$50, 000, 000 Spent by Ort on Vocational Training During 15 Years

Educational and economic services were provided to over 300, 000 persons in 25 countries by ORT during the past 15 years, according to a report published here today. The report covers the agency’s vocational training activities among Jews in need or distress during the period since the end of World War II.

The cost of all ORT programs during the past decade and a half is given as $50, 184, 000. The major portion of this expenditure was met by American Jewish philanthropic contributions allocated by the Joint Distribution Committee, out of campaign income of the United Jewish Appeal, and by membership dues of Women’s American ORT and other groups here.

However, in recent years, governments and communities in the countries of ORT operation have been contributing increasing sums. Last year more than half the ORT budget was met outside the U.S. The governments of France and Italy, each granted subventions to ORT schools of between 75 and 80 percent of their local cost. ORT trade schools and related vocational services enrolled 38, 731 persons last year, and the number is expected to exceed 40, 000 during 1960.

There were 663 vocational schools, apprenticeship projects, courses for refugees and training workshops in the international ORT system during 1959. Current operations are conducted in 19 countries. Over 70 different trades are included in the various courses of study. This program is characterized in the report as “the largest non-governmental program of vocational training in the world.”