Taking the
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Long View of LABOUR PROBLEMS
up to the age of 16 years are put into trade apprentice training to enable them to become tradesmen and fully skilled in .the various crafts that they have chosen. The course ends when the young //Ian attains the age of 21 or cornpletes the qualifying period necessary in the particular trade,
Training for Leadership
Engineering students enter at 17 years or upwards, embarking on a three-year course intended to fit them ultimately to fill executive positions in the design, manufacturing, service, or sales sides of the industry. An arrangement exists whereby trade apprentices of particular ability may be raised to the engineeringstudent status.
Where boys have a leaning towards the clerical side; they take up training as commercial* students, following through a course in all the main subjects necessary in modern commerce.
University scholarships are available, which enable trainees in any of the categories mentioned to take a three-year engineering course, with residence at one of the universities.
A further classification, applicable only to post-war conditions, is that of rehabilitation student; former employees of staff category, including student engineers, returning from war service are put through this course of approximately six months, during which period they are given a full insight into organization and production methods as a prelude to atcepting suitable positions on the company's staff.
When a boy enters into employment at Leyland Motors, Ltd., in whatever capacity, he spends one day a week at the company's school. It is administered in conjunction with the county education .authority, the facilities including A34 going forward for Ordinary and Higher National Certificates continue their training at the Harris Institute, Preston.
The aim underlying the training given to younger members of the staff is that each youth shall acquire basic skill in the operation of Valid and machine tools, coupled with a practical knowledge of materials used, knowledge of manufacturing systems and of the departments and personnel with which he must come in contact.
Both trade apprentices and engineering students enter the apprentice training centre, Here they work under the direct supervision of the engineering apprentices superintendent, who is responsible for deciding their shop movements. Instruction is given on sectional models of the various units manufactured and later the young men are able to see the products in course of manufacture.
Objective Work
Although there is no repetition production work performed within the centre itself, every job carried out is for a specific requirement and not laid on merely to give practice. Separate bays are attached to the centre for such work as that of coppersmiths, tinsmiths and blacksmiths, so that every boy can See each trade in relation to all the others.
Foundry intake is still the biggest difficulty in the north-western area and there is now a junior foundry inducted in the apprentice establishment, where the youths can undergo a two-year course of preparation for their work.'
Other trades that boys may choose are fitter and erector, toolmaker, turner, millwright, boilermaker and welder, coachtrimmer, electrician, sheet-metal worker, moulder, coach and bodybuilder, coach and body painter, and per annum, the young men concerned being chosen for their potential executive ability, as well as by scholastic qualifications. Trade apprentices who, by reason of their continued high achievement, are transferred to the engineering students' grade, generally number three yearly. Residential fees are charged to the student category, but not to apprentices who have qualified for transfer.
Technical Studies In the normal course, a full week-day and One evening weekly will be devoted to technical training at the Manchester College of Technology or the Harris Institute at Preston; students can study to degree standard and may obtain the Ordinary or Higher Certificates of the I.M .E.
Open to trade apprentices, engineering and commercial students, up to four university scholarships a year are awarded on merit. In the majority of cases such grants provide a three-year course at the Universities of Manchester or Liverpool, fees for tuition, board and similar necessities being met by the company.
Special attention is paid to the desirability of training key personnel from customers' establishments, and a separate school is maintained for this purpose. This affords about a week's course and Leyland Motors. Ltd.. takes responsibility for those concerned from the time of their arrival until their departure, all necessary expenses for accommodation being met., by the company.
No attempt is made to teach maintenance, but rather the object is to explain the reasons for changes in design, which points need attention and when. Courses are set aside for various grades of employee. One week's instruction will be on the chief engineer level, whilst on other occasions there will be periods for the special benefit of fitters and foremen.
A former field engineer gives instruction and the technical department primes instructors on what is happenint in the field, so that, when necessary, a point can be made of referring to particular difficulties. Special attention is given to explaining the precise manner in which the stores system operates.
So far as is possible in the limited time available, these students are able to analyse the chief features of the various units, and are provided with explanations of design and methods of manufacture. To facilitate their studies, many sectioned units are available and test apparatus is on hand where necessary.
During the visitors' stay, facilities are available for inspecting the company's plants at Leyland, Chorley and Farington. A tour of the engineering division, with its drawing office, research and development department and materials laboratory is of particular interest.
Yet another effort to encourage young men in industry was the establishment, two years ago, of the Leyland Motors Engineering Society, which, although it receives certain guidance from older members of the staff, is primarily for employees up to the age of 25 years.
Operating on the lines of an engineering institution, the society offers opportunities for young men to get up among their fellows and speak or demonstrate in public, On the annual President's Night, one departfnent of the works is opened for inspection by the students' families and friends, so that they can see something of the immense organization lying behind the construction of the modern passenger or goods carrying vehicle.;