WOMAN ENGINEERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 75, 26 February 1918, Page 2

WOMAN ENGINEERS.

SECOND EDITION Continued.

The "learned professions" have opened their doors wide for educated women, hut in the greatest industry of all—engineering—there are few opportunities, "Engineering" says, for the hopes of engineering students j reaching full fruition. The invasion of women into the munition factories has proved that their sex is no .disability to their prosecution of work of a highly-skilled nature, but many ladies who have gained an intimate knowledge of difficult and delicate operations look forward to the termination of the war as likely to put a final stop to their aspirations. One of the great captains of industry iu Scotland lias specially organised and equipped an engineering factory for the employment exclusively of educated women of good social standing and in contradistinction to .the woman factory worker, and with the fixed deter-

mination to carry on operations permanently under those conditions. The I work is managed by women, the head is a "Gh'ton girl," witn those characteristics which are desirable for guiding and stimulating the girl students to success. Indeed the factory has some of the salient features of a technical college, combined with practical work in the factory, which gives that stimulus to study not realisable in the laboratory of a college. The factory is situated in the south of Scotland, in what may be fitly called "God's country," because of the variety and beauty of the scenery, so that the students of botany and of wild life generally can have full opportunity for pursuing their hobby. The factory itself,* standing on the hillside, has glazou walls, so that there is an abundance of natural light and everything is done to make it attractive to the feminine eye and mind. All the accessories which are now placed under the wide term "welfare" have been adopted to the fullest extent, and all the, women sit down to fcheir meals in admirably arranged quarters. The lecture room at the works constitutes an important element in the organisation. There, at stated hours, highly-trained lecturers conduct classes which are compulsory for the students, and a regular curriculum has been arranged, so that the students of each grade become thoroughly conversant with the machines they are operating and with the work they are executing. The entrants to the works who may be of any age, although from 20 to 30 years are the preferable limits, receive during what is termed the probationary period 20s per week, but this period extends only for six weeks. They have then to decide whether or not they intend to pursue the engineering career. If such is the case, and they are considered suitable candidates, an! agreement is entered into, and the wages at once become 25s per week until the first technical examination. This examination is comparatively simple. to those who have entered the works with some knowledge of mechanics, have been punctual, careful and observant at their work,, and have applied themselves with diligence to the lectures. According to the quality of the work at the examination and the marks received in the factory, the student's wage will be increased by 5s per week. Each six months there are examinations for each grade of student. The examinations are graded, and each "pass" means an increase of ss. In addition to the lecturer there are instructors in the

shops, and, as soon as the student shows a proficiency in the .simpler machines or in the simpler operations she is at evee advanced to work of a more intricate and exacting character.