286 State Papers and Addresses

needing vocational training and placement or some other service. The Voca-
tional Rehabilitation Service provides schools or trade training, artificial ap-
pliances, and other services of an educational nature.

ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM

Maryland was the first State to organize classes to train men 18 years
old or over in the essential defense industries. As soon as the Federal National
Defense Appropriation of $15, 000, 000 was made available on June 27, classes
were advertised. Some classes were actually in session on July 8.

All except five counties participated in this adult education program which
was financed in part by Federal Vocational Funds and in part by the new State
$10, 000 fund for night schools. Nearly 8, 000 white adults, taught by 274 in-
structors, took advantage of the opportunity for further education in vocational,
elementary, secondary, and general fields.

Twelve cities, including Baltimore, offered eight-week courses to 3, 328
workers. Many of these men received employment before completion of the
eight-week course, and most of those who did satisfactory work were placed
in jobs. The instructors employed were those qualified to teach in the regular
program of vocational education who had had sufficient trade experience to
prove they were masters of their craft, and additional instructors were brought
in from industry as needed.

At the conclusion of the eight-weeks' training period, the time originally
specified in the State plan, employment was still on the up-grade and need for
the continuation of the program was voiced by industries of the State.

During the month of September approximately 5, 000 youths were admitted
into national defense training courses of less than college level. These young
men were offered training in occupations which were found in the defense
industries and approved by the Advisory Commission to the Council of National
Defense.

The State Department of Education proceeded with all possible speed in
preparing plans for pre-employment and supplementary courses. These deal
with programs for out-of-school rural and non-rural youth and youth on NYA
Work Projects who are between the ages of 17 and 25.

Federal funds have been appropriated for the purchase of equipment in
establishing new training centers and to provide supplemental equipment for
existing school facilities where training programs are in operation.

The need for new workers has been so great that existing public school
facilities are inadequate. Consequently two special national defense training
schools will go into operation January 1, 1941. One of these, located at Hagers-
town, was erected under the supervision of the Board of Education of Washing-
ton County and is being equipped to accomodate about 400 students. The second
school, in Baltimore City, is being loaned by the Board of School Commissioners
and equipped to accomodate approximately 1, 400 students. Other centers may
organize classes in the near future when and if the need develops.

The facilities of the NYA centers have been offered for use in the ex-
tension of the program and those which are adequately equipped will be used
for general training. New centers are being constantly developed to train
workers needed by the industries to which additional defense contracts are
awarded. The program beginning this month should offer training to approx-
imately 10, 000 men in at least 16 counties of the State. All counties will partici-