Exactly, tapping is probably the most important job you will do all year. Used to be, you'd hire a few high school kids to get it done. We only have our more experienced and more skilled guys tapping. And we take a 1\2 day inside each year and do training. A 1\2 day 1st day in the woods watching everyone and making sure they get it right.
If we have lesser skilled employees, they install spouts for a faster more experienced tapper (we use new spouts each year so every dropline needs a new spout installed) They work directly ahead of the tapper, not weeks or days ahead, a few lines ahead maybe. Two benefits, one, if the snow is deep, the tapper gets a trail broke for him, two, the tapper can go much faster even if the snow is good. Think of it this way, you have one good tapper and he can drill 400 good holes in a day. Your friends 16 year old son comes in and he could drill 250, maybe 400 but they aren't good holes, makes mistakes. Now have jimmy put spouts on, and your 400 good holes goes up to 700 and they're all good. More quality taps per employee.