XN000022-1980-06-27 — Page 5

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1980

APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME EXTENDED TO HOTEL COOKS

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THE PROMOTION OF JOB TRAINING IN HONG KONG WILL TAKE ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN AUGUST WHEN A FURTHER TRADE IS INCLUDED IN THE COMPULSORY APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME.

THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE GAVE NOTICE TODAY THAT THE GOVERNOR, ON THE ADVICE OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, HAD SPECIFIED +HOTEL COOK - WESTERN STYLE AS A DESIGNATED TRADE UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE.

THE DESIGNATION WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON AUGUST 1, 1980 AND THE APPRENTICESHIP PERIOD IS THREE YEARS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A TRADE IN THE COMMERCE AND SERVICES SECTOR HAD BEEN DESIGNATED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DESIGNATED TRADES TO 37.

+ IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROMOTE APPRENTICE TRAINING IN TRADES VITAL TO HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIES AND TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF SKILLED MANPOWER, HE NOTED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ORDINANCE AFFECTED THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 18.

IT STIPULATES THAT AN EMPLOYER CAN ONLY ENGAGE A YOUNG PERSON IN A DESIGNATED TRADE IF THE YOUNG PERSON HAS ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR HAS COMPLETED AN APPRENTICESHIP AND HOLDS A CERTIFICATE IN THAT TRADE. BUT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR HAS POWER TO GRANT EXEMPTION IN CERTAIN CASES.

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED EMPLOYERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE NEWLY DESIGNATED TRADE TO PREPARE THEMSELVES TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE AND TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP WITH THE IR YOUNG WORKERS.

A CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE APPRENTICE WILL BE GIVEN ADEQUATE TRAINING, INCLUDING ATTENDANCE AT HIS EMPLOYER'S

EXPENSE ÎN A TECHNICAL COURSE RELATED TO HIS TRADE IN A GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. THE CONTRACT WILL ALSO HELP PROTECT THE EMPLOYER FROM LOSING HIS APPRENTICE TO ANOTHER EMPLOYER.

EMPLOYERS AND