TECHNICAL TRAINING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 84, 23 June 1944, Page 4

TECHNICAL TRAINING

PROVIDING a sufficient number of students can be enrolled for each class, Whakatane will pioneer the Bay of Plenty, by the inauguration of a special series of technical courses, which it is hoped will be commenced early next month. The scheme» will be run under the auspices of the Education Department but will be conducted by local instructors and a special committee. This news will be hailed with enthusiasm by those who desire to gain a knowledge of electrical or motor engineering and other subjects which will be handled. The courses are not limited to youth—businessmen, farmers, labourers-in short, any who feel that they could improve their knowledge to advantage in this mechanical age should not miss the opportunity of joining up, for the scheme is designed to improve the general knowledge of the community. What gave rise to the idea! It emanated from the local Motor Traders Association, who in turn acted through the Chamber of Commerce. The matter was brought to the notice of the School Committee and enthusiastically followed up by that body. After a conference with Mr Shoreland, Supervisor of Manual and Technical Education, a meeting of all interested parties took place last Tuesday evening when details of the subjects, engineering, trade drawing, mathematics etc., and all other aspects of the scheme were discussed. Mr I. Hubbard the local Supervisor will be accepting applications from prospective students up till Friday, June 30. In considering the courses those interested are asked to bear in mind, that the instructors will be local experts who are fully conversant with their work and in constant touch with it. Their endeavour will be to impart their knowledge for the benefit of students of all ages. Practical engineer ing is an invaluable stand-by to-day, and will be more so to-morrow, when the machine will be reintroduced into every conceivable avenue of human activity. Every farmer who has a practical insight into the mechanical construction of tractors, cars or lorries, will save himself hundreds of pounds over a given term. How many motorists of all callings understand even the rudimentary running of their cars. A working knowledge would be invaluable. Here is the opportunity to learn at evening classes which will be held once weekly in a local garage. It is desirable for those contemplating taking full advantage of the classes to enter with the determination of remaining a student until the course is completed. The Education Board which is financing the management and instruction requires a guaranteed attendance of a maximum number of pupils before it will establish a course. Further information may be obtained from the Supervisor, Mr Hubbard, or through the Chamber of Commerce which has sponsored this progressive movement for the spreading of mechanical knowledge to meet the demands of the postwar period.