B—2

(16) National Trades Certificates The Consultative Committee set up by the Minister under the Chairmanship oi the Chief Inspector of Post-primary Schools to consider a revision of the Department's trade examinations completed its deliberations, after having met sixteen times, on the Ist October, 1947. The Committee recommended the setting-up of a National Trades Certification Board under the joint authority of which, and of other examining authorities (either the Education Department or other established New Zealand examining body), there should be a series of National Trades Certificates in each trade in which there is a reasonable demand. It was recommended that the main functions of this National Trades Certification Board should be — (i) To make recommendations to the Minister of Education for facilities foi the training of candidates for trade examinations. (ii) To make recommendations in regard to any educational matter affecting apprentices to the appropriate New Zealand Apprenticeship Committee. (iii) To draw up prescriptions and conditions for qualifying examinations in trades as circumstances warrant, and conduct or arrange for the necessary examinations. (iv) To issue, either independently or in conjunction with other examining bodies, National Trades Certificates. (v) To work in the closest co-operation with any national examining bodies which may exist, some of which are examining bodies and issuing certificates under legislative enactment, and to be empowered to delegate its powers for the conducting of certain examinations to these bodies. It was recommended, further, that the constitution of this Board should be as follows: — (i) The Chairman, to be appointed by the Minister of Education on the recommendation of the Director of Education. (ii) Two other members, to be appointed by the Minister of Education on the recommendation of the Director of Education. (iii) Two members to be nominated by the New Zealand Employers' Federation. (iv) Two members to be nominated by the New Zealand Federation of Labour. (v) One member to be nominated by the New Zealand Electrical Wiremen's Registration Board. (vi) One member to be nominated by the New Zealand Motor Trade Certification Board. (vii) Two members to be nominated by the New Zealand Technical School Teachers' Association. (viii) The person for the time being holding office as Dominion Commissioner of Apprenticeship. The Committee in its report makes specific recommendations of examination prescriptions in the following trades : bricklaying ; cabinet-making ; carpentry and joinery ; electrical; fitting, turning, and machining ; motor-mechanics ; painting and paper-hanging ; plastering and tile-laying ; plumbing ; signwriting ; and welding. If the necessary legislation to give effect to the recommendations of this Committee is passed, as I hope it will be, I feel certain that we shall have made a very big step forward with a national system of Trade Certificates available in all trades in which there is a reasonable demand and of such a standard as to ensure ready recognition in this country and abroad. The implementation of the recommendations of this Committee will also provide a sound basis on which further advances can be made and consideration given to the possibility of establishing, in co-operation with the technical schools, a national system of professional diplomas similar to those widely accepted overseas.

19