Co‐operative training in the Sheffield forging industry

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give details of an operation carried out in Sheffield to increase the recruitment of young men into the steel forging industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The Sheffield Forges Co‐operative Training Scheme was designed to encourage boys to enter the forging industry and to provide them with training and education to become skilled and knowledgeable forgemen. The scheme would last two years, and the boys would spend three days per week at their recruiting company, one day per week receiving specialised training at a forging hammer at a separate site, and one day a week at the Sheffield College of Further Education, where he would take a general course including English, social studies, calculations, elementary science and metal work. The boys also studied the general section of the City and Guilds Iron and Steel Operatives' Course and the Forgings, Pressings and Stampings section of the course, in order to receive training specifically for employment on hammer forging.

Findings

This scheme shows recruits that a production job in forges can be interesting, and it can be one in which they progress. It gives them a status which had never before been present when entering forge work. Following the successful beginnings of this scheme, similar schemes are being investigated in melting shops and rolling mills.

Originality/value

The Sheffield Forges Co‐operative Training Scheme was created to solve recruitment and training problems in the forging industry.

Citation

Duncan, R. (2008), "Co‐operative training in the Sheffield forging industry", Education + Training, Vol. 50 No. 1, pp. 28-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910810855450