It's quite a jump from the classroom to the hangar floor and they need time to find their feet. Give them simple jobs initially and more challenging tasks as they progress. A good minder will keep an eye on them, handing out advice, insults and grudging compliments in equal measures
steve,
You've almost just described an actual apprenticeship. But these guys already have the bits of paper required to be licenced engineers
So what happens in a line enviornment?
Remember these lads already have the bits of paper, there's no time for them to find their feet, nobody to mind them and when the snags start coming there's no simple tasks! And there will be more than just insults in equal measures.
How does a young person with a big loan for their education and in a position of great responsibility, in their first job deal with commercial pressure?
I don't really want to take away from the effort these guys and gals put in but you just can't beat a good apprenticeship.