The Air Ministry has recently instituted a new schente to secure the entry of well-educated boys for a systematic course of training as skilled craftsmen for service with the Royal Air Force.
Under this scheme boys will be entered between the ages of 15 and 16 years for a period of 10 years' colour service, followed by two years' service in the Reserve. During the first three years they will undergo a course of educational and workshop training at the end of which those who have passed the requisite tests will be promoted forthwith to the rank of leading aircraftsman in one or other of the skilled trades, To give scope to the more capable and ambitious boys, and to ensure that the Air Force shall secure the full benefit of their ability, a certain number of those who show most, promise during their training will be chosen for an additional six months' course of higher instruetion, being promoted at once to the rank of corporal. From among these some. may be selected for the grant of a commission, and will proceed to the Cadet College for training as flying officers, with the cadets entered by open competition.
There will also be opportunities for promotion to a commission at a later stage to those who show their suitability during their service in the ranks.
The scheme which forms the subject of this communique constitutes an entire departure from the methods imposed by war conditions, and is designed to meet the requi ments of the R.A.F. as organized on a permanent basis.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.