5^0 TKADI-: SCHOOLS AS A[DS TO INDUSTRY. 



the employers, the school course should be of a general prepara- 

 tory nature, not ix)inting to particular trades, and extend over 

 two years only. The Association of Certificated Engineers, the 

 members of which I am fully justified in saying have proved 

 themselves the best friends of the school, took the same view, 

 but suggested specialisation after the probationary ])eriod. and 

 this opinion was found to be shared hy all other enii)loyers' asso- 

 ciations. 



It was then decided to consult the various trade unions on 

 the Rand, and in all a series of about 30 meetings were held. 

 Time forbids an analysis oif the results, but I select as examples 

 the points discussed, and the decisions arrived at, at the meetings 

 with an employers' association — -the Association of Certificated 

 Engineers — on the one hand, and a trade union— the .\malgani- 

 ated Society of Engineers — on the other. 



1. The representatix es of the Association complained that, as 

 representing the resident engineers on the Rand who controlled 

 all engineering apprentices, they had not been consulted bv tlu- 

 G<3vernment wlien trade schools were started. 



2. Position Zi'ith rctjard to Apprenticeship. — The Associa- 

 tion was strongly in favour of apprentices in the engineering 

 trades bein^i' indentured in outside workshops after completing 

 their trade school course. 



3. The Term " Improver." — The Association condemned the 

 ordinary use of this term, and wished by " im])rover " to \k- 

 understood one who had served his full apprenticeshi]). h\\\ wa> 

 not expert enough at his trade to (.-ommand the standard rate of 

 wages paid to journeymen. 



4. The Term " Learner.' — Tlic Association took exce])tion 

 to the term " learner " as used in ct)tmection with the engineering 

 trades. All apprentices should be indentured, and all whitt.' 

 youths in worksho])s. who are not thus indentured, should be 

 classed as " white labt)urers." 



5. Period of Training at Trades School. — The Association 

 was in favour of this being limited to two years for all engin- 

 eering trades; this period to include a six months' pro1)ationary 

 pericxl. 



6. Nature of Training at Trades School. — The Association 

 strongly supjx>rted a specialised course of training for all engin- 

 eering trades, after the six months' probationary period ; it ob- 

 jected to a genera] course, as not being in the best interests of 

 thi^ lads. 



7. Miniynum Standard of FAiucation for .Ipprentices. — Tbe 

 Association agreed to Standard \'\. as the minimum standard to 

 accept as practicable at present, but was very nuicb in favour 

 of having Standard VII. regarded as the niininmm for a])])ren- 

 tices in the engineering trades. 



8. Support to Trades School. — The Association was, after 

 investigation, favourably impressed vvitii the training; being giveu 

 lit the 'JVades Sciiool, and wa> prepared, wlienever possible, to 



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