346 AMERICAN SHIPYARD APPRENTICESHIPS, 



We do not attempt, in any of the plants of the General Electric Company, to maintain 

 a definite ratio of apprentices to journeymen in any trade, but the figures given in the report, 

 suggesting 20 to 25 per cent, seem high. This may be due to the difference in classification, 

 as we have comparatively few trades reported in the apprentice course compared to those 

 outlined in the report. We believe that special efforts should be made to retain graduate ap- 

 prentices in the employ, of the company and, if that is done consistently, it will cut down 

 the percentage an appreciable amount. 



We believe that a well-equipped training room gives an apprentice a better start in his 

 trade than he could obtain in the open shop under the supervision of a mechanic. At all 

 of the large plants of our company where apprentice courses are maintained we have train- 

 ing rooms which are fully equipped with all types of modern machinery. All apprentices 

 begin their work in these training divisions under competent supervision and are given thor- 

 ough instruction on machine operation in addition to their classroom work. The length of 

 time spent in the training room varies at the different plants but in general covers from nine 

 to twelve months. After the boy has demonstrated his ability he is placed in the shops, where 

 his training is completed. 



We heartily approve of the scholarship features and hope, eventually, to have something 

 similar in our own industry. There is a growing demand for technically trained men in the 

 shop, and we believe that a yoimg man who has been trained in the shop and then sent to 

 college for advanced training will prove a good investment. We have endeavored to em- 

 ploy students during their vacation periods, especially between their jimior and senior years, 

 with the idea of familiarizing them with our organization and the opportunities available in 

 the various lines of work. This, however, is in no way comparable with the full-time scholar- 

 ship arrangement. 



In addition to the apprentice course for the shop we have a student engineering course 

 for graduates of technical schools, selected by a representative of the company who visits 

 the various technical schools. 



' 1 ■ i ■ 



Mr. L. C. Brooks, Member: — In connection with Mr. Bailey's very excellent paper re- 

 garding the training of apprentices, I wish to emphasize the idea of cooperation between the 

 school and shop. 



In the year 1917 the A, S. M. E. devoted considerable time to the discussion of this 

 subject, especially as applying to machine shops. As large machine shops and shipyards 

 are somewhat parallel in their activities, no doubt the results of one would be helpful to 

 the other. 



I believe that the University of Cincinnati and the machine tool builders of that city 

 have carried out a scheme similar to that mentioned by Mr. Bailey as applying at Lynn, and 

 with very good results. 



The best workmen of a generation ago, both in this country and Europe, were appren- 

 tice graduates. The basic principle of those days was work. But today, as Mr. Peabody 

 stated, too many are looking for the dollar, and possibly trying to escape work. It is a 

 question whether this tendency can be overcome with the present generation. The offering 

 of rewards, etc., no doubt, will help a great deal. 



But I firmly believe that we must go farther back if we wish to have the boy in the 

 proper state of mind when we begin with him as an apprentice. We must begin with the 

 primary school. 



