Looking For A Test

AllPro_Painting

I have a 2yr. aprintice . and im looking for a writin test to give him .so i can tell how much he really knows about the trade.
it seems that he has his head up his ,, and stoped learning..
any ideas?

Brushslingers

My ideas -

So what? He has no desire to move up... if hes a good painter, does what he is supposed to and shows up for work... let him be, just don't give him a raise.

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Benn

AllPro_Painting

Thank you for the thought... but iv already gave him about 60 days to prov. his self and other ppl {new hires}is passing him,,, and he clames he doesnt understand, but he is a good painter,, but he supose to learn the whole trade not a part of it.... only thing i can think of is to fire him or lay him off,,,,,,,,,,,,, the only thing is keeping him on my crew is becouse i think he Knows more than he thinks,,, and i dont need to fire him,,,,,,i just need to wake his knolge up a bit,,,, you just cant slap a paint brush on the wall for a hour and call yourself a painter


thats why im looking for a test.

Brushslingers

Gotcha... interesting, guy is like 20? 22? Sounds like he needs a "heart to heart" over a couple beers instead of a written test. I have a policy, we have a company meeting once a month, ALL new hires stand in the middle of the circle after new business talk and get rated... my slingers turn thier backs on the ones that call themselves "painters" and.. well... that's it.

Far as written tests? The union used to have a "test" they would give out.. have no idea if they still do, I let that lapse years ago but.. you could check with them. Or just drill him on things and then dunk him... like "What's two part epoxy?", when he says uhhhhh... make him read the VOC specs.. etc. Good luck, if he's a good painter he may be worth the effort, but ultimately, it's up to you.

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Benn

AllPro_Painting

good idea,,, i was in the union for a bit there,,, thats it woke me up there for a while,,,uknow,,, but i think your way might be a bit better,,
VOC specs. might work..abit,, thx,,,,,,,,,,,,yeah he is about 22 yrs old


ill try it next week, i hope it works

AAPaint

Here's a trick that helped me when I was new, and it's something I still do to this day. Require him to read and understand the label on every product he uses. Then, just drill him every now and then about the products, their application, uses, mil thickness, dry time, recoat time, etc, etc. You don't even have to let them know you're testing their knowledge, ask like you don't know the answer. Heck, do it with ALL of your guys. You'll be surprised how smart they can become just off a paint can label. Better yet, if you get a coating systems catalog from your supplier like I do, copy the specs for each product they are using on a project and have them learn the specs. SW's product spec catalog even has proper prep methods outlined in the front of it you could use as well.

I don't have employees right now aside from some part time help....when we go full time, this system will be in place.

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-AAPaint

AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
Jacksonville Painters
Jacksonville, FL.