Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-17
Wednesday, March II, 1926.
Adversely is the trial Of principle.
Without it man hardly knows wheth-
er he is honest or not.-Fieldng.
LACK OF APPRENTICES

The building trade of the country
Is recognizing the need not only OF
apprentices, but apprentices properly
trained, Employers and employees
in some forward looking communi-
ties have anticipated the increasing
lack of this fundamental and have
demonstrated that 1t is profitable
to all parties concerned to have
properly trained and capable appren-
tices.
The chief of the trades and indus
trial division of the Federal Board
for Vocational Education declares
that mot only is there a decrease
in proportion to the population, but
there are actually fewer mechanics
than there were a decade ago. For
example, the number of journeymen
plumbers has shrunk from $4,000 in
1910 to 100000 in 1928. The numbers
in most, If not all, of the other trades
has decreased proportionately and 1t
is evident that there is a definite
shortage Of young men being trained
to fill the vacancies created in the
ranks of the journeymen by change
of occupation, promotion, death, re-
striction of immigration, and other
reasons.
"From general information received
from both employers and mechanics
n is evident that there is in some
leases a lack of organized cooperation
between them in dealing with the
problem of apprenticeship. AS a
result of this lack of cooperation
there has been a decreasing number
of boys entering the building trades
and those who have entered have
not been given the training and
experience necessary for them to be-
come skilled mechanics.
'"This condition has also resulted
in failure. to get the best type of
boys to enter the building trades as
apprentices. The uncertainty OF
employment due to the fact that
building construction is in many
cases, a seasonal industry and to the
failure of contractors to cooperate
in keeping apprentices employed,
the lack of organized training, MAX
ing it difficult for the apprentice to
become q skilled craftsman, and the
tendency to use apprentices as
helpers or common laborers, have all
contributed in discouraging the am
bilious boy from entering the
industry"
Manifestly this condition cannot
continue; the needs of the country
will not tolerate it. Either there
will be cooperation between en-
ployers and employees to educate a
high grade of apprentices of our
own with consequent advantage from
having skilled American labor adapted
to our needs, or change will be made
in the immigration laws to permit
such labor to come from outside.
The building trades are assured of
good wages and seasonal employment
with promise of that being continued
throughout the year. Such condi-
tions should attract our boys, who
are among the best.
In the city of Cleveland apprentice
ship classes operate under the direct
supervision of a joint committee
composed of representatives Of the
contractors. the local unionsand the
board of education. Each candidate
must pass a satisfactory examination,
il accepted he is given reasonably
steady employment for four years
until he is indentured and receives
his diploma. The results are most
gratifying, better craftsmen, better
relations between employer and en-
ploye, increased production of a
better quality, apprentices with pride
in their work and educated to become
T.
would impede such development as
that are no better than the dog in the
manger and should so be treated.