OJT is only as good as the person providing the training. Trade schools offer a standard even if it just rudimentary in structure.
The follow on to OJT (or trade school) has to have a structure or it is worthless. Hence the caveat emptor tag is (or should be) regarded with every tradesman hired without suitable references.
Business licensing does very little in providing or ensuring standards and measures of competence.
What can you, the consumer do? Network. Look for indices of expertise. Rate workmanship online.
I’ve been burned once, and upped the ante in the practice of due diligence in selection of experienced professionals or masters in the trades I employ. There are quality tradesmen out there, and there are quality tradesmen who cut corners, and there are plenty of drive by shysters to go around. Be diligent and pay attention to references. It pays to do so.
Dear clutch,
MY OJT, as i related it, was in a military setting. You had your training from apprentice to specialist to supervisor. You also had evaluations that you had to pass, with a preferred score, as a minimum, which also weighed on your performance report.
I would expect no less, in the private sector.
One of the high schools in the town where i graduated HAD an entire high school term as a trade cirriculum, in which you learned a trade, and served your apprenticeship, as well, as the state required classes for high school.