I've come across similar situations with the same outcomes.
Now, I take a different approach. Instead of asking around for a volunteer, I'll just find an intern (the first one I come across), and if they are not working on anything, then I just assign them the project. So typically (not always), I don't give them much of a choice. Of course, I don't assign an intern or co-op something that I know is too much for them, or is too critical or urgent. For the project, I point out and show them the things that I
know they are not going to know, ask him/her if they have any questions, then just let them go and figure it out. I don't do too much hand-holding. My thought is that they are engineering co-ops now, and no longer just kids. Let them work it out on their own. I find this approach benefits both them and myself and the company. It challenges them to work it out on their own and teaches them from the start that there isn't always going to be someone there to lean on, and they are going to have to figure things out, especially as an engineer. It also benefits me in being able to gauge the co-op's abilities, what they are good at or what they are not good at, and where they may need additional help or training in. I also let them know that if they ever get too stuck on something, come and find me and ask, and we'll work it out together. Don't just keep banging your head on the wall in frustration.
I have a PLC programming training tutorial that I created, that I have all co-ops go through when they get assigned to my department for the semester. Even if the co-op might be a Mechanical Engineering student, makes absolutely no difference to me. I still have them go through my PLC programming tutorial just the same, and I also assign them simple wiring projects using an electrical print. I've had at least one say, "But....but......but, I'm going for mechanical engineering, not EE or CS." Then, I just reply back, "Mmmm....that's nice". Then give them the programming or electrical wiring task anyway.
This allows the fresh co-op and University student to better understand if what they are majoring in really is a good fit for them, or if they might be more interested in something else.
When it comes to fresh hires, the one thing that I often have to deal with in them is pride and ego, which is a huge peeve of mine. Check your pride and egos at the door!! I don't care how you did it where you used to work, or how you learned it. I'm going to teach you how we do it here! They are also usually the typical "I know" person. The one that every time you try to show them something or tell them something, they respond with "I know", sometimes before you're even finished with the sentence. No, you don't know!!! Now shut up, pay attention, and listen!!! I don't say that to them, but I'm certainly thinking it sometimes.
Here's a good one for you:
Last machine build, I pull in a fresh hired "experienced" skilled trades guy to help with a panel build. I need square hole cutouts on either side of the panel to fit the cooling and exhaust fans in. I proceed to show him how I want it done and the tools I want him to use to do it. Before I can even finish two sentences, he's like, "I know how to do it!", even though I'm already aware that he's never built an machine panel before. So I just turn away, roll my eyes and let him go with how he "knows" how to do it. I come back an hour later to check progress and I see him out there hacking the holy s--- out of the side of this brand spanking new panel with a little die grinder and of all things......a G'dam Sawz-All!!!
So don't be an "I know" person. Never say "I know", even if you do know.
