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In recent years, relatively little has appeared in print about Skills Analysis Training (SAT). Although there have been passing references in training periodicals and references to some of the principles incorporated in analytical training there has been almost no discussion of the topic. In the current decade three books have been published on analytical skills training, but these are based on experience gained in the 1960's. Yet, as recently as 1973 a survey of the use of instructional techniques in industrial training carried out by Middlesex Polytechnic showed that SAT was more widely used in skills training than any other method.

The post‐war years have witnessed an ever‐increasing recognition of the importance of a high level of productivity. This country's economic and financial position, and the growing competition from Germany and Japan, continue to emphasise the need for increased productivity here at home; while at the same time the reports of the Anglo‐American productivity teams, so ably summarised by Graham Hutton (‘We Too Can Prosper’), indicate the extent to which we still lag behind the United States.

Correlli Burnett's fascinating article THE HUNDRED YEAR SICKNESS (p 235) has opened another chapter in the long discussion on why are we in such a mess. This country's prosperity is always just round the corner. ‘You never had it so good’ is either yesterday's jam or tomorrow's; never today's. The Briton, like mankind in Pope's Essay finds always that ‘Man never is, but always to be blessed’ Rightly, the author points out that the inadequacy of U K wealth production has persisted for a long time — much longer than the 30 post war years — and he gives a valuable historical outline of our economic and technological shortcomings over the past 150 years. These are linked with British social distinctions, eg the cloth cap image of the working class, in council house estates, and the social bias of upper class education ‘away from the realities of an industrialised world.’ (p 241).

THE present economic climate is forcing everybody to be cost conscious. Such staggering sums are being poured out for defence needs, with their unpleasant corollary of high taxation, that the smallest gleam of light is welcomed amid the encircling gloom.

DURING some comments on the brain drain last month it was remarked that work study technologists stood on the periphery. Suddenly they have been moved right to the centre as the result of a communication from Dr. Robert N. Lehrer. He is among the six American work study experts best known to the profession in this country, ranking with Barnes and Mundel as having contributed much to a right appreciation of the subject's value and its techniques.

INDUSTRY and the economy are, as we well know, in a parlous state in Great Britain at present. Since a three‐day working week is the normal condition to‐day one may be accused of a wry sense of humour if one mentions productivity. Clearly the nation's ontput is far less than it could be. Why, then, stress the need for still more productivity under such conditions ?

EVIDENCE of the importance which automation is assuming comes from the Institution of Production Engineers, who announce that they will hold a National Conference in Margate from 16th to 19th June, 1955, when it is proposed to examine the implications of the automatic factory, and to promote discussion on the technical, sociological and managerial problems involved. The impact on smaller factories will be particularly considered.

THE luncheon given by the Lord Mayor, Sir Ralph Perring, to more than 700 guests at Guildhall on November 14, officially launched the country on National Productivity Year. Apart from representatives of the 120 local committees these were people from trade and employers' associations, trades unions, professional bodies and research organisations. It was, in effect, a token mobilisation of Britain's industrial might, because behind it stands a large army devoted to the task of increasing the country's output.

There can be few who will regret the departure of 1966. As he makes his way towards that dim hall where the years are supposed to sit on their granite columns there will be few sighs at the parting. The year has been ‘a holy terror’ to almost everybody. Contraction has been its forte and uncertainty its foible. There have been severe restraints on enterprise, the crushing of many hopes and an air of apathy verging on despair. Future historians may well describe contemporary events as taking place ‘in the year of the Freeze’, much as it was once common to say ‘in the year of the French Revolution’.

IN the middle of a January afternoon an audience which packed the National Film Theatre was held in thrall by a film. These people drawn from Government departments, trade unions, employers, technical colleges and local productivity committees were not wasting precious time watching the miming of famous film stars.