The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-10-01
Labor News From Britdin

tee set up by the Minister Of Labor and
the Minister of Fuel and Power which
has been studying the problem Of juve
nile recruitment for the mining indus
try taking a somewh hat similar view,
and making similar proposals. The
Committee recommends in the first
place, that all juvenile entrants to the
mining industry Should undergo a
period Of training during working
hours. AS trainees they should be paid
the appropriate rate Of wages pro-
vided for young workers in the indus
try.
Demonstrations For Trainees
Not less than sixteen weeks should
'be devoted to this initial training Of
young mine workers. Eight weeks, the
Committee suggests, should be taken
for purposes Of general instruction at
suitable centers, either at the head
quarters of a cOlliery or group of col
lieries, or at a convenient mining
school or institute; and during these
eight weeks, the trainees should have
practical demonstration of cOalmining
processes at a productive under
ground gallery in mines specially set
apart for the purpose. The second eight
weeks should be Spent in practical
work in an actual production union,
which is to be reserved and worked for
training purposes at the pit or group
of pits in which the trainee is EN-
ployed.
BY the time this period of initial
training is over the young worker will
nave reached the age ut which youths
are allowed to work ut the coal face.
The Committee then proposes that
there shall be further period of
training. extending over not less than
six months, and covering all coal face
sponsible for training the young re-
cruits to mining should be drawn from
the men actually doing each class of
work themselves. These instructors
would be expected to report upon the
progress of the boys under their in
struction, and the youths best qualified
to undergo specialized training for
responsible positions in the colliery in
Guiding managerial posts should be
selected on the advice of these inStruc-
tors.
Apprentice Scheme In Operation
There is actually in operation at one
!, very large Northumberland colliery a
scheme of training for working boys
between the ages of lG and IS who
enter the pit with special recommends
tionS from their school masters for
training as coliery officials and mines
managers. The boys have to take their
turn at the coal face as hewerS, and
learn all the job of cutting coal, stand
ing coal, standing timber and driving
, headings. They are practically in the
position of mining apprentices, but re-
ceiving the wages of boy clerks in col
liery Offices
An important aspect Of the TUG,
proposals for educational reform con
Germs the training of teachers for their
y jobs. Among other things the TC.C
recommends is a much wider system
of State scholarships to enable young
. people to 60 step by step from the
b. training colleges to the universities
!. And the interesting suggestion is made
that the State should make some pro,
vision enabling selected students to &C
= to universities in the DOminiOns and
the United States to complete thel
, vocational training. Throughout the
TUG Report stress is laid upon the
!. necessity of the educational system
: being directed in all its stages to the
making of useful citizens of Il free
democracy.