EXTENSIVE WORK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 250, 4 August 1941, Page 3

EXTENSIVE WORK.

EDUCATION FOR AIRMEN. THE PRELIMINARY CLASSES. . (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 2. Reviewing the Work of the Educational Services Branch of the Air Department, in providing pre-entry training for Royal New Zealand Air Force recruits, the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said to-day that since the educational services commenced in January, 1940, the branch had handled a total number of trainees reaching w*ell into five figures. Of those, more than 6000 had actually completed their preliminary educational course and reached the necessary preliminary air crew standard.

As various preliminary courses terminatte, the trainees both in the classes and those on correspondence, are tested to determine the standard reached. Illustrating the large number of men who have to be handled at such times, Mr Jones mentioned that 1072 pilots and observers and 419 gunners sat the examination held in June. All passed except approximately 9 per cent, of the pilots and observers, and 12 per cent, of the gunners. The corresponding numbers examined in July were G3O and 177. To handle the trainees, there were- now 76 educational classes and 92 signalling classes. For the preliminary signalling training, a booklet was recently completed giving the text of broadcast lessons, the effectiveness of which was remarkably increased thereby. Mr Jones said a beginning was also being made with, the preliminary preentry training for men selected as radio mechanics. The Minister added that the work of the educational services branch had been further enlarged by the establishment of an air training corps branch, which would handle the correspondence instruction of members of the corps outside the centres where units of the corps were being established.