Evening star., 1940-07-19
27TradeC|asses
To Aid Defense
Given Approval
Nine Vocutions to Be
Taught 900 Troinees
In Public Schools

The Board of Education today ap-
proved establishment of q classes
In nine trades vital to national de-
tense to begin Monday for about
500 selected w. P. A. employees and
persons frcm public employment
service registers.
1t was the second special meeting
Of quorum of members this month
to expedite setting up of the Dis
trict's participation in the SIS OO0, 900
Federal vocational education pro-
gram for national defense.
Twelve classes were ordered set
up in the white schools and Is in the
colored schools with authorization
for 27 teachers and supervisor yet
to be appointed. The teachers will
be almost entirely from the day
school ranks. it was said.
The special sessions will last eight
hours a day, five days a week for
six weeks and the course material
was described as intensive.
500 Trainees Expected.
Assistant Supt. Lawson j.
Cantrell told the members w.
p. A. Administrator Paul Ed
wards had indicated full
quota of 500 prospective trainees.
The remaining 100 will come prob
ably from the District Employ
ment Service registers and possi-
bly, some from the National Youth
Administration.
1t was emphasized that the courses
were restricted to these selected
persons, although there may be
expansion later if it should prove
Necessary.
Extension courses may be offered
later at night to employed persons
as refresher material in the line in
which they are employed, Mr.. Can
tren said. Employment in the trade
which the course covers is a pre-
requisite to these courses if they
are established.
Glasses to Be Offered. =.
The classes will be offered in the
vocational schools and three senior
high schools. In the white divisions
there will be two classes in machine
shop. two in automobile shop, one in
electrical shop. one in sheet metal,
two in woodwork, one in electrical
Welding and one in acetylene weld
Ing and tow in drafting and blue
print reading. In the colored divi-
sions there will be one class in air.
craft maintenance and repair, two
IN machine shop, two in automobile
shop. two in electrical shop, two in
sheet metal, two in woodwork. one
in welding. two in drafting and
blue print reading and one in paint
shop.
Entire cost of the program will be
met with an $18,06750 allotment by
the Federal ONCE of Education to
the District from the $4,000, 900
appropriation.
The courses were adopted on
recommendation of the boards Ad-
visory Committee on Vocational
Education. Mr.. Cantrell told the
board the committee labor repre-
sentatives think the present size of
the program would meet the labor
shortage in the fields covered.
Two board members wanted to
know If union membership was a
prerequisite to enrolment in the
courses. Mr. Cantrell said it is
not. Employment is a prerequisite,
however, he pointed out in the pro-
posed extension night courses which
are yet to be set up.
Power Not to Use Up Funds,
School officials exercised care that
the power required for the operation
OF machines in the program would
not use up the 100000 appropriation
for heating, lighting and fuel. The
amount was considered inadequate
at the time it was appropriated for
the general school needs should q
severe winter develop
Meanwhile, the school business
offlce was drawing requisition of
supplies for the program. Mr..
Cantrell said materials probably
would be sought on 24-hour tele-
phone bids.
Mr.. Cantrell Immediately took up
the problem of appointing a super
visory officer, who will be a per diem
employe for the duration of the
courses.