BUREAU OF APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING

The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training is the agency of the Department of Labor responsible for working with management and labor in the formulation of apprenticeship and on-the-job training. It is a promotion and service agency to encourage sound manpower practices in industry.

The activities of the Bureau during fiscal 1960 were carried on under a Director assisted by the Executive Director of Apprenticeship Service and the Executive Director of Technical Service. The first was concerned with the improvement and expansion of apprenticeship and the latter with other types of training and the development of the skills of Bureau employees.

The program of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training was conducted through 12 regional offices with representatives stationed in each of the 50 States. The Director had a combined staff, in Washington and the field, of 279 professional and 222 clerical employees.

The Bureau's resources were channeled through five major program areas. (See chart 1.) The first, national industry promotion, involved bringing national, State, and local units of industry together for the development of unified training efforts. Under this heading, a number of industry projects were under way. (See chart 2.) Other program areas concerned strengthening joint apprenticeship committees in the construction industry, community-level promotion, local industry promotion, and strengthening workers' technical knowledge. BAT worked with 157,500 industrial establishments, 221 national associations, and 77 international unions. It participated in 50 national conventions promoting apprenticeship, four multistate and five State apprenticeship conferences, and assisted national committees in conducting six trade apprenticeship contests.

A total of 3,129 individual apprenticeship programs were reviewed. Registration actions totaled 1,925, involving new programs, changes in programs, and cancellations. A total of 8,369 certificates were issued, including certificates of completion of apprenticeship and certificates of meritorious service honoring individuals or groups.

Major improvements were made in 1,394 apprenticeship and training programs. New apprenticeship programs were listed at 1,143 and training programs in nonapprenticeable occupations at 982. The field staff made 114,200 visits among 40,834 accounts, as well as 6,092 public appearances. These included speeches, film showings, radio and television presentations, and related methods of getting the apprenticeship and training story across. Over 530 presentations of "Manpower-Challenge of the 1960's" were made in less than 4 months.

Opportunities to observe training at all levels were provided to 176 foreign trainees from 25 countries. This was an increase of 19 percent over fiscal year 1959. A field representative served for 2 months as labor training representative at the U.S. exhibit at the International Trade Fair in Bombay, India.

Studies and Publications

Research studies were conducted in specific industries to determine training programs in operation, needs for training, and to recommend development of future training. Two were completed—“Apprenticeship and Training in the Contract Tool and Die Industry," T-150, November 1959; and “Apprenticeship and Training in the Aircraft Industry," June 1960.

Two additional studies were launched. The first consisted of a comprehensive inquiry in the masonry construction industry to compare the amount of available apprenticeship and journeyman training with the estimated amount needed to meet skill requirements. Information was submitted from 80 percent of 912 communities. The second study in construction carpentry covered labor markets in more than 1,000 communities. Each study was sponsored by major labor and management organizations involved in the trades.

Another study, "Manpower Requirements and Training Needs in Construction Occupations, 1960-70," resulted from the increase anticipated in building activity during the present decade and the importance of trained craftsmen in construction work. The summary indicated that present levels of apprenticeship training will provide about 10 percent of the additional journeymen needed in construction work by 1970.

Not enough is known of the actual amount of training sponsored in the Nation, especially short-term training for such groups as foremen, supervisors, sales staff, clerical and secretarial personnel, and new employees. A pilot project, “A Look at Industrial Training in Mercer County, New Jersey," was conducted, and a second study covered the remainder of New Jersey. During fiscal year 1961, a similar survey will be carried on, nationwide.

A joint investigation by BAT and the University of Pennsylvania into attitudes of workers and employers on employee development was considered. Answers would be obtained to such questions as employee demand for training, attitudes toward developing job skills and technical knowledge, and employer encouragement of worker participation by such motivating techniques as paying tuition costs and allowing training on company time.

Nine articles were researched, written, and placed in national publications, including The American Machinist, American Vocational Journal, Journal of the American Society of Training Directors, Journal of the National Association of Intergroup Relations Officials, National Business Woman, and The American Child.

Five new BAT publications were issued, bringing the total to 13. New publications were: "Careers in Apprenticeship," joint pamphlet with the Office of Education, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; "Everybody's Talk

ing About Trained Workers for the Future," joint pamphlet with the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor; three folders developed in cooperation with the National Coordinating Committee of the Construction Industry and entitled "Mr. Contractor-Skill Is the Cornerstone of the Construction Industry," "Mr. Journeyman-Here's How You Can Invest in Job Security," and "Mr. Union. Officer-Advanced Training for Journeymen Pays Dividends."

In addition, BAT provided 14 national apprenticeship and training standards, 6 of which were revised (for glaziers and glassworkers; stained glass; painting and decorating; cement, masonry, asphalt, and composition; carpentry; and the sheet metal industry).

It provided a new trade and industrial publication (“Apprenticeship Schedules for the Automotive Trades-No. 6") and three new research studies ("Manpower Requirements and Training Needs in Construction Occupations, 196070," "Apprenticeship and Training in the Contract Tool and Die Industry," and "A Look at Industrial Training in Mercer County, New Jersey"), bringing the total of such research studies to eight.

The Bureau also issued 18 reprints, 13 of which were from national publications, and, in addition, 7 individual reprints from the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" of the Department of Labor.

BAT exhibits were displayed on 10 occasions at State fairs and apprenticeship and training conferences and conventions.

BAT distributed 231,847 of its publications, an increase of 110,160 over fiscal year 1959.

Cooperation With Other Groups

A promotional and technical assistance program with management and labor was carried on in cooperation with State apprenticeship agencies. This resulted in establishing programs and improving existing programs in apprenticeable occupations, and included both apprenticeship and on-the-job training.

The close relationship with the States developed a better understanding of mutual aims and objectives in working toward the common goal-manpower development. It also meant a joint approach to industry that was more acceptable.

The Bureau collected, studied, and analyzed all available information regarding State apprenticeship agencies and their activities and maintained this material for staff use. BAT also served as a clearinghouse for information to the States and to the Federal Committee on Apprenticeship.

In addition, the Bureau:

Prepared training outlines for the Atomic Energy Commission.

Drafted a pamphlet to encourage training of dental laboratory prosthetic technicians for the Dental Laboratory Conference.

Provided implementation of a clerical training program for the Department of Agriculture.