Trainees receive an employee manual and written job description. During the second training phase, the new employee gets several days of hands-on instruction from the department supervisor. Each training session covers one of the responsibilities listed in the job description. A few days lapse between the intense teaching sessions so trainees can absorb and practice their new skills. Supervisors check off a list of skills after the new employee is deemed competent to perform the tasks without supervision.
Quarterly evaluations point out weak spots and praise strengths.
When technician Christian Blair had been with us for a year, she seemed to be floundering a bit. Instead of watching her gradually fade, we've seen her rejuvenate and become an excellent technician. Chris even shares performance feedback when firing a staff member, a long and difficult process. I don't want to be wrong, so I may give people five or six chances. Then I finally give up.