frankly there are so many broker who know not what they do and couldn't help if they tried.  I think an agent needs more 3 years active license status (which it is in my state) to become a broker.  I'd love to see 50 transactions on top of the 3 years. Experience is a good teacher, time is not.

My first Broker insisted on a mentor for new agents.  He accompanied me to my first listing appointments, he accompanied me to my first offer presentation.

Your idea has merit!

That's an idea but, oftentimes the broker they are with hasn't sold a lot of real estate in recent months. To me, it's not about a timeline but, RECENT sales and a good number of them.

I've seen agents bragging about having been in the business for ____ number of years - typically 20+. They rarely ever sell any real estate and are oftentimes some of the worst agents to have on the other side of a transaction - even worse than newbies! They think they know it all and they are more dangerous to their clients than the rookies. At least a good deal of the time, rookies will ask questions!!

The public should NOT suffer from lack of training, education, knowledge, or experience, yet we know it happens. 

In the brokerage, where I first started, the managing broker was very hands-on with new agents, and readily accessible.

But, depending on the situation (the agents, personalities, etc...) that could be a very viable option.

my wife, who is a broker, when taking on agents oversees what they do all the time and makes sure they are doing it right and mentors new agents. That's what all brokerages should be like.  But some are people/fee collectors with no regard for buyers or sellers.

Ha!  My former broker attempted to mentor his last 6 new agents.  They hadn't one closing between them and all failed miserably and left the business.  When I began, it was a sink or swim situation with me completely on my own and I succeeded more so than the seasoned ones that were there before me.  It all depends on what the new agent brings to the party.  Up here our real estate school is very thorough and leaves nothing to chance other than choosing the right fit of broker.

I definitely think it is a good idea for new agents to have a mentor for at least the first 6 months if not longer depending on the agent. Instead of being thrown in to sink or swim. How many professions out there hire you without any real training!

Yes.  This is where starting with a boutique agency can be beneficial, because you can get direct support from the Broker.  When I got back in, in 2015, I had my Broker accompany me on my first few listing presentations and buyer showings, just to be safe.

The public will always suffer as long as many of them work with the lowest bidder.

I generally pick these up after they expire.

In Colorado, the first two years, a broker MUST oversee everything a new agent does.  Showing homes, listing homes, closings, all!

We require mentors on your first 3 transactions at Big Block Realty for all newly licensed agents.

I talk to new agents all the time about what broker they chose, why they chose that one, etc.  Nearly everyone who is starting says they are most interested in training.  When they chose XYZ Realty and I ask them why, very often they say because they had the lowest fees or higher commission.  

There are brokers who provide training, mentoring, etc.  But new agents choose to go to the company that does not provide training.  Sometimes people promise training and don't deliver.  But other times, they say, "We have a library of videos."  Then the new agent is upset that they don't have a mentor.  Um, that's on the new agent.  They told you that they only offer a library of videos.  If you wanted mentoring, go to someone who offers mentoring.

Again, I know that brokers overpromise and underdeliver, but we can't ignore that the new agent is choosing to go with the lowest bidder.

Been a fan of mentoring for over 40 years!

Case by case. Many brokers don't care, and from what I've seen, many "mentors" shouldn't be mentors. Agents can only depend on themselves to seek out and attend the training they need.

I know several brokers who ALWAYS require it. Co list with the broker, they do ALL the on the job training, broker gets the production awards and agent gets paid . . . everyone happy.

I am amused but not amazed by how many first year agents already have consent orders (they got spanked by the DRE and it's public record) and they ALL have 'hands off' brokers OR are on a huge 'team' where the team leader's getting the production awards but providing NO mentoring! Those orders don't expire or age out, either. The public can look online and see the agent's transgression and punishment and for what. 

I agree with the value of a mentor-model and think it should be for a certain number of transactions; not time frame.  

I don't believe the public should have to suffer the consequences of an inexperienced agent.  I believe doing the business -- actual transactions -- and learning how to communicate with all parties involved for 2-3 years or even having a minimum number of CLOSED DEALS brings experience that time and books do not give.  That is, of course, in my humble opinion.  I can't actually say that sharing my deal with another broker or mentor is actually going to build the experience -- but it will be costly. The school of hard knocks can be the place of higher learning.

The brokerage firm I work for did have a training and a mentoring process where the first 7 transactions were co-worked with an experienced agent.

I believe it is a requirement for most brokers to have a mentor during first few transactions. 

All I can think about now is the movie "Training Day" ; )

I don't think any company or Broker of record would or should allow an unexperienced person put them in legal liability.  It should be mandated that a new agent has someone working with them for at least the first three transaction and first two listings.

I think it's a great idea but who wants a 'shadow' on each transaction? Not me! Besides you are not getting paid for it. That is what management is for & they no longer want to nurture newbies.