Lets set the scene - FO doing his command training.
After 1st flight with training captain, debreifing starts and training captain thinks all is going well, however points out that after take off the sooner the a/p is engaged the better, gives you more time to keep an eye on instruments, freq changes etc.
Debreif after 2nd flight (with different training captain) has the opinion all is going well, however don't be so fast to engage the a/p - remember you are a pilot and an aviator, not a computer guy - fly the plane first and when all is well and established on climb out engage the a/p then.
Just before pushback with 3rd different training captain the up and coming FO asks "At what stage of the departure would you like me to engage the a/p Sir?"
3rd Training Captain reply "How in the hell do you expect to get a command if you dion't know when to engage the a/p".