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| Subject - new hire testing | |
| wilkie | I have been wanting to implement a basic skills test that is attached to our new applicant paperwork. I had some ideas about including maybe a couple of pages on technical multiple choice stuff, and then also including a couple of pages of customer service questions. Does anyone use a basic skills test during their pre-employment screening process, and may we see it? Is anyone interested in developing one together? |
| mahlere | Jamie, When I get into my office next week, I will grab a copy of a simple test that we use for our Resi Guys. It's not incredibly technical, however it hits the points that I think our resi guys need to know. In addition, we have a training area in our warehouse. Nothing fancy, framed wall with a panel and some devices. If I like an applicant, but want to make sure, I can have them do some wiring and troubleshooting in the shop. |
| SR Scott | Mike Holt and others are always offering sample test questions, maybe not a bad place to start. If I want to know if an applicant understands wiring I'll start a three way scenerio or two on some paper and let them finish. Maybe ask them if they've ever seen what effect a dropped nuetral has on a network or on a panel. I like the board idea, nice. During the first interview the following are detailed and agreed upon in writing: 1)the starting pay is low but after thirty days you will be given a raise or fired. 2) Initial tools cost $400, for the first 10 weeks $40 is witheld from each check. 3)One sick or tardy day during the first 90 days, the second on is the last one. This is harsh, but if they make it there's a health plan, retirement plan, ongoing training, a van to drive home each night, bonuses, vacation, sick days and decent pay. The three guys here are great, but everyone of them would still pass the first 90 day period with flying colors. We try to give customers an on-time company who is well-equipped with good tools and smiling workers. Makes 'em all giggly and shi*. |
| John A. Peters | A paper test is good. I also like to put a 3 inch diameter pipe on the floor and ask the newbbee to bend a saddle over it with 1/2 inch EMT. Then bend a pipe with two 90 degree bends into an upside down U so it will fit in a door way frame and stay there just by friction. I do not provide a tape measure since it can be done without one. I do provide as much pipe as he wants and a bender. |
| Alfred | Most of the contractors I've worked with require a small basic test (paper ) along with the application. Some require a pipe bending test. You might try a 5 ft piece of conduit. Require a 90,a 45, another 45, and a 30, all degree bends. A small company I worked for in the 90's did this using a coke bottle for the 45's. this way you know if they will be able to master the basics. Some the guys that tried this never did get it! Thanks Alfred Johnson 
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| sparkie2170 | I think it would be more interesting if you had them do a saddle over the 1/2" with the 3"!! |
| Alfred | Most techs can deal with more than 1/2 inch conduit. Alot of mechanics can bend just about anything you want. The hard part is remembering the different take ups. With practice, its like riding a bicycle. Thanks Alfred Johnson 
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| Russell120 | Alfred: I love an optimist. I worked for a large contractor a few years ago (6-7) that abandoned testing before I even arrived. Why? They would give a 20 question test of: How many degrees of bends are you allowed in a conduit run? What is the take-up on 90 degree bend on a 3/4" bender? What is the decimal equivalent of 1/4. It was a multi-guess test. They would go whole months before anyone could answer more then 4 out of 20 questions correctly. They gave up. |
| stedder | Russell, that's just a sad look on the passing grades allowed in todays schools, and the idea that is being instilled that (you can do / be any thing you want)
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| wilkie | I appreciatte all the response. |
| JimmyDee | quote: To add credence to this statement, I want to express some of the things I learned when I started teaching electrical work in a high school voc ed setting, 7 years ago. (1)60% is passing. (2)50% of this passing grade can be earned by just showing up to class. It is based on attendance and attitude. (3)OBD (Outcome Based Education) says that if given enough time, any student can be taught anything and they move forward with programs that push special needs students into such programs like electrical, HVAC, construction and auto mechanics. The real important thing is, are we helping to improve the students self-esteem. (4)Many special ed counselors I had to deal with thought the only thing an electrician needed to know is "how to drill holes in boards and pull wire through these holes." The real sad part of this is, I feel that when these kids went out to get jobs, they and their parents were lead to believe they would be able to do electrical work and in reality, became frustrated because their careers lasted less than a week. Money and training spent that could have had that student trained in something they could have succeeded in. Unfortunately, you as an employer will get these students and figure you have someone trained in the basics. I wished the counselors could have been in my office the following fall after a summer of frustration and see the results of a kid they pushed into training that was over the heads of their student. It created many gut wrenching moments seeing a kid crying because no one would hire him. OBD sucks and is a highly destructive force in todays society. Don't expect to discusses OBD with any school administrator because they are all in denial about it but it permeates the education system of today. [/rant] Jim |
| stedder | Thanks for puttin' better words around my thoughts exactly JD.
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