Trumpy-
I'll assume I'm one of "you guys" and respond.
Yes, I have trained several people. And started training several people that didn't make it.
Some of the failures may well have been my own fault as I'm not going to use kid gloves on the basics like:
Show up on time every day.
If you are sick leaving a message on the office machine at 3 in the morning is not enough. We want to speak to you, not hear a message.
Be sober,rested and ready to work.
Understand the basic relationship between supervisor and trainee. (This seems to a problem with the OP's trainee)
Try hard every day. Your not expected to keep up the pace yet because you still have a lot to learn, but you are expected to try your hardest.
Have the basic tools with you every day.
Respect the schedule. If for any reason your not going to be able to work give us plenty of notice so we can schedule around that. Don't come in and tell us that you have a court date tomorrow.
If these basics are not met you won't be working here long.
As far as the "slap" comment I was speaking metaphorically.
I live in California, the lawyer capitol of the world. Even if I wanted to lay a hand on a trainee I wouldn't be stupid enough do do it.
I'm not promoting tough guy posturing or abuse and never would I call somebody stupid, even if they were.
I'm only saying that not clearly understanding that the supervisor is the guy who will say who does what and when is a failure to grasp one of the basics outlined above.
And also to point out that a good example is one of the best training tools you can use. I had a guy once tell me that his former foreman didn't wear a tool belt. He walked around with a screwdriver in his pocket and did as little as possible. Not very inspirational if you ask me. And that was what my guy aspired to achieve!!!
That said, re-read my post. I stand behind every word of it.
