Springburn Virtual Museum

Railway industry

North British Locomotive Company apprenticeship certificate, Aug 1920

The decline of heavy industry, with its large employers and craft tradition, brought the decline of apprenticeship. Before then, a man could expect to stay in the one job until he retired. Fathers advised sons to 'get a trade, son - it's a job for life'. On the back of this certificate is a handwritten note: "Welfare Supervisor's Report: This is to certify that in timekeeping, work record & general conduct, the bearer has borne a good record."

The change in technology in recent times has in some cases required complete retraining, as for instance in the use of computers. This would have been unthinkable at the time this certificate was issued, because once trained, a man expected to use the same skills throughout his working life.

Springburn's railway manufacturers proved to be too inflexible and 'steam-minded', and failed to develop the new diesel-hydraulic or electric technology in time to compete with younger foreign industries.

Source: Glasgow City Archives