There have been some good responses from the younger generation about being given a chance and remembering the person who gave that chance. I have been involved in hiring for over 20 years (as the boss) and have taken chances on many a youngster. I have found that in most cases, the "moms kid" to be lazy and overly protected, however this is not always the case. Some kids I've hired seemed to be loosers at first but a few have come thru, went on to college and made something of themselves. You often wonder if they would have done that without a little nudge? IMO, keep the kid...if he's made it for 2 months, you may have a winner. Just be as matter-of-fact about the expectations, give a little slack when he screws up and don't make him a perminent gopher. Youngsters will usually show you (thru their work) the best pace they can work at and still concentrate. It's different for each one. The best reward is introducing him to a customer who's vehicle or part he has been involved with and say " (his name) took part in this". This to the kid is better than the pay check (for the moment). You deserve a thumbs up IMO.
I do believe a few folks didn't read to the end of the chapter in this book. Sounds like you've done a hell of a job for the kid. As someone who was a farm kid growing up, I did whatever was asked and did my best. I slacked sometimes and I did try to spank the bosses daughter once but in the end, I didn't turn out too bad. I learned a ton and still respect the man who took the chance on me then. I'd love to get my boys into a shop even for the weekends or summers to learn a few things. Courtland can weld better than I can and Eli can organize like a freak. I suspect they'd both do well in that situation and I praise you for being a father figure in what sounds like a really disfunctional environment. Still, before he brings a friend over, you need to feel them out. Sometimes the good kids are tarnished by those around them. Sometimes those around them are just plain nasty. Have a blast at Billetproof!
I may have been one of those guys that jumped too soon on this..Judging as it were.. Congratulations on it turning out to become a good thing..guess ive been bit one to many times for helping out. its good to hear that it does come out good for some.
I, for one, am glad you gave the kid a chance and he has thus far shown you that he can do the work. As for the Juvenile Diabetes, I'm glad to hear that he didn't go into a coma and pass on. Having diabetes is tough regardless of your age. I know because I suffer from it as well. And if you are a kid it is sometimes even tougher to deal with it, because you just don't want to be different then all of your friends. As for the medication thing, he'll learn and the automatic pump will really help him. If he has done good work for you in the past, keep him on. Remind him that he needs to keep at his meds so that he can be helpful to you and to himself. Sounds to me that in the long run he will work out well, and one day many years from now you will be damn proud of yourself and him for taking the time to teach and learn. Good luck, and have a great time at Billetproof. Only wish I could make it down for the event.
I had a past project car in a buddy's paint shop and he had a similar deal - a casual friend's 17 year old kid working as an apprentice to learn. The hood and trunk lid on that car had some pinholes and I found some nice, clean solid panels to replace them instead of repairing the old ones. It was fishy when I got the car back with no old panels - kid says he recycled them but I knew better. By the time I'd got ahold of my "buddy" to show him the crap work and my "repaired" panels, the kid had split, and I guess sold my panels for a fix. On top of all that shit the car was painted the wrong color, and looks like it was sanded with a brick - you can see the swirls from 5 feet away. Little shit. That dude isn't my buddy anymore either. Glad your kid looks like one of the good ones though!
It"s a CRAP SHOOT either way man . You don"t know what is in somebodys head. But every body deserves a chance BE WARE
4t64rd, Not sure if it means much, but I am a 17 y.o. as well and have been given about the same chance. I helped my parents landlord out with his utilility trailer business for quite a few years, starting when I was 13. This involved installing hitches on trucks and stuff, and he trusted me. Two years ago I was given the chance to start work at a marina. Working with the head mechanic, I learned quickly, worked hard, and gained some respent from the owner (my boss) and the 70 y.o. head mechanic whose been doing this most of his life. It is the most amazing thing in the world for a kid to have the respect of an adult. Way to go with taking a chance on a kid, because many adults (rightly so, because alot of kids just don't have a clue) would never give them that chance. Best of luck! -Gayl
I am a woodworker and did a traditional apprenticship. Someone gave me a chance when I showed a desire to learn. Giving someone a chance is a big risk to the business owner. I know, because I have my own business now and I hire/fire guys now. I appreciate the chance I was given more than I can say. The guy that took me under his wing taught me how to feed my family and do something I love. Passing the knowledge you have to someone is a noble thing and I hope I can do the same.
