ENG-1971 — Page 99

EMPLOYMENT

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manpower needs of 10 major industries. In addition it has prepared and compiled minimum job standards and specifications for the principal jobs in these industries, evaluated the deficiency in technical education and in-plant practical training facilities, and made recom- mendations on how to solve various industrial training problems. Its recommendations could have far-reaching effects on the develop- ment of industrial training in Hong Kong.

In the field of pre-vocational and vocational training, a number of centres offering training in technical, commercial and catering trades are operated by voluntary welfare organisations and the Government. Committees of the ITAC complex have played an active role in co-ordinating and raising the standard of training in these centres.

The Apprenticeship Training Unit of the Labour Department con- tinued its work of encouraging and assisting employers to set up modern organised apprenticeship schemes for training craftsmen and technicians. Firms in the electronics and building industries which began technician apprentice training last year took on further new apprentices this year. Other firms in these industries, as well as in the clothing and textiles industries, have started training. At crafts- men level, firms in the metal working, electrical and motor trades, which started training last year, took on more apprentices this year.

Technical education on a day-release basis forms an essential part of the apprenticeship scheme proposed by the Apprenticeship Train- ing Unit. Part-time day-release courses for both craft and technician apprentices are being provided by either the Hong Kong Technical College or the Morrison Hill Technical Institute. Most of the courses began in 1970 and the demand for places for new apprentices has not abated.

In line with recommendations made by the ITAC, the construc- tion of two more technical institutes to meet the demand for more industrial training has been approved and it is expected that they will be brought into operation by 1976. The need for more institutes will also be assessed at an appropriate time during the construction of these two additional centres.