Vocational Training

The 1917 Smith-Hughes Act, also known as the National Vocational Education Act, gave federal funds to states to support job training in business and industry, agriculture, and home economics. This new funding and emphasis on trade education encouraged more students to enter educational programs that made them skilled laborers who qualified for higher paying jobs. In 1920s Elmira, students had several options for vocational training. The Elmira Business Institute trained male and female students for secretarial and other office jobs.  Women also attended the St. Joseph’s Nursing School and the Arnot Ogden Nursing School to become trained as a certified nurses. Nursing students took general science courses and also received practical experience treating patients at the hospitals.