equipment were inspected and tested and 17,877 fault calls and repairs of an urgent nature were attended and carried out.
APPRENTICE TRAINING
8.55 At the end of the year there were 510 Apprentices under training in various Government Departments. This total includes 13 Apprentice Engineers, 114 Technical Apprentices and 383 Craft Apprentices. The figure of 544 expected in last year's report was not achieved due to resignations from the Scheme. Since its inception there have been 11% resignations in respect of Craft Apprentices and nearly 9% in respect of Technical Apprentices. Of the Craft Apprentice resignations approximately half were due to the fact that the individuals wished to continue full-time academic studies.
8.56 Of the old type apprentices undergoing training in the Waterworks Office and this Office, 16 completed their course during the year.
8.57 Four supernumerary posts of Workshop Instructor were approved during the year and staff recruited to fill them. These Officers will be placed in Departmental Workshops to relieve Workshop staff of the responsibility of training large numbers of Apprentices.
8.58 This year's Brown Cup winner is Mr. LEUNG Hip-hung of the Waterworks Office, who was adjudged to have made the best progress over the year in practical and theoretical fields.
STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
8.59 With staff increases approved in the 1971-72 estimates and other additional posts created during the year, the establishment of the Office at the end of the year was 4,744. In addition to this, a sum of $200,000.00 was approved for the purpose of engaging casual labour as and when required.
8.60 Recruitment to the professional grades continued with two Assistant Electrical and Mechanical Engineers being recruited locally and one Electrical and Mechanical Engineer from overseas. Recruitment, however, has not been sufficient to maintain the professional grades at their full establishment.
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