Tag Archives: Newbie

Veteran operators training newbie

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Construction industry has more workforce of experienced and old employees who will retire in some years. Hence, there will be need to employ the newbie or beginners. These newcomers are less demanding, are less expensive, and enthusiastic about their work. However, it is often seen that the work is not so easy for them. The different demands and challenges of work especially while moving heavy construction machines and using heavy equipment are stressful for them. Even if they are given an opportunity to operate a machine or heavy equipment, there is a probability of mishap or accidents to occur which can be dangerous. As the new workers lack the necessary skills required for job, they need to be trained.

 

Effective job training is required for superior productivity. Imparting training to these beginners means companies have to invest money on their training. There is no guarantee for how long these beginners will work with the same organization. Maybe in a year or two they will leave if they get a good opportunity. Thus, the money invested in training is of no use and does not give anything in return. However, taking into account the dangers of the job, if the unskilled person performs the job, then it can cost a life too. It is well known that the best training comes from the veterans- the old and experienced people on the job. A lot of veterans participate as mentor in this type of training.

 

Veteran operators in construction industry are those who have served this industry from a very long time and are still actively employed. However, they are left with less years of active service. Veterans have plenty of skills and have an understanding of teamwork, discipline and personal accountability. They are passionate and serious about their job. They possess technical skills and training which are directly transferable to the job. Thus, they are highly competent and excellent employees. There is better transfer of knowledge and skills from veterans to beginners. They teach troubleshooting, safety and skills of a job, so that the new operators can manage with ease the demands of a job. In addition, they allow them to be contacted if the need arises.

 

Although having a newcomer can be refreshing, yet the veterans can face certain challenges while training them. They are not aware of the new hires work ability, and motivation to do a job. Further they have to spend time answering their questions, show them how the work has to be done and settle them in this job. They do not know to what extent the beginner will grasp the knowledge and how long it will take to fully train him. Veteran operator spends his valuable time and knowledge in training, thus requires a positive feedback. It is necessary that the beginner should take interest and put best of the efforts to learn the nuances of job from such experienced mentors. This knowledge will be always helpful in the future and will enable him to perform his work with passion and ease under stressful conditions.

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Veteran operators should act as role models to the newbie

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It is absolutely important for the tenured men to become role models for the new guys who would be taking over the work from them. You be a part of any industry but you need the experienced guys to teach you their work. You may have studied in the best of the institutions but having a hands-on knowledge is way too important than the bookish knowledge you have been imparted from your institution. Getting a degree from a college does not make you an expert. It is perhaps years of experience that comes into picture to become an expert in the field you are in. Therefore it is important to learn the tricks of the trade from a veteran of the industry who will impart you the knowledge which no institution can ever offer you.

Similarly, in the construction sector the work of an operator is considered to quite vital and when there are new recruits joining a construction company, it becomes the onus of the tenured operators to train them. They may have the technical knowledge but when it comes to practical training they will need your help. The new entrants coming straight from college aspiring to become ace operators have big dreams and it is your responsibility to give wings to their dreams. Help them in every possible manner you can. You become their teacher and apply every possible method to ensure that they do well on the jobsite.

Train them on understanding signals on jobsites:-

Comprehending signals is very crucial for an operator to perform in a construction site. He needs to read the signals well and understand what it means and accordingly move the machine. If he fails to understand it incorrectly, it may lead to a disaster. The veterans should ensure that the newbie learn to comprehend the signals and move the machine accordingly. Understanding the signals becomes all the more important in rugged terrain and bad weather conditions. Heavy equipment are required to work irrespective of the terrain and the operators are expected to work in that not so convenient condition. In such a situation, signals play a significant role for the operators to perform. The tenured operators should therefore offer their experience to the new guys and help them overcome any problem that they encounter on the ground.

Fix heavy equipment during breakdowns:-

Heavy equipment if breaks down during the course of work will result in no work on that day. This will lead to loss to the company. Heavy equipment usually give signs before completely breaking down and one can understand those signs only if they have worked on machines for years. The veterans can play a big role in understanding the state of the machine and can thus impart it to the recruits. When the machine is showing signs of breaking down, the veterans can point out the issue to the newbie and show how that can be fixed. In case if it requires involvement of an expert, the same should be explained to him.

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Newbie should remain open to advice

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When you are new to something, you should better be open to learn anything and everything that comes your way. This means that you should be ready to take advices from people. Well, this does not imply that you should be following them irrespective you find them to be right or wrong. Being a part of the construction industry, you will come across many people who will give you advice on many things. Out of them some may work and many will not. However, listening to them will cost you nothing and therefore keep your ears open. The only exception is when you hear someone speaking things that do not make any sense to you; you should try and avoid such men. There are many legal hassles that one has to go through when they kick start their construction business for which you need to know the right person to approach. Let say you need help of a good attorney but you do not know any. This is when you reach out to people who can help you find a good attorney who will advise you on legal matters.

Not all advice come free. Like in above example where you are required to take some legal advices from an attorney. The attorney will for sure charge you fees for his services and that will not be free. Now what needs to be noted is how worthy is the attorney to you. If you see that his advice works for you, then you can continue to stick with him or else you got to look for someone else.

One of the most crucial departments where you require regular advice from people is buying or renting of heavy equipment. Since being new to the industry, you often require help of guys who are a bit tenured and who understand the criticality of this industry. Right from acquiring a project to determining the number of workers you need for the work, you need a person to guide you throughout. Picking up the right set of heavy equipment is quite important. You may not know accurately which machine can be used for what purpose. You may know that an excavator can be used for excavating work but you may not know that changing its accessories will allow it to do much more than just excavating. This is perhaps where you need expert advices so that you can make the right selection.

Taking the right move in the construction industry is also important because any wrong step can lead you to a lot of hassles. For instance, you can’t construct anything on a land that has lien on it. There are many legal hiccups that you may have to encounter. Also where the title is not clear and you step into build something there. There are chances that on one fine morning you may get a notice from a title holder. Therefore before you take up any new work, you again need to take advice from people so that you do not end up into troubled waters.