I once moved into a house and soon found that one of the kids that played in the lot next door had, by the age of 10, been banned from almost every property in town because he was a very accomplished thief. He was also doing cocaine and smoking pot. The next time I saw him I called him over and placed my front door key on the window ledge and told him that if he ever planned to rob me, to use the key and lock the door behind him when he had taken what he wanted. He began hanging around and liked working in the shop. He didn't care if it was de-greasing something, picking up trash or turning a wrench. I only had to show him something once. I taught him how to rewind transformers had had him build a battery charger. Later we needed an an erc welder for something. He rewound some microwave oven transformers and built an arc welder. That was twenty years ago and I still have it and it never blew a transformer. Soon he didn't have time to steal anything, he was there from the time he got out of school till it was time for bed. He quit doing drugs and eventually I started to teach him to sail. Like in the shop he learned fast. By age 12 he didn't need an engine to sail my 24 foot boat away or to the dock. He figured out how to handle sails in heavy weather despite his small size. By 14 he could handle a 40 footer like a pro and in some cases better than the owners. He also became quite adapt at navigation. I taught him the navigation of the pacific Islanders who navigated by stars, clouds and waves and never carried Charts or compasses. When he was 13 he sailed from Tampa bay Florida to the fort at the Dry Tortugas without a compass or chart. For those of you unfamiliar with the Dry Tortugas, the fort is 60 miles from Key west in the open ocean. Also by the age of 14 he had a reputation around town for his honesty, hard work and trustworthiness as well known as his reputation he had when he was 10. I met a guy the other day who started with a kid when he was about 12 helping out around his shop. He is 15 now and runs the shop until noon by himself. When I was there the kid came by to see what had to be done the next day. The guy just pointed out a couple of cars and said start on them, find out what is wrong with them and fix them. ... That was it. If you have a kid that wants to learn, Every minute you spend teaching him something, will come back to you 10 times over.
Check the cell phone and ipod at the door. Old school devotion and dedication or send em packing. 17 yr olds make good entertainment.
My son had trouble finding a job for years. Bullied out of school at 15 for being tall and skinny, he moped around the house, watched wrestling on TV and had zero self confidence. A couple of years ago a local bar gave him a chance, picking up glasses and wiping tables a couple of nights a week cause they were short staffed. He came home last night and told us he's just been made assistant manager of the whole nightclub. He's 23 years old. I just thank God someone gave him a shot at picking up glasses in a bar. Cheers, Glen.
old post , so what ever happened man? is the kid now building scoots on his own or buried out back of your shop?
Good you gave him a shot, sometimes a risk gives a good return. I hire kids when I get really busy, usually I at least know their family, so i'm fairly sure they don't have a record or are selling crack. there are some real "winners" out there. Its scary, sad really. how dumb some of these kids are. A few have wanted to argue, and I quickly showed them the door, but the kid I have now is sharp, show him once and he's got it. He gets stuff done and I dont have to redo it. My son's 10 years old, I hope someone will give him a foot in the door one day.
He helped me make my '46 presentable for the 1st FL Billetproof, and then I took a break from the car to take a class... I lost touch when I didn't call him for 10 weeks... I asked my co-worker (his stepfather's GF) about him at least once a week (I had to call her cell to get hold of him), found out he was messing up in school, not doing his homework and lying to everybody about it until it was too late to fix it. Good worker, just didn't like homework. He's OK as far as I know... Lots of drama though, lesbians, running away, insulin, girlfriend's parents, Cape Cod... too much to go into.
I recently found out that my "little helper" was involved in the theft of my car stereo last year, I'd be careful on who you let into your shop to help around the place.
Now the bad part... he's also got juvenile diabetes and a he's gotten himself a job handing out beach umbrellas at the county park beach on the weekends and. He forgot to take his insulin with him to work and tester thing, and then forgot about it all weekend. "Forgetting" to take your insulin with you, is like forgetting to breath,...it doesn't happen. Trust me , I know. Teen's with type 1 want to rebel, and act "normal" and pretend to not have this fucked up disease. Keep working with the kid, and kindly remind him to bring his insulin and tester with him, (or his pump).
I was that 17y.o. kid many years ago and the best thing my dad did for me was sent me to work for his slave driving friend. my advise is be just like any other demanding boss, cut no slack and make that person responsible for them self. treat it like any other employee and tell them like it is.
That sucks man! Sounds like the mom was shopping for a dad for him a little too late, the boyfriend/stepdad was not up the the challenge, and your small amount of "dad'ing" was not enough to swing the kid down the right path.
She shouldn't have adopted a kid... She shouldn't have gotten married to a guy... She's a flake and shouldn't be allowed her irresponsble, destructive, selfindulgences.
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