FUTURE JOBS

Shannon News, 26 November 1926, Page 1

FUTURE JOBS

WHAT THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS . FANCY. FARMING HEADS THE LIST. Useful tabulated statistics regarding the avenues of life into which boys have to go after leaving High' School have been collected by Mr. W. A. Armour, M.A., M.Sc, headmaster of the Napier Boys' High School, and were submitted by him to a meeting of the board in Napier. introducing his subject the headmaster said: "There has been considerable discussion recently regarding the great cost of secondary education. It is often stated that too many pupils get the benefit of) free secondary education. Another statement heard is that the education given is not suited to the majority of those receiving it. A further statement made is that the courses offered are tqo narrow, too theoretical, too dissociated from the realities of life. "I therefore thought it would be a good investigation to make some inquiry among and gather some statistics that might prove helpful in an inquiry along these lines.

"Consequently, on a day in September of this year, I had prepared a list of queries which I asked all pupils at that time in the school to answer. Ag a result I received answers from 274 pupils regarding the future occupations they are likely to follow when they leave school."' Mr. Armour submited a list of the fancied pursuits of his pupils as follows:—Farming 46, clerical 43, engineering (all kinds) 26, law 19, accountancy 19, school teaching 18, uncertain 14, banking 13, Public Service 11. dentistry 9, surveying 7, retailers 6, building trades 6, pharmacists £, warehouses (soft goods) 6, sea 4, architecture 4, medicine 3, draughtsmanship 3, journalists 31 land and stock ■' agents ,3, music teacher 1, science specialist 1, painter 1, nurseryman 1, commercial traveller 1. A Commercial Training.

Commenting on the statistics, the headmaster said: "Farming heads the' list, and as a future calling it is much sought after. If parents and pupils could see better opportunities of getting on the land, it would be found that the number of prospective farmers would considerably exceed 46,/la fact, the number who would like to engage in farming if . reasonable opportunities offered is 61, i.e., about 22 per cent, of the total number.

"It may appear that too many are offering 1 for clerical pursuits, viz., 43 for positions in offices, 19 for accountancy, and 13 for banking, a tota/ of 75. But it should be noted that many are electing to begin in these positions with a view of gaining commercial experience ' before going in for farming or some other line of life. It should be noted, too, that far from flooding clerical occupations; with pupils, we find it each year rathe* difficult to supply a sufficient number of qualified pupils to fill the demands of mercantile houses.

"Besides, the majority of pupils enter , the higher branches of clerical work in which it is necessary to continue studies and pass higher examinations. Previous preparation for such examinations is probably more easily obtainable at a secondary school than elsewhere. Hence it is natural that a secondary school should supply a good percentage of candidates for insurance offices, banks, mercantile and accountancy firms, offering good prospects of promotion, and a good knowledge of business. The total, 75, ia after all not more than 27 per cent, of the total. Apprentices Objected To. "I am confident that more boys would offer themselves for trades, such as the building trade and others, if positions as apprentices were more freely available. It would almost appear that master tradesmen do not encourage the employment of apprentices of fair education. "At any rate, in the papers forwarded to me by pupils many express the desire to master a good trade it there were better facilities offered. In., our own school building operations, still uncompleted, yet involving an expenditure of over £70,000, I shall be surprised to learn if more than four apprentices all told have been employed in any way on the construction. "The number of pupils who propose to take a direct university course (engineering, dentistry, medicine, science) is 17, or six per cent. In addition an I indirect university course is to be taken by 60, or 22 per cent., in law, accountancy, teaching and architecture, making a total of 77, or about: 28 per cent, of the pupils. Waiting' To See. "A scrutiny of the proposed occupations will show that 14 pupils, or about five per cent., are uncertain as to their future occupations. Many are top young to make a definite, choice, many have no special conviction, and many are waiting a year or two to see if economic changes in the Dominion may give a different bent in the matter of employments. The average age of the pupils enumerated is 15 years 9 months, and this low average will no doubt appear noteworthy. It indicates the tendency even under present conditions /to begin earlier than formerly on the secondary stage of education. It should indicate, too, that often more is expected of secondary pupils in all ways than their average age warrants.*'

Mr. Armour went on to say that of