Hi Amanda,
You have a good point, he would be thrown to the wolves. I would only recommend a nationwide title company for someone who has had some prior experience in the title field unles he was ONLY retrieving a deed copy or a mortgage and they gave him the book and page number.
One mistake by the new abstractor can put a bad taste in a title companies mouth and it may keep him from getting new realiable clients. I have title companies call me all of the time that have gotten my name from other title companies. It will be throwing him to the wolves and I don't think that the experience he gets will be a good experience. If he works for a title company, he will
1) be covered by their e&o and
2) be able to ask those questions that we would never ask a title company if he were not working for them directly.
That would be like me asking LFC how do I know what deed was the current one without not knowing how to figure that out on my own. Most title companies are looking for a good resume, as well.