The Apprentice School - Binnacle Yearbook (Newport News, VA)

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Original group oj Apprentice Instructors, 1950 Located within the plant, and serving as an integral part of apprentice training tor the Company, the Apprentice School has an en- rollment of more than 850 students. It is not connected in any way with the Navy or other governmental agencies; it is operated entirely by the Company. The first person to complete his apprentice- ship with this Company was Norwood Jones, who received his certificate as a machinist on April 4, 1894. Since then many capable craftsmen have been graduated and are hold- ing responsible positions in this and other companies. In the early days, apprentices received their training the best way they could by watching the master craftsmen at work. It a boy was placed with a man who would take an interest Workmen tearing sluggard. — World War I

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HISTORICAL SKETCH A igkl school class in mathematics , 1914 — G. Guy J ' ia, Instructor APPRENTICESHIP training was first X A rec0 g n j zec { by an ac £ Q f the English Par- liament in the year 1283, and from that recog- nition we have today a system bv which the many arts and trades are preserved and passed from one generation to another, each adding new developments and more practical and efficient methods for improving the working conditions, thereby turning out better work and more competent craftsmen. It is this system that has been instrumental in vaulting the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company to the heights of efficiency and dependability. Niels Christiansen Late Superintendent oj Machinery Installation, and enthusiastic supporter oj all Apprentice activities — for whom the Christiansen award was named For many years industrial organizations have endeavored to tram their employees through apprenticeships, supplementing work in the shops or mills with classroom work either within the plant or through co-operation with local schools. By thus combining actual experience with associated trade knowledge, the best type of vocational training is possible. This type of training was introduced in the local shipyard some fifty years ago, and as a result, hundreds of skilled craftsmen in many different industries throughout our country look back on the training received in this Apprentice School as the foundation on which they have built successful careers. First jormal graduating class oj 1957 • 9 •

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in him and help him along, he was indeed fortunate, as many of the mechanics were reluctant to pass on to an apprentice any real knowledge known as “trade secrets.’’ This early training was supplanted by academic work in night schools for which the apprentice received no pay, but in 1912a day school was organized within the bounds of the Company, and by 1925 the apprentice was under full time instruction both in the shops and in the classrooms. When Mr. Iiomer L. Ferguson took over the general management of the Shipyard, he realized that the best mechanics were growing old. He realized that it takes craftsmen to build good ships, and if these craftsmen were not available, it was necessary to train them; therefore he searched for a better way of training men. He found an answer to his problem in a young engineer who had had previous admin- istrative training in the secondary schools of Virginia, G. Guy Via, the present Supervisor of Training. Mr. Via in turn sought the counsel and backing of other men, chief among whom were Charles F. Bailey, then Engineer- ing Director, and Edward J. Robeson, Jr., Personnel Manager. With only an educational compass and Ins destination in mind, he began the tedious procedure of plotting a course of training which would take into consideration everything necessary in the planning and building ol good ships. Approximately fifty first-class mechanics taken from this enterprise were employed as instructors to train these young men in every phase of their vocation, each instructor keep- ing his own record of the individual and noting any special talent or qualifications he might have. Many times it is found that a student will make a good supervisor because of his complete understanding of the work, but, lacking in muscular co-ordination, he would undoubtedly be a failure as a mechanic. Seventeen trades are offered in the Appren- tice School, namely : Anglesmith, Blacksmith, Boilermaker, Coppersmith, Electrician, Joiner, Machinist, Millwright, Molder, Painter and Decorator, Patternmaker, Plumber, Ship Rig- ger, Sheet Metal, Ship Carpenter, Ship Fitter, and Shipwright. Each of these courses is ol four years’ duration, and the training given is intended to cover thoroughly every phase of the craft. .Mechanical Drawing Class, Apprentice School — 1927 Apprentice Drawing Room under S. I . .McFall, I . II a her, and F. Zelle — 1958