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Chinese Staff (Trade).
It can be taken for granted that, unless possibly in the Automobile Repair Trade, there are no adequately trained Chinese available in the Colony for posts as Trade Instructors. It seems highly probable that, in the first instance, we will require to appoint men on a temporary basis, possibly for as long as four or five years, while suitable instructors are trained up in the works. A knowledge of industrial conditions is absolutely essential for a Trade School instructor, for which reason it is not proposed to train up instructors in the Trade School itself, although these trainees will certainly attend special courses of instruction at the Trade School.
It is possible that, by the time these instructors are required, it will be possible to get one machineman and one plumber from Singapore; these would require to speak Cantonese fluently, to have passed through the Trade School, and have at least two years' industrial experience.
It would be highly convenient if an Engineering Graduate of Hong Kong Univer- sity could be induced to serve a complete four years' apprenticeship in the shops. He would be able to take all classes in Technical English, teach one or more selected trades, take over a number of lecture classes, and possible supervise in the Drawing Office. It would be essential that a maintenance grant be given during apprentice- ship, and that an adequate salary scale should be offered. Considering that such a man must take a more expensive course, must spend longer in training, must perform much more arduous duties and work longer hours than any University Trained Teachers at present in employment, an adequate scale of salary should be offered.
As regards the building trade, positions could be offered to foremen in the Public Works Department provided they show adequate knowledge.
A sound knowledge of English will be essential in all permanent Chinese Staff.
It is not at present possible to state requirements exactly, but provision should be made for getting trainees into training as soon as the scheme is approved.
A Chinese instructional staff of about ten is contemplated for the Trade School.
A staff of eight University Trained Teachers is contemplated for the Junior Tech- nical School but this number may be reduced to six as suitable trainees complete their apprenticeship; or alternatively the number of students may be increased by the inclu- sion of a Junior Building Course.
Instructional Staffs-District Schools.
Provision is made in this year's Estimates for two well educated youths who will serve a special two years' apprenticeship in the joiner's shop in Taikoo Dock. They will gain the requisite knowledge of teaching by assisting in the evening Trade classes held at present in the Junior Technical School under the Technical Institute.
These youths will receive a maintenance grant during training and, on completion of their course will be taken on the Technical Staff. They will act as Visiting Instruc- tors at the various District Schools where their services are required, the quality of their work being supervised by the Principal, Trade and Technical Schools.
On
A suitable rate of pay would, in the first instance, be $960-80-$1800. reaching their maximum, these instructors should be considered for promotion to a scale of $2400-80-$3600 according to their efficiency and the general success of the
courses.
A fairly high salary rate is essential, as these instructors will carry out much of their work without immediate supervision; it is therefore necessary to attract a very good type of youth to these posts.
Further trainees can be put into training as required,
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