Training the Future Maintenance Staff
Page 30
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THE" following few pointers are addressed particularly to those 'members of the road-transport industry who are concerned with the repair and upkeep of their own vehicles—that is, those who employ their own maintenance staffs. Naturally, it is to their advantage to employ thebest men, and it is in their own interests to train the youths as efficiently as possible. •
I have rarely seen a sizable repair garage, private or otherwise, which did not employ boys. Some were classed as apprentices, Whilst others, who were not, just " piled in " on whatever job was going. That brings me to my first point.
The boys should be designated; that is, after a probation period of, say, six months, they should be told, or, better still, should have an agreement in writing, to the effect that they are apprentices, or that they will eventually be made drivers or just plain labourers.
There are two types of lad we need to bother about. The first is the one with little or no mechanical Eventually, he will desert motor repairing, so he way as well be put on to driving; he will prefer it, anyway.
The second is the lad who has a genuine interest in motor engineering and is a potential asset to the organization. It would be grossly unfair to make such a lad anything but a mechanic. Were attempts made to do
-so, he would, no doubt, ultimately Leave to find a job of his own choice.
• These, then, are the types of lad Ue *need. Now, the problem arises as to how to. give them their most efficient training. It will be remembered that the Government has laid down Certain post-war Standards' in a White. Paper. 1 cannot -believe that there are many operators who will be narrow.,minded enough to attempt evasion of their responsibilities in cases where they'clash their boys as apprentices:
Schools of Instruction ,
The scheme includes attendance at suitable schools for a number of hours per week, some of which time will be during the normal working hours. As the boys will be taught motor engineerbig, not onfy Should they be permitted to have the necessary time off, but it should be seen that they do attend and produce their reports for examination.
Part-time educational fees are small, but it helps a lad if he be assisted in this direction. It demonstrates, toe, a direct interest in his welfare. I feel that any such expenditure will pay a dividend.
The motor trade, through the I.M.T., is formulating anedueational scheme, to cover a period of years, with a definite • programme to a predetermined standard. it has been suggested that the motor trade differs from road-trans . port engineering. If this be the case, then I suggest that the various organizations propose their own scheme.
I conclude with a few further suggestions for assisting apprentices, all 01 which I hope will prove acceptable.
(1) Where more than one youth is apprenticed, a competition should be conducted, marks being given foi attendance, progress, etc. Prizes to 17.e technical books or tools, • (2) If boys desire to purchase books that are beyond their means, I suggest a small fund from which the books can be bought, the boys to pay for them by instalments.
(3) A definite interest should be shown in their education.
(4) Wage' increases to be granted en the production of course* passes, instead of on birthdays.
(5) The Possession of a small but good library of technical books, from which all can borrow„ including the maintenance staff in general.
(6) The various weekly and monthly periodicals should be available in Ordel to keep the outlook of the boys in it proper perspective.
It should be remembered that a pro. perly trained and keen maintenance staff can keep the road wheels turninE efficiently, and a man trained from youth in specific requirements is ofter better than an importation.
H. M. HOUGHTON, A.M.Inst.B.E.