Learning and development process for Wooden Door Makers: pressing by feel, now written down
Press operators and frame carpenters learn by feel, and good ones are hard to replace. A written method and a second person on each step protects quality when the best hands are away.
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Share your requirementsWhy learning and development process matters in wooden door makers
A good press operator knows the glue, the time and the stacking for each door type without a chart. New operators copy him, and when he goes on leave, doors are pressed too fast or from damp stock. Sanders and polishers learn to judge finish by eye with no sample board. Fitters go to site with a toolbox and a quick tip from a senior.
Good looks like a one page method per door type, with glue, press time and stacking written by the senior operator. A second person is trained on each step and signed off by watching. Sanders and polishers learn against sample boards, and fitters have a short briefing and feedback after each job.
How to set it up
1. Ask the senior to describe the method
For each door type, note glue, spread, press time, temperature and stacking, while a junior writes it.
2. Pair and sign off
A second operator presses under the senior's eye for a set run of doors, and is signed off after a clean run.
3. Make sample boards
Create a board for each grade of sanding and polish so trainees see the standard. Keep them where the work is done.
4. Brief door fitters
Teach measuring, fitting, protecting floors and talking to customers, then give feedback after each job. See learning and development process.
5. Review quarterly
Look at what each trainee can do alone and what to teach next. Keep it on one sheet where the supervisor can reach it.
Check these first
Before changing anything, find out what is true today. These take an afternoon and use your own records.
- Ask your senior press operator who else can run the press and how well.
- Check whether press methods are written for each door type.
- Count how many sanders and polishers have a sample board to judge against.
- Look at the last three fitting complaints and see who did the work.
GullyHR can do this with you. Read how we approach learning and development process in general, or share your requirements and we will tell you where to start.
Questions owners ask
Ask him to describe it while a junior writes, and credit him as the author. Many seniors are happy to teach when their skill is respected and rewarded.
It depends on the person and door types. We would look at your door range and set stages, so a person moves forward when they can run a batch alone.
A short induction in the factory on tools, safety and customer manners helps, with feedback after each site job. Some learning is only possible on site, so pair new fitters with an experienced one.