XV

THE  VOCATIONAL  VALUE  OF  TESTS
Every  industry  is  to-day  a  vocational  center.  Formerly,
■when  eac h  industry  consisted  of  only  a  small  number  and
variety  of  tasks,  only  a  limited  choice  of  work  could  be
offered  to  an  applicant  by  any  one  organization.  Now,
however,  most  industries  comprise  such  a  variety  of  work
that  a  great  range  of  choice  is  provided.  These  industries, ­
  therefore,  make  it  possible  for  workers  to  achieve
success  in  the  field  which  appeals  to  them  most  or  for
which  they  are  best  adapted.  Not  only  do  industries
offer  the  opportunity  for  choosing  and  developing  a  certain
Vocation,  but  they  frequently  make  it  their  business  to
help  applicants  and  employees  to  choose  the  right  vocation ­
  and  to  acquire  the  knowledge  and  practice  which  go
with  it.  This  is  not  done  from  a  sense  of  duty  or  charity
hut  from  a  strictly  economical  point  of  view.  The  commercial ­
  success  of  an  industry  depends  largely  upon  the
character  of  its  human  equipment,  and  the  use  to  which  it  is
Put.  In  fact,  the  importance  attributed  to-day  to  vocational ­
  selection  and  training  is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that
industries  have  recognized  its  commercial  value.  And  the
mdustries,  far  more  than  educational  and  other  institutions, ­
  are  setting  the  pace  in  its  development.  As  a  single
example  of  the  general  recognition  given  this  subject,  may
he  cited  the  National  Association  of  Corporation  Schools,
a n  association  composed  of  representatives  of  many  of  the
largest  industries  in  the  country,  which  is  devoted  to  the
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