Learning bench work; one of these men in school 6 weeks; previous to coming here owned a butcher shop (Norton).
DETROIT STEEL PRODUCTS CO.
Detroit, Michigan
Some time ago it became necessary to increase the number of skilled mechanics in the steel spring business and a company in Detroit segregated a group of handymen under a skilled mechanic to see if they could acquire the necessary skill in a period less than three years which was then the admitted necessary time for complete apprenticeship. The plan had the assistance of a man trained in teaching methods but without large knowledge of the special business in hand. After four weeks’ training an operator was put on production work who equalled the average mechanic in this line of work and who in three months was leading the production of the shop. This initial success led to the establishment of schooling as the proper method of securing skilled help in this factory.
The elements most desirable in industrial training are:
1. Separation of the training department from production so as to avoid interference with production and also interference with the operators in training.
2. Supplying a full knowledge of the special business or trade through an instructor fully trained.
3. Supplying a full knowledge of teaching methods through an instructor who can act as a vehicle for the transfer of trade information in simple language to the new operators.
4. Application of the students’ time to learning one simple operation, preferably on a subdivided operation.