The Coconino sun., 1918-01-18
VOCATIONAL RE-EDUCATION
 OF CANADIAN SOLDIERS

|
 the more seriously disabled men for
 whom it is necessary to provide train
 ing for new occupations. Before the
 Commission could take this up in ear
 nest, two matters had to be dealt with
 by the Government.
 First, it had to be made clear that
 mans pension would not be reduced
 if, in consequence of any vocational
 training given him, he was able to
 overcome his disability and increase
 his earning power. The House of
 Commons Pension Committee saw the
 necessity of this and by Section of
 the Order-in-Council embodying the
 Committees recommendations, it is
 expressly declared that:
 "No deductions shall be made from
 the amount awarded to any pensioner owing to his having undertaken work
 or perfected himself in some form of
 industry"
 The other matter which had to be
 determined was how a disabled man and his dependents were to be main- tained during his period of re-educa- ton for new vocation. By another order-in- Council, the Commission was empowered to pay certain amounts for this purpose upon a scale drawn up after good deal of study and con- sideration. Thus, not only is tuition free, but the man is freed from wor- ry as to his dependents, and able to devote himself to his course of train ing.
 One of the questions frequently asked is, "For what trades or occupa- tions do you train the disabled men ?" l shall endeavor to answer this, though indirectly.
 The matter of what new occupa- tion disabled man may be traine' for is clearly, first of all, medical one. But it is also question for a technical specialist or Vocational Counsellor; man well versed in the knowledge of the methods of various industries and of the training neces- sary for those who desire to pursue them. But further, and this is an im- portant consideration, it is an econom- ic question, touching the law of supply and demand; for while there are number of occupations for which it is not difficult to train men, it does not follow that employment can readily be obtained in them. Last, but by no means least, the mans own wishes and desires for future must be con suited.
 The question then is an individual one and every case is investigated separately. The decision is made in the light of the medical, technical, ec- onomic and personal factors of his case. When it appears from mans medical records that he is likely to be unable to return to his former occu- patton, he is examined by an official of the Commission, vocational edu- cation expert, termed the District Vocational Officer" This officer ob- tains from the man particulars of his schooling and other education and al- so his industrial history. May I say here in passing that these industrial histories are revealing a sad waste of effort in the lives of numbers of our young men. Many of them appear to have drifted from job to job, largely for want of some training which would enable them to earn their liv- ing. The Vocational Officer also re- cords (of course, for confidential use only) his impressions of the man as revealed in his interview, during which various other information is al- so obtained, such as a mans hobbies, recreations, habits, etc. A special ex- animation is then made of the case by medical officer who reports on he mans powers and limitations in he light of his vocational future.
 The training is being given in va 'iety of ways and places. In several enters the simple equipment for the ,lasses for convalescent patients in he hospitals is being increased so hat re-education courses in certain ines can be given there. The expe- fence of France seems to be in favor # what might be termed "boarding chools" where the men live in the in- titution where they are being train d. But Provinces and municipalities Canada have offered the abilities afforded by their Technical Colleges and Schools and also their institution for training in agriculture, or the purpose of training disabled nen, and advantage is being taken of hem. One thing is clear, however, nd that is that the ordinary curric-