SERVING INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 20

SERVING INDUSTRY

TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIPLOMA COURSE ADVOCATED LESSONS FROM AUSTRALIA The introduction of a diplomat course in technology at the Seddou Memorial Technical College, to enable prospective teachers of science and mathematics to gain a wider and more applied knowledge of the problems of industry, was advocated by Mr. E. S. Closs, head of the engineering and trades department, and chief supervisor of the evening school at the college, in an address last night. Mr. Closs recently returned from Australia, where he visited ten technical schools in Melbourne, Sydney and Bx-isbane.

Detailing his Melbourne investigations, Mr. Closs remarked upon the universal acceptance of technical college diplomas by leading industrialists when making administrative appointments, college trainees being found everywhere. The placing of students in positions was in the hands of the heads of the various departments, who visited industrial concerns each week, and kept in touch with employment requirements. It was found essential for this work to be dono by those who had actual experience in the trade concerned. Advisory committees were everywhere in evidence, and technical authorities stated that their assistance had been of material value to the colleges. Advocating the introduction of a

technological diploma course, Mr. Closs said teachers who secured this training would be of great value in technical education, and they would possess an understanding of the needs in technical work which the present graduates were naturally unable to obtain. "The Sydney College exercises control over the standard of instruction and necessary equipment in technical colleges throughout New South Wales, and the high standard and efficiency of the system is admirable," Mr. Closs continued. "An interesting experiment has been made by taking skilled craftsmen from industry, paying them a salary above that which they would receive in their industrial occupation, and giving them six months' instruction in a training college in teaching technique. The result was quite successful."

Mr. Closs added that the policy in all three States was that technical education existed to serve industry, and the working of the system was efficient and thorough.