade training, while the latter does not provide for anything but a trade training. The system which will be brought into operation by these regulations will improve the present position by embracing both aspects. Under the new regulations apprentices \till be given theoretical instruction in addition to being taught their trades. The idea is to enable those unxious to advance to become engineers with the practical side of their education fully developed. The new regulations provide for training classes, .examinations, and the award of scholarshiprs, and these will have a stimulating effect on the whole apprenticeship question. At the same time they will provide a greater inactive ' for' more diligent study and work oh the part of the lads concerned. It will be necessary for- a certain standard of efficiency and conduct -to be reached before an apprentice will he considered. for permanent appointment as a tradesman in the service. There are at the present time 400 apprentices undergoing training in the railway workshops. Apprentices were previously admitted on a Standard V school certificate, ' but a Standard VI pass will now be required. Applicants (possessing higher educational qualifications may be given preference in the matter, of appointment. ' ■ Is will be compulsory for uppurtices in the locomotive and maintenance branches to attend technical schools on two nights per week during the first three years of their apprentice-, ship. The studies required to he taken include strength of materials, drawing, mathematics, etc. Instruction will also be given during the day at schools provided by the Department, but this teaching is to supplement, not overlap, that given by the technijcal schools. The Department will refund the fees of apprentices' who. attend a certain fixed, percentage of lectures and : produce a satisfactory report from the Director of the Technical School. An- annual examination will be held by the Department in connection with the day classes.. 1 r Provision is made to award annually two or more scholarships, tenable for four years each, to apprentices in the locomotive and maintenance branches. 1 The scholarships will also be open to tradesmen who have completed their apprenticeship not more than two years before the award. The scholarships will be awarded on the highest all-round qualifications— : learning, tradesmanship, and character. In the case of a scholarship holder, who passes the engineering entrance examination before 23 years of ago provision has been made entitling him to a two years’ course at the School of Engineering, Canterbury College. . “In conclusion,” said Mr Taverner. “I would like to express 1 my appreciation of the co-operation of the tradesmen in formulating the new. regulations. The alterations that have been made will, I feel sure, not only tend to a still higher standard of practical achievement in the trades but will also materially increase the opportunities for advancement to the highest positions in the Department.”