Technicians - Formal Training or OJT?

General
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Whilst it’s rather late in the day so to speak - esp given import restrictions and the impending negative flow on effect, what’s people’s thoughts in general re: technicians being a formally accredited (or non formally 'accredited) role?

I know the term ‘technician’ is a rather casual reference in the GB world - especially as skills vary depending on the products/platforms serviced - ie routine gearbox change or hop up tuning on a $200 bing feng as opposed to a full several high end $k custom build pro job.

I know it’s :pie: in the :cloud: subject, but something my vendor brought up a couple of years ago and was intending to run small workshop ‘classes’ to test the waters before considering going down the formal rto route - Unfortunately nothing transpired and it was relegated to the :put_litter_in_its_place:.

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It is something that could be done but will anyone recognise it? Ie other retailers or people looking for a tech to do work etc.

Reputation is everything for us techs, but at the same time is nothing. Like how many times have you seen people recommend a tech at a place, then months later see that same work slagged on?

Plenty of times in my experience.

Now, things can happen. We are using mass produced garbage to try and make masterpieces. Sometimes that garbage fails unexpectedly.

The real accreditation I would say, is the honour to offer a warranty on the work you do and the parts you supply.

Personally I warranty any parts I supply and work I do, but even if something I didn’t do happens I “help out” with the cost and inconvenience of failure. Because shit happens. Nature of the beast.

I can only begin to state the amount of free hours of labour I have given purely on something that wasn’t replaced during an upgrade didn’t last the test post work stage. I didn’t know something that has never failed on me before would fail due to that one factory part was more shit than usual… again… nature of the beast.

After sales and work support is everything imo.
And letting the customer know the case before the job is key.

That said I basic course would help many newer players get into the tech side themselves I reckon is cool. I always encourage everyone to do their own work as since I enjoy they might too. Of course it isn’t for everyone so that is where I offer my services I guess.

2 Likes
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Totally agree with Rock on all points, and thought I’d add my 2 cents worth.

Getting “Accreditation” doesn’t always reflect upon the actual character and morals of the person who has gained that particular Certificate.

We have all seen certain people in this Hobby/Industry that may hold all the “knowledge and aptitude” to pass an Accreditation Test, but in reality you wouldn’t give them your Blasters if they were the last person on earth!

Word of mouth speaks volumes when it comes to actual quality workmanship, realistic pricing, customer service and follow up support/warranties.

Sure there’s people out there who do get highly recommended, but also have to realise that there’s plenty who are nothing more than relying on building a name or an image, creating a backing through social media and mates to boost their image as the latest trend/cool “name” to be associated with, whereas their actual talents are woefully bad.

These people are more interested in creating a “Brand Name/Image” that people want to be associated with rather than the quality of work that they provide.

Word of mouth should shut these people down in the short term once their “image” falls out of favour, and the people with real skills and solid reputations always prevail in the long run.

So yeah, basically I think that having a piece of paper can still work as a starting point getting into the Hobby/Industry, but doesn’t really hold any significance if that person has the wrong attitude and morals when carrying out their work, leading to word of mouth and real world abilities to come to the forefront very quickly regardless of their Certification.

40 years working in the Mechanical and Mining Industries, I’ve worked alongside hundreds of “technicians” who held a lot more “certifications” than I ever did, and yet once you get to watch them working on something, I’d be in shock thinking that I wouldn’t trust these guys working on my electric Toaster let alone anything else!:open_mouth::joy:

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Do agree it would be a beneficial service - not the full box and dice formal accreditation route, but simply as a tutorial hands on for the enthusiasts. This would work well for both the vendor and customer alike - particularly eliminating the need for unnecessary repairs/replacements due to novice customers who decide to tinker around with internals and end up Frankenstein the whole job :wastebasket:.

My vendor at one stage was offering a free hands on ‘class’ at his store once, but despite the interests from customers beforehand, nobody bothered to show up or even ring through saying they couldn’t attend. Naturally he thought :fu: to the whole deal. I said to him, if they paid ahead, then most definitely they would have changed their tack and showed up.

Yes definitely agree on after sales support and service being :key: . Unfortunately those that purely relied on brand name/image with nothing else to back it up are far too prevalent. In this day and age of Google Reviews (despite fake reviews here and there), there’s no hiding really anymore.

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Ask for a small Deposit for the Tutorial Classes and then offer a full Refund at the door on the day is always a solid way to ensure attendance.:+1:

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This was a once off thing at the time, but yes agree.