By Chris Eckl Learning Research and Development Corp. is trying to a new twist in the training the unemployed. It emphasizes men’s attitudes and not just their manual skills.

“The motivational material used helps persons to get the right answers the first time,” said Dan Brand, executive director. “It’s a great boost for anyone defeated by the traditional educational system.”

“The men are shown they can learn. They are shown -- they show themselves -- they have talent and the ability to succeed. And they are succeeding,” he said.

How does the program work? Nine men are presently undergoing training for 2 weeks at the small office at Georgia Avenue and McDaniel Street on how to become a more effective person and employee.

They come to class a half day and work a half day at Lamex Plastics, which trains the men to do a particular job. The training is being done under a Department of Labor contract.

“Plant owners have said the big difference between these men and others they have trained is motivation,” Brand said. “Their attitude, the confidence they have in themselves, has increased plant morale.”

“These men appreciate their own value and their place in the American dream. They look at themselves as individuals and as members of society,” Brand said.

The training emphasizes reading, writing and arithmetic, but comprehension and oral communication are strongly stressed.

In a recent class, Brand gave an outline on listening. He said thinking is the difference between hearing and listening and anyone must think to a job properly.

“If you want to learn a job and improve you have to think about what a supervisor says,” Brand told the group. “Don’t cheat yourself by simply listening to him and not really hearing what he says.”

The lesson also stressed proper expression and attitudes, the necessity for self respect and respect of fellow employees and supervisors.

Though motivation and self-respect is emphasized strongly, practical learning is not overlooked in the training.

Brand said the company uses the best educational material available. “The idea for this type of training came from Robert Deaton. We think we have pulled the best educational materials into a tighter package to offer more comprehensive training.

“The length of the program can vary, and we can also train persons to do a particular job,” Brand added.

He pointed out that companies interested in hiring the unemployed and training them can receive federal assistance.

“A company has to be interested in its community to help train the unemployed, but if the men are motivated along with their training, they will give the company superior work.”