ENG-1972 — Page 81

EMPLOYMENT

Industrial Training

45

After five years of investigation, the final report of the Industrial Training Advisory Committee (ITAC) was published in November 1971 and is now under consideration by the government. Operating through a complex of committees, ITAC has drawn up a comprehensive picture of the industrial manpower needs now and in the near future 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 immediate deficiency in technical education and in-plant practical training facilities, and made recommendations on how to deal with various industrial training problems. Its recommendations will have far-reaching effects on the develop- ment of industrial training in Hong Kong.

Although the ITAC has submitted its final report to the government its as- sociated committees, in particular the industrial committees, continue with their work of updating manpower data. Three manpower surveys on the plastics, electrical apparatus and appliances, and the clothing industries were conducted by the respec- tive industrial committees in the year and one on the machine shop and metal working industry in November 1971. This second series of surveys represented part of an effort to draw up, at an early date, a development picture of specific manpower requirements.

In the field of pre-vocational and vocational training, a number of centres offering training in technical, commercial and catering trades are operated by volun- tary 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.

In line with recommendations made by ITAC, the construction of two more technical institutes to meet the demand for more industrial training was approved in August 1971 and it is expected that they will be brought into operation by 1975. The need for further technical institutes and for an expansion in the pre-vocational education programme is under consideration by the government.

The Apprenticeship Unit of the Labour Department continued its work of encouraging and assisting employers to set up modern organised apprenticeship schemes for training craftsmen and technicians. This year more firms have started technician apprentice training in the electronics, building, textiles and clothing in- dustries. In the metal working, plastics, electrical and motor trades, more firms have started craft apprentice training.

Technical education on a day-release basis forms an essential part of the appren- ticeship scheme proposed by the Apprenticeship Unit. Part-time day-release courses for both craft and technician apprentices are being provided by either the Hong Kong Polytechnic or the Morrison Hill Technical Institute. Most of the courses began in 1970 and the demand for places for new apprentices has continued.