CO129-626-3 Labour Department- report to Labour Commissioner 1-3-1951 - 30-6-1952 — Page 103

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354.

XXI.

TRAINING WITHIN INDUSTRY

No useful purpose would be served by going into details in this report in regard to this form of training as the Colonial Office has already circularised all Colonial Governments in regard to this matter. it to say that T.w.I. stands for Training Within Industry

Suffice for Supervisors.

355.

By Supervisors is meant those in immediate charge of workers. Job instruction which is part of T.W.1. helps a supervisor to pass on information about the skills of a job so that a learner learns correctly, safely, quickly and conscientiously.

356. Badly trained workers make mistakes, are more likely to get hurt, create waste or spoil material and are liable to damage valuable equipment. A well-trained worker is likely to make few of these errors. All workers can benefit by receiving skilful instruction about their jobs from their supervisors.

357. In this way learning a job becomes easier and the worker gains speedy confidence. That it is an effective method of training is clearly demonstrated by the number of large indus t rial undertakings which, in both the U.S.A. and Great Britian, encourage their supervisory staff to take this form of training. It is both simple and is based on plain common sense. The elements of staff manage- ment are not neglected in a course of training.

Nowadays

358. There would seem to be an urgent need for the training of foremen and supervisors in Hong Kong. the foreman or charge hand occupies a position of great and ever-increasing importance in industry. He is tho go-between the employer and the worker and the relation- ship of the worker with his employer depends largely on the way he is handled.

359. It is, I think, generally realised that the selection of foremen and charge hands on a basis of seniority. has serious defects. In this way it is pos- sible to lose a good worker and gain an indifferent super- visor. These defects, however, can be minimised by proper and enlightened training.

!360.

I consider that Training Within Industry should be introduced in Hong Kong and with this end in view it is recommended that a suitable officer should be required to attend a full T.W.I. course in England, On his return and with suitable staff he should be able to institute training classes which will more than justify any expenses incurred.

361. The officer selected should be one who is keen and enthusiastic and realises that increased efficiency in the workshops and the inculcation of the qualities of authority and ability to gain the confidence of the workers and to deal with any minor grievances with patience and justice in foremen and supervisors constitute a mission which is really worth while.