As a manager, I would start promoting that the employee attempt to solve his own work items first, and then ask for input on a the solution they came up with ( showing *effort and initiative* ).  

There area slew of online resources to use to get them started towards a solution, and to validate his approach.  I might even suggest that he assign a SR Developer as a mentor.

The other thing I would say is if he ever wants to move up past JR, they will have to develop the traits of **initiative** and **effort to resolve your own problems** ( tasks )