Government and the training of apprentices in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, 1952

Abstract

In bringing this work to an end I have satisfied an old ambition. For to me the writing of this dissertation has not been merely the fulfilling of the requirements set down by the Statute of the Royal University of Malta for obtaining the Diploma in Public and Social Administration. I have had direct contact with apprentices since 1956 when as a Master in the Government Technical Schools I was detailed to deliver some lessons at the Apprentices School. During the scholastic year 1957/58 I gladly accepted to be the Master in charge of cultural and out-of-school activities in addition to my normal duties as a teacher. In 1958 I wrote a short article about the School which was very well received by the Headmaster. When that same year I was appointed an Executive Officer in the Public Works Department, where I still carry out my official duties, I did not sever my connections with apprentices. On the contrary my knowledge of their needs and my awareness of what was necessary for an improvement of our apprenticeship system increased since I then had the opportunity of meeting apprentices not on the school bench but at their place of work. I decided to take the subject of apprentice training as the theme for my dissertation one day in 1961 when five young men called on me. They had been awarded the journeyman's certificate after successfully completing a six-year apprenticeship at the Public Works Department. Bad news soon followed the award tor they were told that they could not be retained in Government service because no vacancies existed. They called on me, their e:icteacher at the Apprentices School, to help them, but, unfortunately, I could not do. anything for them.