XN000022-1980-03-09 — Page 4

SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1980

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CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE

TURNS OUT CRAFTSMEN IN GOOD DEMAND

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MORE THAN 1 200 YOUNG PEOPLE INCLUDING SEVERAL GIRLS HAVE COMPLETED TRAINING IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1977.

THE CENTRE OPERATED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY IS FINANCED BY A LEVY ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. ON COMPLETING THEIR TRAINING, ALL THE TRAINEES JOINED THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WHERE THEY PUT THEIR SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE THROUGH ON-THE-JOB TRAINING BEFORE BECOMING FULLY QUALIFIED CRAFTSMEN IN THEIR TRADES.

THE TRADES CATERED FOR BY THE CENTRE ARE BRICK-LAYING AND PLASTERING, CARPENTRY AND JOINERY, PAINTING, DECORATING AND SIGN=WRITING, PLUMBING AND PIPE FITTING, BAMBOO SCAFFOLDING, MASONRY, PLANT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE CENTRE HAD PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN REDUCING THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

+THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAS LONG BEEN PLAGUED BY A SHORTAGE OF SKILLED WORKERS AND WAS THEREFORE UNDULY STRAINED AS ITS ACTIVITIES PICKED UP IN THE MID 1970S.

+TO COPE WITH THE HIGH LEVEL OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AND THE INCREASED DEMAND ON AND NEW CHALLENGE TO THE INDUSTRY, THE INDUSTRY MUST INCREASE ITS PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH MECHANISATION AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS HAVING A BETTER TRAINED, DISCIPLINED AND SKILLED LABOUR FORCE, HE NOTED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN RESPONSE TO THE URGENT NEED OF THE INDUSTRY, THE AUTHORITY HAD APPLIED FOR AND WAS GRANTED BY THE GOVERNMENT A TEMPORARY SITE IN JUNE 1979 FOR THE TRAINING OF CONSTRUCTION PLANT OPERATORS, BAR-BENDERS, CONCRETORS AND LEVELLERS. THESE COURSES WERE STARTED WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF OBTAINING THE LAND.

MORE THAN 100 TRAINEES HAD COMPLETED SUCH TRAINING AT THE CENTRE AND WERE IN GREAT DEMAND BY THE INDUSTRY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CENTRE WAS NOW WELL-PLACED TO RESPOND RAPIDLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO ANY CHANGE IN THE MANPOWER REQUIREMENT OF THE INDUSTRY.

+ IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT THE CENTRE RETAINS THIS ABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY IF IT IS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE WHICH THE INDUSTRY REQUIRES AND EXPECTS, HE SAID.

عالم