The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-05-06
FEDERAL BOARD
TRAINING CENTERS

The federal board of vocational edu-
cation discovered early in its work OF
rehabilitating the disabled eX-service
men that its obligations were many and
greatly diversified for in addition to
those disabled men eligible and able to
take training there are other ex-serv-
ice men eligible but physically unable
to take either institutional or placement
training as customarily provided, the
latter being divided into two groups
namely those eligible for training but who
are still patients in hospitals. and those
eligible but physically unable to take
the training although they may so be IA at
These groups comprise principally tu-
berculous and mental cases. 1t is the
duty of the federal board. in so far as
only because the rehabilitation act re-
quires it, but because society and econ
omic conditions render it imperative.
The organizers of the rehabilitation
division early visualized this. problem
and worked out program which was
eventually to make provision for these
who could not because in hospitals. and
the ones who did not. for variety OF
reasons. come to the federal board.
In the earlieir work of rehabilitating the
disabled veterans of the World War. the
Federal board made use OF schools OF
all kinds that We're already established;
these were filled to capacity. 1t was also
found that there were types OF men who
could not be taught to the best advant-
age in any existing schools. which were
established and being conducted along
lines suitable to normal men. and mostly
young men. They were not adapted to
disturbances: to men afflicted with tu-
berculosis: to men able to devote only
part time to stud y: to men with little or
no education. and to other special class
Rut all these must he given the
benefits OF the rehabilitation act.
Therefore. about a year ago. the fed
or training centers to better meet the
needs of the men mentioned above. These
schools are not intended TO compete with
any existing training facilities but rath-
er to supplement them.
AS a matter of admin stration. each OF
the fourteen districts into which the
ton purposes has special officer
known as the supervisor Of federal board
training centers. whose duty it is to or
Of these special centers. He is always
a man of experience AS an educator and
organizer. with knowledge Of the voca-
t.onal lirHs that are in demand at the
Centers are established in hospitals so
thot men undergoing treatment may as
soon as they are able. devote part OF
their time to study. In this way they
! lin their training and also find out
what line OF work they are most inter-
ested in.
AS a matter OF experience, it has been
proven that orlv an hour may be de-
voted on the first day OF this training
Tho time which he may be able to spend
upon his work may be Increased. Elk
Terience has also proven that the work
result in the Improvement Of his health.
and IS. therefore. welcomed by the hos
pital authorities.
Another fact should not be overlooked.
Men entering the hospitals who have
not, as vet, been approved for training
ere assisted in making out the necessary
in order that an s1,sbIn and Ia tbeg
are TO remain in the hospitals for. some
time. they will then be able to take un
their training in the hospitai scn4o,'
they will be able to step directly from
the hospital into regular vocational
M"ch of the work in the hosnitals is
Erglish. spelling. etter-writing. arith-
tally valuable for men of foreign birth
or those who have little education and
might easily be considered necessity
Industries. Considerable vocational work
is also dore along the lines of tyne
rercial art fillus.rating) business law.
and sign painting In a few instances
work of a. mechanical nature like watch
making. SDpe anu SiSSlIiClly u
given looking forward to more EXTEND
ed course in these trades after the re-
coyery OF health. Frequently men are
tutorcd in advanced subjects. in fact,
most OF the work is individual rather
than class becauCe the men are of such
dirrrent Attachments and needs.
Three definite things Gre. therefore
accomplished while Tie mar is making
h. stay in the hospital.
One Hn {. furnished educs tional and
pre-voeat tons: training as an encour-
r-enaent so that upon his Siscaa-1e la