b) The people involved in these operations and activities c) The discussions we had on the work seen and the training programmes involved. A person's make up, i.e. his interests, abilities, values, goals and personality will allow him to respond positively or negatively to the variety of work situations we saw. This the lads have done in that they wrote out their impressions each day. The people we saw and the interpersonal relationships that make for good or bad business were, for me, the interesting factors. At Kew 1 was in the party led by a Mr Scott. He has been through all the operations involved in manufacturing the house-hold appliances and now is involved in management of the Quality Control section. He appears to have that essential quality of being able to relate well to others. Mr Denis Noel at the gold mine is a man who, with the minimum of fuss gets maximum co operation from all with whom he works. This man will always come to mind when I think of Durban Deep. We met Mr Morris at the Tractor company. He impressed upon the boys, as did Mr Snell at Barlow's Heavy Engineering, that there is still great merit in starting a career nearer the bottom than too near the top. Mr John Butler and Mr Roy Craddock were our hosts at Barlow Head Office. We saw several films that dealt with efficient use of time, the importance of people in business and the attitudes of employer and employee. The lads responded to Mr Butler's non-directive and yet well-organised approach. We discussed the challenge aspect of a career, the attitudes of people involved and objectives that are realistic and within reach. We heard that confidence stems from knowledge of, and training in, any occupation. At this point 1 will ask two questions. Accepting that confidence does stem from knowledge and training, is it fair to expect a lad to attempt a university degree course when his academic performance at school is only average or below average? Is it not also true to say that a person who has those qualities that will allow him to succeed in a job or career will do just that whatever the point of entry onto that career ladder? Lads who are academically inclined as well as hard working must be encouraged to further their academic studies at universities and find their place in society. Boys in this category can also consider gaining employment with a firm and then allow this firm to guide their training as well as pay for further studies! Please, parents, do not force extra years of pure academic study on your son if he is not able to cope in that environment. To work with confidence and then advance from that position using a firm foundation of experience surely makes for a happier working life. We at Kearsney are most grateful to Mr Commins, who initiated the trip, and to Barlow Rand for their hospitality. I do hope that this visit leads to a Kearsney boy bearing some fruit for Barlows in the future. BARRY WILLIAMS Counsellor 19
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