740.00111A Recruiting/212
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Memorandum
A large number of technicians are required for the war effort of the British Empire. Civilian technicians are required in order to release men for service with the forces. In addition, the services require technicians of every description and especially a large number of radio technicians, mainly of the radio service-man type who are wanted to maintain radio detection equipment.
In order to help satisfy this need, it is intended to set up in Canada technical training centres. At these centres technicians with a certain amount of experience would receive further training in order to equip them for the occupation for which they are particularly suited by their qualifications. While there is a certain amount of material available in Canada, the main supply is to be obtained from the United States. For this purpose agencies of these technical centres will be set up in the principal cities of the United States.
These agencies will be centres of information as to the opportunities for employment of technicians in the British Empire, both civilian and service; e. g. radio operators of the Merchant Marine, radio engineers in the broadcasting companies, radio service-men, operatives in industry and radio mechanics in the services. Applicants for employment will be asked to give details of their qualifications, health, and it is intended that collaboration with the Federal Security Agencies [Page 382] shall be maintained to prevent the employment of any undesirable individuals.
Applicants whose qualifications appear to fit them for training for employment in the categories needed will be paid their transportation to the nearest Canadian training centre where they will undergo a course in the specialized technique suited to them.
At the end of their training they will be free to choose either to go into any of the services mentioned or not to enter any of them. If they wish to enter any of the civilian services, opportunities will be opened along the lines of their training and capacities. If they wish to enter technical branches of the military service, their applications will be considered at that time. In short, the purpose of the plan is to provide in Canada a reservoir of technicians who may, after training, enter any one of a number of posts, civilian or military, in which their services can be utilized.