Jobs with Prospects

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 559, 11 January 1929, Page 8

Jobs with Prospects

OUTLOOK AMONG TRADES THE educational authorities, in their advice to young people who are now standing on the threshold of business life, i have compiled information which is useful to professional men and workers in trades. An indication is given of the requirements of specific occupations, together with the prospects for advancement and the rates of salary received in each at the various stages of progress. It is noticeable that in almost every calling education in specific subjects is desired.

It does not necessarily follow the brilliant scholar will accomplish great things in the world of business. On the contrary, it is often found that the less precocious pupil will produce in the long run the most solid achievements. Many youths begin to show their true quality after they have left school, and too much reliance therefore cannot be placed upon their failure to win a certificate of proficiency. On the other hand, a solid educational grounding is desirable for almost every walk of life, and the

man who enters a trade or profession backed by a good framework of general knowledge, together with a sound business head, stands a greater chance than his less educated fellows of doing something worth while in the march of progress. Many trades are dying. By this it is meant there is an increasingly small demand upon their services. The passing of the horse as a means of transport has caused saddlery and farrier work to decline, while the prospects of cycle workers are uncertain on account of the decreasing demand for cycles. For the yacht, ship and boat-builder, too, there is but a meagre chance for advancement. In some trades quite an expenditure is required on kit, but in others no equipment is necessary when starting out. A youth may step forth into a job as a painter and paperhanger, and be completely equipped if he has a large pair of scissors tucked beneath his arm. When he gets on the job, of course, he will find cleanliness, artistic ability and a good colour vision to be splendid assets. His scope for specialising is wide, but jobs are few in Auckland at present. Wages range from 2s 3d to 2s 6d an hour for a 44-hour week.

Plastering, on the other hand, is a growing industry, and the prospects for regular employment and for advancement are good. The work is healthy, and the kit costs up to £1 ss. Wages are 2s 3Jd an hour to 3s an hour over a 4-t-hour week. Even temper and a light touch, as well as civility and steadiness, are required from the hairdresser, whose wages eventually range about the £5 mark. Doubtless a working knowledge of the latest racing results and the sporting scores would be an asset to this class of worker. The Bright Side A baker must be of clean and tidy habits and of good physique. A large i percentage of the men who go through this trade go into business on their own. The wages in the country are ! good for the skilled man. It is difficult to decide whether it I is advantageous to work indoors or outside. Under the classification of “advantages of trade,” the education authorities say the occupation of a boilermaker, leadlight and glassworker, and a boot operative, are “light indoor work,” while the advantages of a bricklayer’s and a gardener’s calling are “healthy outdoor life.” The only inducement that can be extended to aspirants to some of the trades is that they “might become foremen,” or that they “can qualify for professional standing.” Another attractive phrase is “wages good in the country.” This is the case with pastrycooks, for whom the prospects of employment are bright in all parts of the Dominion. “May go into business on own account” also sounds well in the ears of the young tradesman who is hoping to have enough capital some day to buy a shop of his own. Popularity of Professions In the professions hard study and long preparation is usually among the requirements. This outline, although not pretending to cover the scope of the professions, gives an idea of their popularity: In every 10,000 male breadwinners in New Zealand there are SO school teachers, 31 barristers or solicitors, 27 mechanical engineers, 24 marine engineers, 20 medical practitioners, 16 electrical engineers, 14 dentists, 10 surveyors, 10 civil engineers, eight architects and five musicians. Seventeen women in 10,000 workers are music teachers, and 76S in 10,000 go into school-teaching. There are 26 per cent, of male breadwinners engaged in agriculture. Three thousand men are practising accountancy, and 600 are in journalism. Generally speaking the trades in New Zealand do not offer a very bright future for the young man at the present time, unless the selection is made with great care, mainly because of the depression which the country has suffered during the past couple of years. In the professions the outlook Is still limited because of an over-enthusiastic post-war rush for law, dentistry and medicine. The wool cheques have begun to circulate, however, and when the increased prosperity reflects upon industry, steadier employment must result.