I Want to Be An Engineer

Youth training and apprenticeships at Laurence, Scott & Electromotors, Norwich

The film begins with images of the practical use of electricity. There are shots of electricity at work in industry. These show an electric train, the Haven Bridge at Yarmouth closing its leaves, cranes at Ipswich docks and electricity pylons. There are images of electricity in domestic use. Shots show radios, kettles and electric fires. Other scenes show electric machines at work in factories. These link with the main subject of the film; the apprenticeship system at Laurence, Scott & Electromotors, Norwich, founded in 1883 by W. H. Scott. There are shots of the interior and exterior of the Laurence, Scott & Electromotors works whilst the commentary explains the apprenticeship scheme. We see many of the apprentices at work on various tasks in the factory. They are usually supervised by skilled artisans. The film gives the Christian name of the apprentice and the school from which they joined the company. They come from many schools in Norwich as well as throughout the County. There are apprentices from Lowestoft, Kings Lynn, Dereham, Wymondham, Sheringham, Loddon and Melton Constable. The majority joined Laurence, Scott & Electromotors from Secondary Modern Schools, although some joined from technical colleges or, in one case, a junior technical school. Three apprentices work as turners, learning to use a lathe and learning to use cutting tools. Another builds a commutator whilst others learn to fit windings. The film shows how able apprentices, even if not particularly experienced, are given more demanding jobs and more responsibility quickly. Another apprentice works as a fitter, assembling the motor once the component parts are complete. This motor, for the Cliff Quay Power Station at Ipswich, is tested and then dispatched. There are shots of the power station and of the docks before showing the 850 hp motor in situ. The film shows a brief shot of Thorpe Road. At the second Laurence, Scott & Electromotors plant at Thorpe Road, apprentices are shown learning about the light engineering side of the company's work. Apprentices build component parts and then help to assemble them. A tea break shows the apprentices being served tea from an urn on the factory floor, before another apprentice is shown making precision instruments. The third Laurence, Scott & Electromotors plant shown is the foundry at Foundry Bridge at the end of Prince of Wales Road. Here, an apprentice helps to build a pattern for casting a ship's cargo winch. Molten iron is poured into the pattern from an overhead crane. The casting is lifted when cool and the apprentice knocks out the core and tidies the casting. In the machine shop the apprentices assist in planning, turning, boring and drilling. The commentary stresses that apprentices are encouraged to stay with the firm. Two apprentices assemble an electric winch that will be used on board the Cunard White Star Company's liner, 'Queen Elizabeth'. The commentary explains that Laurence, Scott & Electromotors offer the chance to do on-site maintenance. There is a shot of the 'Queen Elizabeth' at Southampton docks with the winches at work. The next sequence shows the educational side of the apprenticeship system. Students enter the Norwich Technical College. There are scenes from the classroom and the workshop. The commentary explains that military service is deferred to allow apprentices to complete the apprenticeship. Some apprentices are shown at work in the design office. The last part of the film emphasises the benefits of working for Laurence, Scott & Electromotors. The activities at the Social Club shown include football teams, cricket teams and other sports. There is a motoring club and a photographic club. There are subsidised I Want To Be An Engineer. canteens and medical staff on site. The film ends with the leaves of a calendar turning to show some of the different aspects of Laurence, Scott & Electromotors.

Featured Buildings

Cliff Quay Power Station, Ipswich; Laurence, Scott & Electromotors Works, Hardy Road, Thorpe Road and Foundry Bridge, Norwich.Norwich Technical College; Haven Bridge, Yarmouth

Other Places

Ipswich; Norwich; Southampton; Yarmouth

Background Information

Laurence, Scott and Electromotors was founded in 1883 and was a pioneer in the field of electric motors, generators and allied equipment for industry. As well as the Norwich factories, they had a factory in Manchester. A pamphlet published by the company in 1947 advertises 20-30 places a year for five year apprenticeships in a variety of fields. These included, Fitter-machinists, Armature winders, sheet metal workers, electricians, pattern makers and foundrymen. There were also engineering apprentices. They were recruited at seventeen years of age and were required to have passed the School Certificate. This film concentrates on the craft courses and national certificate courses. Laurence, Scott and Electromotors also ran course in association with the University of London leading to a B.Sc.Eng.The film speaks of Laurence, Scott And Electromotors employing 'thousands' of people. The company's entry in the 1992 - 1993 Norfolk Industrial Directory listed Laurence, Scott and Electromotors as employing 1020 people. The Laurence, Scott and Electromotors entry in 'Major Employers In Norwich' 1995 - 1996 lists them as employing 478 people. Their entry in the 'Business Register' for 1997 lists them as employing 500 people and making a profit of ?5.8 m.The Laurence, Scott & Electromotors football team was called 'Gothic,' after the Gothic Works, and played in the Eastern Counties League