The Glasgow courier., 1918-01-25


sideration. Thus, not only is tuition
free. but the man is freed from worry
as to his dependents, and able to de-
vote 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 ?"
I shall endeavor to answer this,
though indirectly.
The matter of what new OCCUPATION
a disabled man may be trained for is
clearly, first of all, medical one.
But it is also question for tech
nical specialist or Vocational Coun-
sellor": a man well versed in the
knowledge and methods of various in
dustries and of the training necessary
for those who desire to pursue them.
But further, and this is an important
consideration, it is an economic ques-
tion, touching the law of supply and
demand; for while there are a num-
ber of occupations for which it is not
difficult to train men, it does not fol-
low that employment can readily be
obtained in them. Last, but by no
means least, the mans own wishes
and desires for his future must be
consulted.
Individual Considerations
The question then is an individual
one and every case is investigated
separately. The decision is made in
the light of the medical, technical, eco-
nomic and personal factors in his case.
When it appears from mans medi-
cal records that he is likely to be un-
able to return to his former occupa
ton, he is examined by an official of
the commission, a vocational education
expert, termed the "District Vocation
al Officer" This officer obtains from
the man particulars of his schooling
and other education and also his in
dustrial history. May l 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 living. The
vocational officer also records (of
course, for confidential use only) his
impressions of the man as revealed
in his interview, during which vari-
Gus other information is also obtained,
such as mans hobbies, recreations,
habits, etc. A special examination
is then made of the case by medical
officer who reports on the mans pow
ers and limitations in the light of his
vocational future.
The training is being given in a va
riety of ways and places. In several
centers the simple equipment for the
classes for convalescent patients in
the hospitals is being increased so that
re-education courses in certain lines
can be given there. The experience
of France seems to be in favor of
what might be termed "boarding
schools" where the men live in the
institution where they are being train
ed. But provinces and municipalities
throughout Canada have offered the
facilities afforded by their technical
colleges and schools and also by their
institutions for training in agriculture
for the purpose of training disabled
men, and advantage is being taken of
them. One thing is clear, however
and that is that the ordinary curricu-
lum and timetable will not suit;
neither should the disabled men be
placed in regular classes. Therefore
where men are being trained in mu-
nicipal and other institutions, it is ar.
ranged whenever possible, to form
special groups, limited in number un.
der a special teacher.
The finding of suitable instructors
has been and still is one of the diff.
cult problems of the work. Canada
as a whole has not been considering
very seriously the question of voca'
tional and industrial training and ou1
supply of skilled instructors was al
too short before the war. But quite
number of these men have gone ov
erseas, and it has been found neces
sary, in several instances, to take
them from the combatant ranks tt
serve as instructors in this country
Also and this will probably increase
disabled men are being engaged az
instructors whenever available.
C Some disabled men are being re-
educated in private institutions, sucl
as business colleges and automobile
schools, but as both of these lines are
being taken up in connection with the
classes in the hospitals, it is moi
probable that many will be trained il
this way. Numerous offers are alst
being received to train men in pri
vate workshops. In France, this plar
was tried somewhat extensively, the
men being given an allowance to en-
able them to live at home. Annar