Creating competence exam for pet-store employees

[RedCrown]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place!

I work as a "nutrition advisor" for a national group of individually owned pet-supply franchises that emphasize natural foods and care.

I've been asked to come up with some sort of multiple-choice test that will be used for store employees that tests them on knowledge of products and nutrition competency. The test will have 3 "levels" for the employees to achieve at their own pace, like "bronze level certified," "silver level certified" etc. Obviously I need to start with bronze and work my way up- it will likely become mandatory for new employees to pass this exam within _____ months (or something like that ) after being hired.

I'm not quite sure where to start.. Suggestions are gladly accepted!

[Jax08]

ugh!

what not to do....
Overheard a TSC employee telling a person to give their new GSD puppy vegetable oil while they were holding a bag of TOTW.

1) What oils are best for dry skin
2) What foods are appropriate for large breed puppies (including all stage foods)
3) what supplements in the foods are really necessary. i.e. glucosomine/chondroitin.
4) What do these supplements actually do?
5) What supplements are good as a general supplement (vit c, fish oil, vit e)

The employee got very 'tense' when I spoke up and the ppl asked me what I suggested. She cut me right off and pulled them away to sell them the 4Health brand.

[acillaton]

hmmm...
Coupe of tricky ones I can think of:
1)How important are grains in dog and cats food?
2)Which grains are most important?
3)How digestive system of dog/cat breaks down fruits and vegetables?

[RedCrown]

Thank you! It's very helpful!

[Barb E]

Hey you - Check out the pictures section!!

[chelle]

The importance of calcium/phos and protein amounts in foods intended for large breed puppies. I didn't know anything about this until I came to this forum.

[MountainGSDs]

How are you going to be sure the questions and the answers are factual and based on reviewed and published scientific data and not just manufacturer propaganda?

One of my Son's works part time helping a friend with buying for his ski and snowboard store and the manufacturers give employees tests on product knowledge and if they pass they get super discounts on those products (less then wholesale) for a limited time, usually 60 days. Those tests are done on line.

[Konotashi]

The only one I can think of at the moment....

Define the difference between 'chicken' and 'chicken meal.'

[RedCrown]

All of the suggestions were great! I've got a good start now, I think. There will be multiple levels of certification eventually, but right now I'm just working on level 1, so hopefully pretty basic.

I'd love some feedback! If you're interested, Go to QuizStar Student Login and sign up. It'll ask you to register, and then search for a class. The name of the class is: NPM Franchise Nutrition. Should be pretty self-explanatory from there.

Thanks!!

[Emoore]

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Am I the only one who thinks an $8.00/hr teenager with a "silver-level" certification shouldn't be handing out advice on pet nutrition?

(I'm not talking about the OP, I'm talking about the ground-level pet store employees.)