MEX AND WOMEN IN ARMY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23944, 11 May 1943, Page 6

MEX AND WOMEN IN ARMY

COURSES AT TECHNICAL COLLEGE

To keep men and women in the Army in touch with the activities of civil life, a series of courses have been started at the Christchurch Technical College during the regular students’ vacation. This varied set of courses, which is part of the Army Education Scheme, is the first of its kind to be started in New Zealand, although in Wellington it has been possible to take a full-time course of five weeks in engineering and one or two other subjects. Three hundred men and women were expected to attend the course, but camp movements have prevented some from carrying out their intention, and at present there are 130 studying at the college, while a number of others may arrive within the next few days. The Technical College is the South Island centre for such courses, and men have come from as far away as Dunedin and Blenheim. All those attending the course have been set free from their military duties for two and a half weeks, and are billeted in camps near Christchurch. The subjects in which classes are hold arc:—Pharmacy, chemistry, fitting and turning, general woodwork, electric welding and electrical engineering, book-keeping and accountancy. There are two classes in gas welding. Attention is paid to the theoretical side as well as to the technical side; among other things mathematics, and drawing and theory in engineering subjects are taught. Each course comprises 13 school days of six hours a day. In all subjects, no prior knowledge is required; all that is asked for is interest in the work. Besides members of the Technical College staff who have given up their holidays to act as instructors, the Railway Department and the Public Works Department have co-operated in providing instructors in some subjects, and one city firm has given instruction to a welding class at its own premises. Twelve women have taken the opportunity to attend, and although other subjects are open to them, all are taking the course in dressmaking. Women had previously shown their interest in wool-classing, and it is thought that had there been a class It would have proved popular with the W.A.A.C.’s. It was, however, not possible to obtain an instructor in woolclassing.