Since it's my first year also mention the phrase "steep learning curve", since everything I know about the company and my job was in this year.
Again, mention that the past year was a steep learning curve, whether in that term or not, when mentioning why you haven't learned how to do this. Also qualify it: "I haven't learned how to operate machines D & E as well as I have machines A, B & C", and of course add in that this is a goal for the coming year. And rather than say "Junior Cheese is a butthead who likes toadies" perhaps mention it's because "my opportunity to learn and his/her opportunity to teach have not yet been synchronous".