Technical Education.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 8, 1 June 1906, Page 203

Technical Education.

The problem as to the future of advanced students in chemistry and mechanical and electrical engineering was brought forward recently on the occasion of the distribution of prizes at the Birmingham Municipal Technical School. It was asked what manufacturers are prepared to do for the students when they have been well trained in theory and to some extent in practice, and are becoming qualified as expert assistants. Prof. W. A. Tilden, who raised the question m the course of a lengthy address, stated that an American chemical manufacturer had mfomed him that young men who had learned theoretical, and a certain amount of practical, work received a commencing salary of £120 per annum on being taken into the works, while the pay is yearly m correspondmg positions in Germany. The young men, the professor added, are engaged m the first instance to learn the business, and the pay given to them is really a maintenance allowance which enables them to continue learning the business in which they are afterwards to render valuable service. This principle, in the opinion of Dr. Tilden, will have to be recognised in England, and employers are recommended to make it of advantage to assistants to study the works and learn the processes in use with a view to mutual progress and improvement, The question raised by the Professor is certainly a wide one — one which may induce large firms to give the matter more consideration. But at the same time, employers can scarcely be expected to agree at once with the suggestion as to the amount of the initial salary of assistants. The assistants have to feel their way about the works, and considerable tune is necessary in order to allow of their becoming familiar with practical work as carried out in industrial works. Surely it is too much to ask manufacturers to pay between fifty and sixty shillings weekly during the period of initiation and prior to ascertaining whether the assistants are likely to be of any practical value. Those who show indications of progress, energy and initiative will be encouraged by employers and advanced, but it would be impossible to lay down a hard-and-fast rule to apply to each individual. We feel sure that employers in general will not be lacking in promoting the interests of tried and proved assistants but the latter will first of all have to understand the works. The first rung has to be stepped upon before the top of the ladder can be reached in every branch of industry, but everyone cannot expect to attain the summit.