Made presentations on training older workers and on occupational safety through shop training for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Reviewed programs of apprenticeship for the Veterans' Administration. Served as liaison with Selective Service in the deferment of apprentices. Worked with the Army Ordnance Corps in drafting an apprenticeship program. Cooperated with the National League for Nursing in developing a hospital employee training program for hospital members of the American Hospital Association. Worked with Humble Oil Co. in developing a training program. Prepared a paper for the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, comparing the present apprenticeship program with that existing from 1934 to date. Reviewed a manual for the National Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Committee for the Construction Industry. Prepared a report on the status of apprentices in the machinist trade for the International Association of Machinists. Prepared a manual on selection of apprentices for the National Joint Apprenticeship Committee for the Pipe Trades. Other Activities There were substantial increases in apprenticeship and training funds and in the employment of local apprenticeship and training directors or coordinators after passage of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959. This law amended section 302 of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 and expressly authorized joint labor-management administration of funds for apprenticeship and training to which employers contributed. Clarification of the legal status stimulated considerable action to improve apprenticeship and training programs by employment of supervisors and other needed staff. This was especially true in the construction industry, where in some instances 100 or more apprentices were employed by different contractors under a program supervised by a joint apprenticeship committee. The electrical industry reported employment of 46 full-time local apprenticeship and training directors. The iron workers' trade alone developed 34 local apprenticeship and training funds. The Associated General Contractors of America, Inc., sent its membership suggested forms and an agreement clause for use in setting up a program for financing apprenticeship and training through employer contributions or joint contributions by contractors and labor unions. Training Materials Centers Training Materials Centers were established in St. Louis, Mo., and San Francisco, Calif. Centers are now operating in seven major cities. They are located in public libraries and include manuals, complete training programs, apprentice work schedules, trade theory, and tests, contributed by the Depart ment of Defense and private industry. Training in Prisons Training in prisons was largely in the area of other-than apprenticeship or in preapprenticeship. The Bureau worked primarily with Federal prison institutions but will include State institutions as time permits. The McNeil Island Prison, near Tacoma, Wash., worked out an arrangement with the Joint Apprenticeship Committee in the area for recognition of experience gained in prison as credit in apprenticeship programs. A similar arrangement was in effect with some Federal and State institutions in California. The Chillicothe (Ohio) Reformatory had a program under which the State Council certified experience and training received in that institution for credit in an apprenticeship. BAT provided technical assistance to a large number of State and Federal prison institutions which included specimen schedules of processes for various trades. In addition to giving technical assistance to prison training staffs and aiding in obtaining recognition for preapprenticeship experience, the Bureau advised placement officers on job opportunities and working conditions in their areas. Vocational Education Working relationships with vocational education groups were strengthened through three meetings of the Joint American Vocational Association-Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training Committee. This regular contact resulted in mutual assistance in respective projects. In December 1959, the Secretary of Labor made the principal address at the AVA convention banquet. The Bureau Director appeared at the session on apprenticeship and met with the executive committee and discussed respective programs and problems. Defense Mobilization A mobilization specialist was appointed full time to work out a pilot program to demonstrate what contribution BAT, the Training Division of the Office of Emergency Manpower Administration, could make in event of a national emergency. A pilot program, developed in Allentown, Pa., will be extended to other cities, and a manual will be drafted in conjunction with it. Three officials participated in Operation Alert 1960 at the Office of Civilian Defense Mobilization relocation site. During 1960, the function of utilization was separated from others carried on by BAT, and the Executive Director of Technical Service was assigned to head the Division of Utilization in the Office of Emergency Manpower Administration. Employee Development Continuing and increased efforts were devoted to the training of BAT employees to enable them to serve as consultants in promoting manpower develop ment. Results were evident in the increased confidence and ability of field representatives. One or more training conferences were conducted in each region as well as at State and local levels. "Personalized Approach to Employee Development," "Staff Training Plan," and "Clerical Training Program" were prepared for BAT personnel. BAT personnel attended a number of training sessions such as a manpower audit seminar, institutes of the American Society of Training Directors, the U.S. Department of Agriculture executive seminar, and a management improvement conference. |