Evening star., 1942-09-13
-Four Universities
Here Give Traininq
Courses for War Work
U. S. Pays Tuition;
Women Attend Glasses
In Increasing Rotio


tivities have been instituted by four
Washington universities in cooper
alton with the United States Office
of Education
Covering the fields of engineering
chemistry, physics and production
supervision, the courses are de-
signed to prepare qualified persons
for active participation in the war
effort, according to Dean George w
Case, director of the programs. Cost
of tuition is borne by the Federal
Government, the only expense of
the trainee being books, materials
| and subsistence. The courses usually
cover II or 16 weeks, but individual
| training may range from 80 or 40
hours, for those employed who wish
to advance themselves by specialized
training, to as high as 600 hours for
unemployed qualified persons.
At present there are 200 colleges
and universities throughout the
country which offer the training.
District universities participating in
the Federal program include Cath
ollc, George Washington, Howard
and Maryland, which holds classes
at the Capital Radio Institute here,
particularly to train those who plan
to enter the Signal Corps, in either
civilian or military capacities.
100000 Trained So Far.
More than 100000 persons have
been trained since the program was
begun in October, 1910, with a con-
Sistent increase of enrolment each
year. BY far the largest enrolment
has been in engineering courses, it
was reported.
A significant trend has been in the
increased number of women partic-
ipating in the courses. In the 1940-
1941 school year only 811 women
were enrolled, but records of the last
year reveal an enrolment of about
$4,000 women. or about 5 per cent
of the total, The highest percentage
OF women are found among those
training as engineering assistants.
chemical laboratory workers, man
agement of subdepartments, per-
sonnel work and safety work.
According to a War Manpower
Commission spokesman, the part
women will play in the war effort
is becoming increasingly evident.
Women in war industries should
be looked upon not as a problem
but as solution" he declared.
Prerequisites prescribed by the
Federal Government for entrance to
the courses demand at least a high
school education, with correspond
ingly higher education needed for
more specialized courses. REQUIRE
ment decisions are left largely to
the individual universities, it was
said. AS much authority as possible
also has been left individual uni
verslties for the choice and institu-
ton OF courses most needed in their
respective sections of the country.
Draft Deferment Not Sought.
1t was emphasized by the Office of
Education that draft deferment for
trainees is not sought, but the mat
ter of induction is left to the Selec-
tive Service draft boards. No college
credit, but certificates of attainment
are presented upon completion of
training in the courses. There is
also no guarantee of employment or
advancement upon completion of
training, but courses are chosen in
fields where the greatest manpower
shortages are shown.
An appropriation of Approximately
100000 was made by the Federal
Government for carrying out the
program in 1910. In 1941. the fund
was raised to $40, 100000, and for the
year 1942-1943 has been increased
to about $4,000, 900, it was reported.
Application for entrance to the
courses should be made through
local universities.
AT George Washington University.
Prof. Frank A. Hitchcock, director
OF the extension" program, said
that since the courses were started
in December, 1910, more than $500
trainees have been enrolled.
About 10 per cent of the trainees
are women" Prof. Hitchcock esti-
mated, He said they choose par
tlcularly courses in general engineer
ing, drawing, examination for flaws
in metal, topography and radio,
which has become increasingly pop-
ular. He also estimated that about
10 per cent of those completing the
courses have received promotions or
better positions.