STAFFING THE MOTOR INDUSTRY.
Page 15
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By an Officer.
AN EllITORIAL note in The Commercial Motor of June 10th Opens up a question that should appeal to the "powers that be of the motor industry, and the thought occurs that a special department of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders could he created to deal with this -subject, as it is very necessary that such a training organization should have the approval and active co-operation of all motor manufacturers and traders.
, To put the scheme on a sound basis, it is necessary to start at: once with pupils, as, then, it would be possible to build up an efficient bureau, and to record a complete history of training, because it would be a, herculean task to make such a scheme in any way retrospective. Such a bureau should have a. complete list of works, fees, dates of vacancies, etc., and it sh-mild be possible for a standard syllabus of train ing to be adopted. You refer to the number of demObilized officers and men now available. The motor industry should be able to absorb a: large number of these, especially those who have been attached to the MT., R.A.S.C. At present, of course, the makers of commercial motors and components have little difficulty in disposing of their production, but, in•a• year or two, the question may he different and competition will," doubtless, be very keen. Then the advantage should he with those concerns who have the best trained staffs at their disposal. Most concerns are very particular in the selection of clever and well-trained designers, works engineers, etc., but they do not demand soattuch from the selling side, which is proved by the fact thatiagenciesifor commercial vehicles are often held by incapable people., The commercial motor salesman, in addition to being conversant with all questions of haulage and the necessary figures of running costs, should he au fait with every single part of the machine he is selling; and should be able to inspect the vehicles of customers and advise on all questions of adjustments and repairs. By such a service of periodical inspections, the users will feel that the makers are looking after them, and repeat orders and recommendations will be the makers' reward. : Such an engineer-salesman should be in 'constant 1,ouch with the makers' designer, -so that any troubles
of design that are experienced by users may be at once rectified. Further, during his tours; he must come across a very great variety of bodies, so co
operation with the body-building department is another thing to be considered, as the engineer-salesman should be able to advise upon the most suitable class of body for any special trade and conditions. Now, it is here that the demobilized M.T: men might be given a chance, as many of them have already obtained valuable experience in running lorries on service, and, whilst many are not qualified engineers, yet they know considerably more, than the difference bet-Ween a split pia and a sparking plug. Apart from the fact that it would be a:patriotic action to give these men a chance, it would be to the benefit of the motor trade in general if makers would adopt some such method. All the large manufacturing firms should 'be able to take, say, half-a-dozen men and the smaller a lesser number.
T:he following is an example of a useful course of training :—
Shops, 1 month • erecting, 1 month ; shop and road testing, 1 month ; repairs 1 month ; body-build-Mg, 1 week; • drawing office, 1 week ; spare parts department,-1 week • publicity department, 1 week ; sales manager's office, 1 month—total 6 months. •
Some may object to such a course, on the • grounds that private information may be obtained, but the last month is the only doubtful one in that respect, and this, of course, Could be reserved for the men the firm have decided to retain in permanent eniploy. Other men the firm might send to branch offices, or recommend them to large agents, or to users `who have a fleet of the firms vehicles4,411Y men who have proved themselves incompetent during such training must be treated accordingly. '
This scheme could be carried out with the minimum expense to firms, as the Ministry of Labour will make certain allowances to officers who have had their careers interfered with, and the Appointments Department, Ministry of Labour, weuld be only top pleased to hear from firms prepared to adopt this
method.
The Ministry of Labour have already been able to get certain firms to give facilities to officers for a works' course.