Technicians - Formal Training or OJT?

General
1

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:.

2

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.

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3

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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4

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.

5

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.

7

Any formal training would have to be Gov recognized. Which I highly doubt in this case.

A unformal training for blaster maint and upgrades for those wanting to know would be about all you could do. But as TCFAN mentioned been tried before and nothing happened.

8

In order to formally train people in a skillset, the person giving the training has to have some form of accreditation and credibiity, or you may as well hang a fake Diploma in Blaster Maintenance from the University of Rangoon on the wall.

I’ve worked as a trainer in the past… in specific industries where the base skillset they already possess is relevant to the course material.

The problem with gel blasters is their mass appeal… people from all walks of life have them. Some are quite mechanically adept, some through no fault of their own don’t have the aptitude to know which direction to rotate a screwdriver in to undo a screw.

Trying to structure a training course to cater for such a diverse group would be a nightmare…

None of the above is intended as a slight or criticism of the industry as it is, btw.

9

Pragmatically the only real alt in this case would be merely posting tutorials online.

The only downside would be to the chagrin of vendors who are concerned by losing revenue to customers who could potentially do the same job (or if not better) - esp for the more elementary/routine jobs.

Customer: “I have a leaking gas mag”

Unscrupulous money bags vendor:
30 seconds or less spent tightening valve/screw = “That’s just $25 thankyou” :wave::fu::man_facepalming:

10

Yeah the whole “minimum charge”… seen that before. 2 min hopup install, gas mag seal repair of just lube and screw/valve tightened … etc. $30 minimum charge.

I get they are running a business… but it is poor value for the customer and won’t make for repeat customer once they find out how easy it is if they do go about it themselves.

I’ve had a lot of requests for basic service advice stuff over the last few months, so might do a few videos soon… I personally don’t care if a potential customer does something themselves rather than dump it on my bench as I am all about encouraging the sharing of knowledge within the community over making a quick buck. Joys of running an after hours passion project vs an actual business.

That and thanks to the government changing laws I’m making a solid loss this year anyway so on that note fuck it in for a penny in for a pound! Lucky I’ve got my normal job!

Sadly if we can’t get imports going again soon there will only be people like me as having a shop just won’t be viable… and that sucks hard. I don’t want the hobby and sport to be so underground we never see new players, more meat for the grinder is always better!

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11

The grubberment parasites knew that the best way to kill off the industry slowly was by targeting the vendor’s staple - AEGs.

When stock bottlenecks naturally demand and $$$ will see exponential increases - some going out with a bang before :door: close.

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12

We are already starting to see a few price increases from a few vendors. iHobby have ceased supply of certain models to vendors at B2B rates… they can still buy them but at the same price the rest of the average Joe’s can so that will in turn bump prices across the board.

Currently a lot are saying that there should be stock until Christmas time but the usual gift buying time might see the end of it- and there will be not alot to be excited about as everything will be proper old news by then.

If everyone can keep the pressure on any senator and MP that will take an email, any member that supports the hobby will win votes from our niche community. We need recognition and support from those that are meant to represent us. Even if it is a long battle until change of government we all get on board the goal together we have some hope.

13

Personally have no faith in the poli-ticks aspect - esp Feds (including PHONey). Writing or petitioning (pleading to our masters I call it) is merely a lost cause, esp considering they are solely intent on steamrolling these laws out on the back of false pretexts regardless of objection.

Some claim that my view is a ‘cop out’, but I’ve had enough experiences (both personally and anecdotal) in challenging issues only to meet the inevitable blackpill conclusions.

14

While I don’t disagree in principle with that, I concur with Rok.

Fight for the hobby, there’s a possibility of a favourable outcome for the hobbyists, even if slim.

Roll over and just let it happen, guarantees a favourable outcome for the politicians who are intent on putting the kybosh on it.

No guts, no glory!

15

They take a mile, and give you back a few inches

16

A real issue is that the poli’s don’t have the bandwidth or the analytical background to effectively question the bureaucrats pushing their agenda. The WA labor party has been lobbying for years for the firearms laws that were pushed in the hate legislation. This was part of a deal that had been in place for a while but couldn’t get across the line because there was no trigger. Other poli’s accepted the legislation because it “worked” in WA.

Unless you’re a minister, a politician has limited chance of getting support for any new or changed legislation that hasn’t been bought by a bureaucrat

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17

Don’t forget the buying power from lobbyists and special interest groups. Just look at USA with AIPAC who practically own and run Congress.

18

A positive attitude towards the issue will go a lot further towards the hobby continuing rather than laying down and dying, so to speak

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19

I tend to lean towards being a realist, and not an optimist generally these days.

20

Consider the extremes, of the swinging pendulum of possibility…

One extreme… Pauline Hanson for PM.

  • Airsoft unbanned, country hats for everyone, everyone gets a Bob Katter Ak-47, when they visit the Gold Coast…!! :crazy_face: :rofl:

Other extreme…

  • Apart from rifle/pistol/shotgun models… no new models arriving.
    A pain in the ass, will reduce wide public appeal…but… ( count your blessings)

Gel will still be legal in QLD. Unlike other states.
We can keep what we have. Other states have nothing.
We can import parts, gearboxes and accessories from O/seas.

a pain in the butt, but not the end of the world.
At least we can still have, what we own…and the 2nd market is still there.

Gel may retract somewhat into a specialist hobby…but thats better than nothing…

Of course…keep pushing for improvements…