JOBS FOR BOYS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 444, 27 May 1937, Page 3

JOBS FOR BOYS

BRIGHTER PROSPECTS Many Openings In City In their quest for work to-day boys are faced with brighter prospects than they have been for years, says the Aucyland Star. Where in less happy times the lad of average intelligence andi capacity, pressingly in need of a job, might have been obliged to take the first available, opening, to-day opportunities are so numerous that he has a far greater chance of finding a position eminently to his ability and offering every hope of advancement.

The urgent needs of employers are said to have resulted in a. gratifying tendency. While the greatest diemand is for boys aged 16 years or under, many employers, finding that boys of this class are not available —immediately at liny rate —'are obliged to fill pressing vacancies with older lads, of 17, 18 and 19 years. In this way assistance is being given to the solution of one of the most terious problems encountered in the youth employment, field. Over 100 City Vacancies. Jobs are being offered for factories, shops, offices and farms, and yester. uLy the youth employment branch of the State' placement service had on its files more than 100 city vacancies waiting to be filled. Many of these clearly offer the chance to begin a worthwhile, life-time vacation, and, as a result of the scarcity of applications to fill them, they present to the boy with ambition a wide selection of opportunities. To put it plainly, he is becoming more and more able to “take his pick,” and he can reject at least the vacancies which may seem to offer few prospects. The demand for younger boys is

strong, bat the fhct that an increased proportion of older lads is being absorbed is evident when the placement figures are studied... The officer in charge of <the branch, Mr N. G. Gibble, stated that out of 26 placements made las-t week, 17 were cases of boys aged 17 years andi over, many of them taken for the reiason ithat the filling of the vacancies was urgent. This trend if considered particularly encouraging, and one which should stimulate confidence in the youth of 18 or 19 who might once have been inclined to “hang oft” until the time came for him to receive sustenance. Work on Farms. Although this is one of the quietieEt seasons of the year for country work, there i& a steady demand from farmerfe, many of whom are making known their requirements for months ahead’. Opportunities in the country have perhaps never been better, and conditions have immeasurably improved, but there are still difficulties in filling farm vacancies. For some lads the lallure of such city conditions as the five-day week is too strong; others, however, once they have begun, have found their ideal calling on the land.