Labour Court recommends recognising four vehicle apprentices from their start dates

In 1996, the Labour Court recommended that National Vehicle Deliveries Limited recognise four apprentices from their employment start dates for apprenticeship purposes. The recommendation was dated 26 July 1996. The Amalgamated Transport And General Workers' Union disputed the company’s practice of requiring a pre-apprenticeship assessment period of up to six months. It said the apprentices had not been told their apprenticeships would start later and that this differed from past practice. The company said a trial period was needed to assess suitability. The Court recommended recognising the four from their employment dates. For future apprentices, it recommended that the apprenticeship start from the employment date, with a six-month probationary period for assessment before confirmation.