The program is rooted in practicality. Assign each new worker to a specific trainer, someone who already works for you and has expertise in the particular area where the new hire will work. Ideally, the trainer is someone who is ready to move up and will be training his replacement. Let your shop foremen know that any direction given to the new hire should be channeled through the trainer if possible. It may not always be possible, but the more closely this rule is adhered to the better.
Few things are as confusing or frustrating to a new employee as having too many bosses.
Once the ground rules are spelled out, let your new team get to work, and you, the owner, must also steer clear. But beyond that, stay out of the way and watch the good things happen. And happen they will. For one thing, the trainer will retain a certain sense of accountability for the quality of work produced by the new employee. The practice also gives the new hire a resource person who knows the job inside and out, someone he will feel comfortable about approaching with questions any time, whether it is next week, next month or next year.