XN000022-1974-02-20 — Page 6

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Wednesday, February 20, 1974

MORE JOIN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME

There was a 25 per cent increase in the number of young people

taking up approved apprenticeship schemes in Hong Kong last year, the

Labour Department's Senior Training Officer, Mr. Horace Knight, said today.

Most of the apprentices were placed with their employers by the

Industrial Training Division of the department.

**We have made very encouraging progress, particularly in terms

of increased co-operation from major industrial organisations, as well as

individual employers," Mr. Knight said.

"Last year, 923 school-leavers took up apprenticeships in industry

and government departments - 194 as technician apprentices and 729 as

craft apprentices. Of these 923, we ourselves placed 783.

"This compares with 425 out of 750 in 1972, so we're making

considerable headway."

Mr. Knight said that last year, the Industrial Training Division

had also helped 43 firms either to start apprentice training or to improve

their existing programmes along the lines of his division's formal training

scheme.

There are now 165 employers running training schemes for some 2,500

apprentices. The majority of them work in automobile repairs and servicing,

electronics, ship-building and repairs, and the building and textile industries.

"Our basic objectives where apprentice training is concerned are two-

fold to assist in building up an adequate supply of skilled manpower to

sustain industrial growth and increasing industrial sophistication; and to

create for our young people the training opportunities which lead to a career

in industry.

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