Musical Instrument Repairer onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: RPT, NAPBIRT training (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: tuning hammers; electronic tuners; dent tools; pad tools
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Musical Instrument Repairer training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Use torches safely
Ventilate finishes
Handle tools carefully
Lift pianos with help
Shadow an experienced musical instrument repairer through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: tune a piano by ear and tuner
Supervised practice: replace a woodwind pad
Supervised practice: set up an electric guitar
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Tune pianos: independently
Repair brass and woodwinds: independently
Set up guitars: independently
Replace pads and strings: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, RPT)
Discuss the career path: Apprentice → Repair Technician → Master Technician
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Tune a Piano by Ear and Tuner
Replace a Woodwind Pad
Set Up an Electric Guitar
Piano tuning
Brass and woodwind repair
Guitar setup
Woodworking

How to measure onboarding success

Time to first independent project
Revision rounds per project
On-time delivery rate
90-day retention

How Musical Instrument Repairer training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Musical Instrument Repairer Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Musical Instrument Repairer Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Musical Instrument Repairer Career
Final Knowledge Check

Get team pricing

Musical Instrument Repairer Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)