General Electric History: The Shop Apprenticeship System for Boys - Blacksmith Course

[This is taken from pp. 25-26 of The Shop Apprenticeship System for Boys, a 52-page booklet published in 1917. Photographs are presented at original and 4x enlarged size.]

[Blacksmith Shop for General Work - 1x | 4x]

SHOP WORK FOR BLACKSMITHS

The trade of blacksmith is an important one, as there are very few machine shops where one or more good blacksmiths are not needed for forging and tempering tools, and forging pieces needed in the upkeep of machinery or for new machines.

While the art of drop forging has taken the place of the old method of forging to a large extent in producing forged pieces, there remains much to be done where the size or the quantity to be produced would not justify the expense necessary to produce in any other way than the one commonly used by the skilled blacksmiths.

The Blacksmiths' Course covers a period of four years. Each year consisting of 253 hours. The entire four years are spent in the Blacksmiths' Shop where a thorough knowledge of metals, their characteristics, and proper treatment in forging, welding, and tempering is secured.

[Section of Drop Forge Shop - 1x | 4x]

COMPENSATION FOR BLACKSMITHS DURING APPRENTICESHIP

First year    11c. per hour
Second year   13 1/4c. per hour
Third year    15 1/2c. per hour
Fourth year   18c. per hour

The same conditions governing special premiums will apply to blacksmith apprentices as for machinists. See page 11. On successfully completing the four-year course a certificate and cash bonus of $100 are given.

Only a limited number of applicants are given the opportunity to take this line of training with the General Electric Company.

[Here the booklet is stamped with:]

During the continuation of the war the rates per hour will be
1st yr. 17c. 2nd yr. 19c. 3rd yr. 21 1/2c. 4th yr. 26 1/2c.

Updated 6/25/01

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