Aspects of the mathematical standards of some 16+ school leavers in Gwent hoping to enter the engineering industry at craft and technician level and those of a sample of teachers

The dissertation begins with a case study of the entrance examination for Craft and Technician Apprenticeships at a nationally known local firm. A critical examination was made of the selection test and a report, to the training officer concerned, is included. The arithmetic ability of some who failed the test was compared with that of some who passed. The errors made by the candidates were scrutinised to see if a pattern would emerge, and which might add to that which was already known about errors made by the 16+ school leaver entering industry. The training officer was interviewed and, in the light of his professed requirements, a different kind of examination was proposed. [Continues.]