[pianotech] apprentice

[Paul McCloud]

You might want to read Wim Blee's book on the subject of business in our profession.  I think that Randy Potter has a book on taking on an apprentice.  I took a class from RAndy on the subject, which was quite good.  Basically, you want to get compensated for your teaching, and the apprentice needs to be compensated too.  The thing is, he won't have the skills right away, but gradually he will.  For a certain job, say keytop replacement, you show him/her what to do and monitor their work.  The job pays X amount of dollars, and you keep that while he/she learns the process.  After so many keytop jobs, you see that you aren't needed for close supervision, so you begin to ramp up the compensation for that job.  While they are under your supervision, you still get compensated, and the apprentice effectively "pays" you out of the reduced salary or payment for the work done.  
Anyway, I'm sure you'll get some good suggestions here.  Good luck.
Paul McCloud
San Diego

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hubbs" <donhubbs at mwt.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 8:28:37 AM
Subject: [pianotech] apprentice




I am getting older (63) and think I have enough business now to add an apprentice, but I am not sure how best to find someone. I have always been a one-man operation in a rural area and so I have had to learn to do whatever came along for work. 



Does anyone have a suggestion for how to solicit for someone strong enough to do the lifting, smooth enough to sell the tunings, young and poor enough to need the work, good with case repair and touch-up, willing to live in rural Wisconsin, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, etc.? 



On the plus side, I have a steady business, shop space, tools and equipment, patience, and a willingness to train someone. 



Thanks for your suggestions. 



Don Hubbs 

donhubbs at mwt.net