ENG-1981 — Page 100

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EMPLOYMENT

designated trades, or of apprentices over 18 years engaged in designated trades, may also send their contracts of apprenticeship to the Labour Department for voluntary registration. In September, the trade 'repairman (electronic manufacturing)' became a designated trade, bringing the total number of designated trades to 38. All these trades were recommended for designation by the Hong Kong Training Council.

The Apprenticeship Division of the Labour Department is responsible for administering the ordinance. Its duties include advising and assisting employers in the training and employment of apprentices; ensuring that the training of apprentices is properly carried out; conciliating in disputes arising out of a registered contract of apprenticeship; and co-operating with technical education institutions to ensure that apprentices receive the necessary complementary technical education.

In 1981, the Apprenticeship Division registered 4 373 apprenticeship contracts, of which 844 were for non-designated trades. These contracts covered 3 799 craft apprentices and 574 technician apprentices. By the end of the year, 10 549 apprentices were being trained in accordance with the Apprenticeship Ordinance.

Courses of instruction for apprentices, normally on a part-time day-release basis, are provided at the Hong Kong Polytechnic and the technical institutes.

In the prevocational and vocational training field, a number of centres providing training in the technical, commercial and catering trades are run by the government and voluntary welfare agencies.

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