Evening star., 1940-06-23
Use Of Trade Schools
In Training Defense
Workers Studied
HiIImun Works on Plan.
To Expand Glasses on
Voluntary Bosis
BY ROBERT BRUSKIN.

Voluntary Busis
BY ROBERT BRUSKIN.
A. Goverrment-subsidized program
to train more than 6. million workers
for defense industries, chiefly
through use of trade school facili-
ties, was reported being considered
yesterday by Sidney Hillman, men,
ber of the National Defense Com
mission.
The plan probably will be an
nounced tomorrow and is expected
to cost more than $5O,000,0O0. De-
tense Commission sources declared
Although President Roosevelt re-
Gently declared himself in favor of
some form of compulsory Govern
ment service for young men and
women, the program contemplated
by Mr.. Hillman will be on a volun-
tary basis It may be expanded
later, however. depending on con-
gressional approval of compulsory
training.
Training facilities available to the
Civilian Conservation Corps and Ma
tional Youth Administration will be
expanded, but the main source of
training will be the Nations 1858
public trade schools and 155 engi-
neering schools at universities. The
public schools are expected to inte-
crate, their training program with
apprenticeships in the industries
which will receive Government
contracts.
Training Glasses in Shifts.
Training classes will be conducted
In shifts at the public schools, which
last year received SIS, ,433 1894 in Fed
eral support, some operating around
the clock. Three classes. therefore,
can be taught with the same facili-
ties where one was taught previously
The three-shift basis is already in
effect at schools in Hartford, Conn,
where Pratt & Whitney airplane
motors are made, and at Paterson,
N. j., where Wright airplane mo-
tors are made. Another, in Man.
haitian, is operating on that plan and
classes are reported to be crowded.
John w. Studebaker, commission
er of education, said that nearly a
billion dollars, half in equipment,
has been invested in the public
trade schools since 1918, when there
were less than 200 such schools.
Moreover. $4,000 trained instructors
are available who have had expert
ence in the needs of private indus
tries.
He estimated that by increasing
the shifts, 100000 or more could be
trained, in addition to the 100000
already being instructed in regular
classes.
With a bottleneck reported in
the machine tool industry. he
pointed out that the schools are
fully equipped now for instant ex-
pansion and that only increased ap-
propriations are needed to make
the plan operative.
Summer Sessions Planned.
President Roosevelt's request Fri
day for $22,590,000 to be used in
training defense workers contains
$l6,200,0 600 to permit opening of the
trade schools this summer. DR..
Studebaker, enthusiastic at the pos
sibilities presented by the schools,
declared it would make possible the
training Of 175,000 men and women
during q 10-week course at an
average cost OF el00 each. Students
would be trained 10 hours a week.
Extra shifts during the regular
school year would permit training
Of 225,000 students during 12-week
course at an estimated cost of ST.
100000. while expanded trade school
programs for employed workers
seeking higher technical training
could be provided for 375,00O during
q 36-week course at cost of $21,-
100000.
A $50.000,000 expansion Of exist
ing facilities would permit training
OF 250,000 more persons in 10 to
SO week courses.
Adapted to Local Needs.
Most important. he said, was the
experience gained by the schools in
past years In adapting training pro-
grams to industrial needs of the
community. Training policies
would be worked out in each State
through 1,343 local advisory COM
mittees on trade educations, rep
r resenting labor, management and
education. Most of the schools al
ready have working agreements with
local industries whereby students
receive some form of practical train
ing in the plants.
Engineering schools at univer-
sites have presented plans to train
10000 persons In 10-month courses
in supervisory functions, including
drafting, testing, radio, instrument
manufacturing, machine tool manu-
featuring, welding and other courses.
Many more could be given ere
fresher" courses, particularly en-
gineers who have been unable to
find employment for the last few
years.
Aside from the schools and uni
versities, the Labor Department will
receive funds to employ 80 regional
officers who would be in charge of
apprentice training.
C.. C. C. to Expand Training.
The c. c. G. is expected to receive
funds to increase its training CEN
ters. James j. McEntee, director,
asked the War Department yester-
day for several discarded tanks to
be used for training purposes in the
A motor vehicle centers where the
Corps repairs and maintains its A.
600 trucks, tractors, road graders
and other vehicles. These centers
may be expanded to provide more
facilities to enrollees than now
available. About $4,000 maintenance
mechanics are now being trained
fhnre in additinn To II n0n trl1ck