What I've learned is that if you find someone honest, hard working who can learn from others and his own mistakes, it may be worth fostering that relationship.

What I've learned is that if you find someone honest, hard working who can learn from others and his own mistakes, it may be worth fostering that relationship. Today it is him that needs this; tomorrow it might be you not knowing what to do in a technical situation and having to learn. What this does mean is you being clear with him about where you think he stands and guiding him along. If he is a learner(which is a prerequisite to making this work), you'll get a nice high once you see his growth on a regular basis. It is a whole different thing if you and him are on a differen page about what is considered good work and bad work. But if you are on the same page and you both trust he can catch up, I'd give it a serious thought given you state that he has a good heart and is hard working(you'd be amazed how many highly skilled people are neither; it's hard to get everything in one person from the outset).