Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the need for, and development of, further education and practical training for recruits into industry. Design/methodology/approach: The paper discusses how, at the time of writing, many firms were developing and operating training schemes for industrial personnel. Firms benefit themselves from training individuals, and this also raises the levels of skill and experience throughout industry, enabling British industry to compete on a global scale. Findings: The paper outlines developments in industrial training schemes, and suggests that whereas once, personnel progressed from being craft apprentices through to being technologists, supervisors and technicians, now it is possible to train specifically in these areas. Group Training Schemes and local and county technological colleges are beginning to offer industrial training, as well as general education related to vocational interests. Senior industrial representatives need to work with technical colleges to establish a partnership and to ensure that courses are oriented towards the needs and developments of industry. Originality/value: The paper provides useful information on training in British industry in the 1950s. [This article was first published in "Technical Education," Volume 1 Issue 1 (1958/1959), and is being republished as part of a Special Issue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the journal, which is now called "Education + Training."]