[jwholden]

You have a new member on your crew who must be trained a task that he as never done before. I'll say planting a 3G shrub for simplicity.

How do you do go about training your new crewmember this task?

Hint: I'm looking for methods used in of training. I know we can all plant the shrub.

Unproductive comments of others training methods will not be tolerated in this thread.

[Busy Bee]

Does the new crew member have any experience in landscaping practices? He may need to be brought up to speed with some educational books and manuals. Do you have anyone that can take this lad under his wing? OJT is the best training for anyone.

[dan deutekom]

With any training I feel that a formalized On The Job training is best. Have him shown how to do the job, give the reasons for doing it the way that it is done, have him do it under supervision until he gets it right and then about a week later test him.

You could also have a handout for the more complicated tasks involving things like equipment operation or pruning etc. These he can study from if required. (give him time to do so...because generally it won't happen on their on time)

[Inspired]

I used to have so many Mexican guys that didn't speak any english and really had no desire to learn it. Formalized training would have to be in spanish and frankly I wasn't aware of any. That may not be the case anymore.

I started my company from just myself and I personally trained every employee I hired the first year and a half. It's a lot like trying to teach your son to mow the lawn.

Once I grew a little, I used to place the new guy with someone experienced in the task I needed him to learn. Then give him some time to learn it, maybe a week depending on the task.

After the week (or however long) I'd check with my experienced guy about the new guys progress. Then I'd ask the new guy some questions myself to make sure he understands why we do it (whatever IT is) a certain way. Then later I'd check his work while I was on site checking the job progress.

The first time they fly alone they sometimes screw it up so I'd try to be on the job site to watch over the situation. Thats just part of the learning process in my opinion. Not a bad reflection on the learner.

The other way I've done this is to turn it over to my foreman and make him responsible for the guys progress. If you have a good foreman who is capable and on-board attitude wise, this can be a better way time wise for you. I'm sort of a micro manager though, so I'd be checking his work anyway.

Hope that helps,
Bill

[jwholden]

Excellent answers so far.

Please keep them coming.

[treedoc1]

They are side by side with me, one plant over and mimic everything I do, all movements, tools, amendments, removing tags, pruning off broken branches.

We do it again, one more time, side by side.

I step out of the process and supervise.

I find this is the best way because it also reinforces the rest of the experienced crew on how I want it done...a mini refresher course for all.

This process works well for laying block, stone, etc.

wasn't there an old saying that when you tell someone how to do it it will happen 10%, show them how 30%, do it with them 50%, repeat and practice 75%......