Education and the Employee

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 182, 29 April 1933, Page 16

Education and the Employee

q|> y ] 01)g time Hie Under-Ground Group of Companies have been directly or indirectly providing educational facilities for the staff, “4 largely free of cost, to those who could avail themselves of them. J. The result has not been satisfactory. That which costs nothing is often worth nothing to the recipient. Excuses for non-attendance have been easily framed and lightly accepted. “I have come to the conclusion that in a sense a sacrifice is essential to make sure that educational facilities are real and appreciated, so I have it iu mind to withdraw all arrangements which had for their object the provision of educational facilities free. I am not in favour of subsidising education, and that is what it conies to. “How then arc we prepared to recognise the cost in time, in money, in effort, which education represents to the unaided student? There must be some tangible benefit. "In my own view the educational standard of a member of Hie staff should be reflected in his rate of pay. For instance, on their appointment we expect what is known as matriculation standard from our clerks, though we are now invited to criticise that’and to make it much more flexible than it is. “If our candidate should have exceeded a matriculation standard and reached an intermediate standard in some approved course of study, should not

this be reflected iu some higher rate of starting pay, say, an increment of £lO above the usual rate? "Or if our candidate should have become a graduate under some approved course of study, might, he not expect and rightly receive an increment of £25 above (be normal starting rate, and if tills higher education has delayed his start should lie not also receive what is called weight for age in the appropriate scale? "Again, if an already existing member of Hie staff will take the pains and incur the expense of qualifying himself by further education, should he not likewise find that, his efforts being successful, lie, too, receives advances of £lO or £25. as Hie case may lie. as a reward I For Honours a still fuitlioi advance might be contemplated. The Institute of Transport recognises these various stages in its membership—student, graduate, associate, and with riper experience, full membership. Should not transport undertakings do likewise?’■ "It is interesting to note,” says "Modern Transport, ‘that Mi. I leks suggestion has already been adopted by the Glasgow Corporation and the administrations governing the Port, of Bristol and the Aire and ( alder Navigation. Official recognition of this nature incurs but slight expense, and is of the greatest encouragement to Hie employee.”—Mr. Frank Pick. LL.B., Managing Director. London Underground Group of Companies, in a paper read at Hie Institute of Transport.