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Wednesday, January 7, 1976
APPRENTICESHIP BILL INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO
A bill to improve existing and future apprentice training
in certain trades was introduced in the Legislative Council by the
Commissioner for Labour, the Hon. Ian Price, today.
Moving the second reading of the Apprenticeship Bill 1975,
he said: "I regard this Bill as an, important beginning on which to
build much good for industry and for the young who acquire, their skills
in industry."
Mr. Price said an apprenticeship was a form of systematic
training for three or four years whereby a youth acquired the skills
and knowledge needed for his trade.
"The practical element of such training takes place under
supervision within the employer's undertaking; and the related technical
education is normally provided by a part-time day-release course run in
a technical education institution.
"Experience elsewhere has shown that an apprenticeship along
these lines provides the best and most economical method of training skilled
manpower because apprentices are exposed to the pressures of industrial
conditions, and are usefully and productively employed," he said.
The essence of the Bill is that an employer may engage a young
person in a designated trade only if he has entered into a contract of
apprenticeship, or he has already completed an apprenticeship in that
trade and holds a certificate.
"A valid contract of apprenticeship is both the principal element
of the legal framework of the Bill and the lynchpin of proper apprentice
training," the Commissioner said.
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