XN000022-1976-01-07 — Page 6

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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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