The Harlem News

Re-employment and Training for Defense Industries
Butte, Sep. 30,(Special)—In line with congressional action as set forth in the 1941 ERA act, WPA is training needy persons in occupations essential to national defense industries. State WPA administrator Joseph E. Parker reported today. In Montana, 152 WPA employees are receiving training and 214 have completed training at centers in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, and Miles City.
Courses offered are sheet metal, Billings; automotive mechanics, Bozeman; arc and acetylene welding, Butte; machine shop practices, Great Falls; arc and acetylene welding, sheet metal, aviation mechanics, radio, machine shop practices, Helena; and automotive mechanics, arc and acetylene welding and drafting, Miles City.
Other proposed subjects for incorporation into defense training schools are courses for such helpers as boilermakers, shipwright, electrician, ship fitter and pipe fitter.
WPA employees are selected for training upon application by the WPA after reviewing the worker's record of employment and upon recommendations of project supervisors. After selection, workers are instructed to contact the county department of public welfare to secure a medical examination and the county office of the Montana State Employment service to secure an employment service referral form.
Training is usually completed in approximately three months, with a certificate of completion issued upon successful and final completion showing the hours of training completed.
Trainees are then transferred to national defense industries desiring skilled workmen. Many trainees are hired before their training is completed.
The National Defense Training project is sponsored by the Office of Production Management and co-sponsored by the United States Office of Education. The WPA furnishes funds for the payment of trainees, selected from their rolls, while they are attending vocational schools. Transportation for these trainees to the schools also is furnished by WPA.
Instructions in the schools, materials and other incidental expenses are paid for with funds of the Office of Education.
Further information may be obtained from the Division of Re-employment and Training, Butte.