§ Major Wyattasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to arrange for vocational training for men who have been prisoners of war for over two years and so cut off from current trends in their occupation, while they are waiting for release.
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§ Mr. LawsonCivil Resettlement units have been established to assist men to adjust themselves to the changed conditions, by means of lectures, films, discussions, visits to factories, farms and other activities. These units do not provide facilities for vocational training in the ordinary sense of the term. Such training is provided by the Ministry of Labour and National Service after release from the Army. They are, however, equipped with workshop facilities to enable the ex-prisoner of war to regain his former skill or, where he can no longer follow his pre-war occupation, try his hand at some new trade.
All ex-prisoners of war are eligible for civil resettlement courses within 12 months of the date of their repatriation, either before or after their release from the Army. The facilities of the Army Education Scheme are available to ex-prisoners of war posted to Army units. Instruction under this scheme is primarily general and pre-vocational, though a limited amount of vocational training in certain trades is given by arrangement with the Ministry of Labour and National Service.