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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 4 (August 24, 1926)

Training Apprentices

page 27

Training Apprentices

In concluding this series of articles I feel that I am expressing the opinion of every Railway mechanic in the Dominion, when I say that we all fully recognise the importance of the Department's scheme of education, and are fully aware that no effort should be lacking on our part to make it a success.

Apprentices have now an obligation to fulfil. This can best be done by taking full advantage of the opportunity afforded them; by paying strict attention to their studies, and by willing obedience to their instructors. They should not think that because they are being trained and schooled by the Department they can give up their night studies and Technical School training. This extra training should spur them on to study harder in order to become efficient railwaymen. The average apprentice figures that there is no use in studying, as he will be a mechanic in five years. This is a wrong impression to take, as something more is needed to fit them for the higher positions in the service which will surely be theirs provided they are efficient and qualified to fill them.

Their ambition should be to reach the top, and not sit idle and let the last boy beat them. They should make up their minds to succeed. For, if they don't, they will be hopelessly left. From now on, and more especially in the initial stages of the apprentice instruction, all our tradesmen will be required to materially assist us by instructing the boys to the best of their ability. Tradesmen should not hesitate to answer the boys' questions, show and tell them the names of all tools, say what they are for, and explain how to use them; encourage them to work, but avoid harassing them. Be firm but kind. If they do this the boys will respect them, do honour to their trade, and become a credit to the shop in which they were trained.

The trade should not be looked upon as a sort of secret society. I can well remember, as a boy, when an engine was ready for setting slide valves,—which was then considered a trick of the trade,—we were always sent to do some work a considerable distance away. This I could never understand, for we were there to learn our trade, not to scratch for it like a fowl does for her chickens. However, it is pleasing to know that for some years past this practice has gradually died away, and rightly so. I have read numerous articles on apprentice training as carried out on American, Canadian and English Railways, and I am more than ever convinced that the need of this training was never more felt on our Railways than it is to-day. Every effort should be made to see that each apprentice is given a full opportunity and variety of experience in all the work of his trade, both practically and educationally, so that upon completion of his apprenticeship he will be a skilled all round mechanic. In conclusion I must congratulate those who are directly and indirectly responsible for having brought to a successful issue the training of our apprentices. I feel sure that the result of their labours will repay them handsomely in a very few years.

To the apprentices I would quote the words of Nixon Waterman:

The world will buy largely of anyone who Can deliver the goods;

It is ready and eager to barter if you Can deliver the goods.

But don't take its order and make out the bill

Unless you are sure you'll be able to fill

Your contract, because it won't pay you until

You deliver the goods.

Mr. G. B. Beere, who occupied the position of Yard-Foreman at Auckland for the past fifteen years, was met by a gathering of the staff at the Auckland Goods office recently, and presented with a case of pipes, a tobacco pouch (and a marble clock for Mrs Beere), to mark the occasion of his retirement from the Service on Superannuation. Mr. T. Robinson, who made the presentation, spoke of his many years association with Mr. Beere, who was a much respected and popular officer. Mr. V. McGaffan spoke on behalf of the Shunting Staff and paid a tribute to the sterling qualities which characterised Mr. Beere in all their dealings with him. Mr. Beere feelingly thanked the donors for the gifts, and for the spirit which prompted them. He assured all present that he would always retain the happiest memories of his association with the Auckland Railway staff.

* * *

We are so inclined to fall in with what is thoroughly commonplace, and our heart and mind become so readily callous to the beautiful and perfect, that we should do all we possibly can to preserve our susceptibility to higher influences.—Goethe.