Prediction of Trades Apprentices' Performance on Job Sample

A criterion-related validation was conducted to assess the validity of 4 aptitude tests and 5 tests of content taken directly from job tasks in predicting job sample performance of apprentices in 8 skilled trades. The sample included 275 males and 31 females participating in a journey-level apprenticeship training program at a large manufacturing firm. A battery of tests was administered to applicants in group sessions. The results indicate large validities in the prediction of performance on a series of job samples using both commercially available tests and tests designed using job content as test items. It was felt that the task performance measures were more reflective of actual job performance than of mastery of material presented in training. Thus, the results were compared to previous research using job proficiency as the criterion. The results support the use of both test batteries available in this study. It was shown that the 2 batteries evidenced almost parallel relationships with the criterion measures used.