Craftsmen and apprentices.
WHAT ROLES TYPICALLY EXIST
Machinists Bench joiners and assemblers Sanders and finishers Installers Upholsterers, where offered
WHAT TO ASSESS BEFORE HIRING
What they can actually do Their standard of work, seen Machine competence
HOW TO ASSESS
A practical test producing an actual component.
WHY
Claimed experience and demonstrated ability differ substantially.
WHAT TO TRAIN
Machine safety, before anything else Your standards Measuring and marking accuracy Finishing technique
WHY SAFETY FIRST
An untrained operator is a danger to themselves and others.
WHAT APPRENTICE ARRANGEMENTS INVOLVE
Training in exchange for work, over a period.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH IN WRITING
Duration, what is taught, what is paid, what happens at the end.
WHY IN WRITING
These arrangements produce disputes and they are common in this trade.
WHAT TO ENSURE
That they are genuinely being taught.
WHAT PROGRESSION SHOULD LOOK LIKE
Observing, assisting, performing supervised, performing alone, teaching.
WHAT PAYMENT STRUCTURES EXIST
Fixed wage Payment per piece or per job
WHAT PIECE PAYMENT RISKS
Quality sacrificed for speed, and safety shortcuts.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT
Inspect before payment, and make rework unpaid.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
Sharp tools and working machines.
WHY
Blunt tools produce poor work and they are dangerous.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT TOOLS
Who provides them, who maintains them, how losses are handled.
WHAT DRIVES RETENTION
Correct and timely pay Machines and tools that work Respect Learning
WHAT TO MEASURE
Output, rework and material waste by person.
