Training Index

Technical Studies & Training ...
	In the GPO and later the Post Office and BT, on the job training and vocational courses were an important part of the learning process for new recruits into the organisation. Trainee Technicians (Apprentices) were a prime example of candidates for places at a training school... "For young men with technical interests, the Post Office offers excellent career opportunities. Trainee Technician (Apprentices) are recruited primarily to become highly skilled Technical Officers at an early age, able to deal with the changing technical requirements of their jobs throughout their careers."
There a follows a short description of each centre; more will be added in time...

Stone

A residential Central Training School was established in Stone, Staffordshire, for specialised aspects of engineering training. It opened on 30th September 1946, offering just two courses in auto exchange work.

History

Stone has its origins in the ATS (Automatic Training School) which began in 1924 in the King Edward Building in London. By 1934 the school had moved to the Post Office Research Station at Dollis Hill. Training was suspended on the outbreak of war. After World War II, there was a need for training the many new engineers, who were needed, as the telephone network began to expand. Regional Training Centres (RTCs), such as those at Bletchley, fulfilled a part of the learning requirements for new apprentices. However, it was thought that a Central Training School (CTS) would better be able to meet the needs of a larger number of students, for the specialised instruction of engineering work.

Early Days

The CTS was developed close to Yarnfield, a village 3 miles west of Stone in Staffordshire. Three hostels, originally built for employees of the Royal Ordnance Factory were converted for Post Office use. The buildings, named after famous admirals were:-

Beatty Hall - married quarters for the school staff.
Duncan Hall - lecture, training and practical rooms.
Howard Hall - accommodation for students and single quarters for the school staff.

Each Hall was more like a mini housing estate, such was the scale of the site.

Later Years

In September 1969, the CTS became known as the Post Office Technical Training College, POTTC.

EXIT to Main Exchange

Booklet: PA69 2/73 Post Office Telecommunications. Printed in England by The Artisan Press Ltd., Anstey, Leicester. Cover: The Television Network Switching Centre Control Room at the Post Office Tower, London.