[Ian Rochester]

I was talking to someone in the pub last night and he mentioned that he has just taken on an apprentice for his business and that I should look into it for the carpet and window cleaning.

So that's what I've done and the more I've looked into it the more appealing it looks.  I have sent off for some more information and I was just wondering if anyone has already done this or looked into it?

[PaulKing]

bloody nightmare getting a god one, and at 16-17 years old finding van insurance for them is a problem.

rather sopend teh time with someone just abit older that may stick around.

After saying that maybe you could find a good one, all I know was that I was a terrible employee, and a liability at 16 and 17, I crash all three of the company vans within a year,  and around 18,19 was inclinced to listen and not total vans if it got me my beer money!

[markpowell]

Be careful who you are training, in a few years time they could put you under, there is enough competition already without giving yourself extra.

[Ian Rochester]

Paul,

After meeting you at the show.........I can well believe it.  I

f I saw you coming for a job interview I'd lock all the doors and hide!!!

But by the sound of it you're doing very nicely now, if I was a penny behind you I'd be a very happy man!

I've got a 50yr old coming for an interview and days work tomorrow morning,  7 years experience in the window cleaning industry, (trad, wfp, cradle, harness, IPAF) on paper he looks the dogs, we shall see by tomorrow night!!

Finding cleaners is no problem, finding ones who can drive, are over 25 and actually want to work and learn, is a different matter.

[Ian Rochester]

Mark,

That is always the danger in any industry, however if you reward them correctly then they are more likely to stay, we have 9 on the books now and they are all good reliable workers who earn a good wage.

[carpetguy]

It's extremely sad to read the comments about modern teenagers, but, unfortunately it's justified in most cases.

The problem, however, has been created by the parents of these youngsters ( not the education system ) as many like to think.

Before you can have an apprentice, there has to be a recognised apprenticeship then you have to accept that your trainee, will be off half the time, at college and you will get regular visits and a fair bit of form filling.

Why not employ a trainee and make up your own training programme

[The Great One]

Hi

I am sorry but I have to disagree with the parenting comment.

As a partent I try to bring my daughter up to be respectful, polite and a free thinker (not a worker drone)

but, we are fighting a losing battle with the outside influences, yes school and friends.

It is a sad fact that you can have the model child but they can still end up either behind bars or druggies, there are enough out there that have had every opportunity only to 'get in with the wrong crowd' and once they turn 18 you can do very little to nothing about it.

Sorry, but as a parent I am tired of the issue being labelled and genralised as only the parents fault, this isn't always the case.

I have a beautiful child, I look to the future with dread sometimes, I hope I can do the best I can and give her the best start I can, but this does not guarentee a sound adult.

Regards

Martin

[Liahona]

Rob, not absolute cobblers but cobblers nevertheless.  While you may be correct in some circumstances it is way too a sweeping statement to say what you did.  Surprising coming from you to have generalised so much with a no get out clause.

Parents, sometimes.

Schooling, sometimes.

Peers, sometimes.

Themselves, sometimes.

Just one of the above, never ever.

Best, Dave.

P.S. Well said and well done Martin.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

It is always easy to blame something or someone else first I would look at me!

what can I do to make the job worth coming to.

I personally would pay them on a bonus system to reward good work and attendance and time keeping.

Shaun

[Damian]

Well said Shaun, personally i would like to see ALL civil servants on a PAP basis-Pay According to Performance!! WE do it without realising-if we make a poor job we dont get paid-simple as!!

Rant over

Damian.

[Ian Gourlay]

Both my kids came through the system Ok

Both with Degrees

Never done drugs

Drink in Moderation
 
 Maybee because like me they were a little quiet.

Maybee because Wife stayed at home and did not go to work

Probably we were lucky

But it could all change

Who Knows daughter becomes a single mum

Son decides after Phd  finnished to go to Calfornia

.

[PaulKing]

Paul,

After meeting you at the show.........I can well believe it.  I

f I saw you coming for a job interview I'd lock all the doors and hide!!!

But by the sound of it you're doing very nicely now, if I was a penny behind you I'd be a very happy man!

I've got a 50yr old coming for an interview and days work tomorrow morning,  7 years experience in the window cleaning industry, (trad, wfp, cradle, harness, IPAF) on paper he looks the dogs, we shall see by tomorrow night!!



Finding cleaners is no problem, finding ones who can drive, are over 25 and actually want to work and learn, is a different matter.

how did he turn out, sound like that was a gift that fell in your lap!

[Ian Rochester]

Well my 50 yr old never turned up!!  

Shame, as I could do with someone experienced to work full time right now.

Anyone interested?

If not I will look at taking on someone straight from school

[Phillip Mold]

These young uns, all the same, never reliable!

[John Kelly]

Ian, have you looked at New Deal. I took 2 on that scheme, both cracking guys who just needed a chance. Unfortunately had to let them go when I downsized, however Steve works for Paul now, 7 years later.

[Ian Rochester]

John,

Cheers, I'm looking into various options at the moment.......when I get time!!

Regards

[PaulKing]

Ian, have you looked at New Deal. I took 2 on that scheme, both cracking guys who just needed a chance. Unfortunately had to let them go when I downsized, however Steve works for Paul now, 7 years later.

And he's crashed one van twice this year, now has rversing sensor speaker right by the headrest, maybe it will help.

[PaulKing]

Well my 50 yr old never turned up!!  

Shame, as I could do with someone experienced to work full time right now.

Anyone interested?

If not I will look at taking on someone straight from school

just goes to show got to take everyone on merit, must admit he did sound just the job, but if he won't turn up for a interview what he going to be like for work.

[Ken Wainwright]

Just for NCCA Members

Next month, there will be an item in Newslink which is part of a series of articles from a highly respected member who just manages his business and rarely picks up a wand. I quote from his recent offering:  "Next month, I'll share with you the easiest way I've found to hire a suitable employee without spending hours filtering out all the non-starters. It really is quite ingenious!"

As Newslink is a copyrighted journal, I shan't be reproducing the article on these forums.

Another benefit of NCCA Membership.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[PaulKing]

anyone want to sell me a second hand copy?