tech training

i know that the subject has been brought up as far as "sure we'll hire you' but i have a kid that i brought in totally fresh to do the job. what is the advantage? he learns from me and me only how to do the job right. disadvantage, he knows nothing. here is the gist of my topic: i set up a mainboard with a P-100 , 32MB 72 pin ram , cpu fan , external cache , AT and ATX power supply , PS/2 & AT keyboard, PS/2 & Serial Mouse, 1.44MB FDD , IDE CD-Rom , 2GB WD HDD , video card , network card , sound card , SCSI card , 2GB SCSI drive , USR win modem, win98 upgrade, win 95 full version, this web site address, a list of 8 static IP addresses to chose from for the network, a win 98 boot disk and all cables rquired to do the job. i am having him build the syatem from scratch then on to another board and parts. Question: what else should i throw at him (linux is not an option i wish to teach at thi point)?

I wouldn't throw scsi at him unless it's already set up or you have the manuals for the drive...I still have trouble remember scsi id settings after almost 13 years of it.

Having him build systems is good, but you'll really want to teach him how to quickly (and accurately) troubleshoot problems. That's where you'll find out if he's got what it takes...

After he builds the system, go to troubleshooting. Mess with something, and give him a scenario - "OK, customer comes in and says XXXXXX, now fix it. Ya got an hour".
I have to train clueless Navy guys how to fix anything in 1 week, and this is not only VERY educational, but fun!

Hope this helps.

show him how to open printers and clean them. Its real easy to open most printers, and its a definate selling point as far as usefull job skills go.

At my shop, I keep all the old printers that people don't want fixed and write off.
Great way to get to know printers is to take apart the dead ones and see how they come apart and go together. Also beats learning on a customers printer what snaps when use too much force on it. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

I like to lick the photodrum <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> Just kidding. Anyways I say give the kid an A+ and a computer and a tool set.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Bracius:
<STRONG>Anyways I say give the kid an A+ and a computer and a tool set.</STRONG>

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...and he'll be qualified to work for the Future Shop. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Road Warrior, since I am ex-navy, I was wondering who you are training? Are you training IT, ET, FC or DS's? If they are IT, then I feel your pain. If it is FC's, then I will be very ashamed, even though I know the quality of FC the navy is pushing out these days rather well.

As far as training goes, you need to set up some real world tests. Use stuff that you know personally AND can prove. Try to write some questions about some of the common things you run into everyday, including easy things like a socket 370 has how many pins? Make the questions so that there is only one specific answer to make it easier to determine if the person knows or doesn't know. The questions should be written at a 3rd grade level of understanding with the standard terminology added. Multiple choice should always have a "distractor" answer to make sure the person is also able to pay attention to detail. The distractor is one that is close, but not it, definitely not it. Use a PC that is purposely messed up in some way to test him as well. Working on hardware is not the same as tackling questions written on paper. If possible, have multiple problems that do not affect each other. A good trouble shooter can recognize that the symptoms are of different problems, not related problems. I could go on and on.
BTW, di I forget to mention that I used to be an instructor for nearly 4 years?

have him call aol tech support to learn from them. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

Let him do the Hellish job for two or three month (Cleaning Fans/System, Dealing with old computers....)
Nasty...