The Importance of Onboarding and Training New Employees

How a company conducts new employee training and orientation can influence how long a staff member stays and can have a significant impact on their work ethic. The future of a business must ensure their team is properly trained, and that procedures and practices are done correctly. 

Before establishing tips for a smooth new hiring process, it’s essential to differentiate between onboarding, orientation, and training. The onboarding process begins the first time a prospect is contacted, whereas orientation and training are processes included throughout the onboarding process. An employee’s orientation is typically held the first day or week an employee starts. Training continues throughout the tenure of the position as needed. 

Employee retention truly begins before the new hire is selected. Before hiring, it is crucial to evaluate the goals for the position and ensure the job posting articulates them accurately. New hires need a clear idea of what they are signing up for when they accept a position. If these goals and job duties are clear from the start, they will know immediately what is expected of them. 

An established and immediate training process gives an incoming team member a positive mindset about the company. There is a strong correlation between proper orientation and staff retention rates. According to Gallup, “only 12% of employees strongly agree that their organization does a great job onboarding new employees.” 

Research conducted by Brandon Hall Group found that businesses with an impactful onboarding process can improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%.  

Orientation lays a sound foundation for an employee’s future within a company. Without proper training, an employee will not feel comfortable in their position. This means they will take longer to grow and progress within their role. 

Training from the start also decreases the need for constant supervision. A properly trained employee is more likely to work confidently and independently. With a solid orientation, an employee is less likely to make mistakes that could affect their work and the company’s security and reputation. 

Although an onboarding and orientation process should be catered to specific company needs, there are strategies many businesses find helpful.  

• Mentorship Program: Creating a mentorship program between senior and new employees encourages support, reassurance, and socialization. Ultimately, this helps both the senior and new employees create a solid support system to grow in their careers.
• 30/60/90: Many businesses utilize this type of onboarding plan. 30/60/90-day training consists of goals the company sets for the employee surrounding their first 90 days with measurable targets at 30 and 60 days. This helps new hires understand the company’s expectations.
• Team Bonding: When new staff starts, holding a company lunch or bonding activity can help them get accustomed to the culture and allows other employees to get to know the new team member.

These are just a few strategies to introduce new hires to the company. A business could adopt many other company-specific alternatives to encourage a robust onboarding process. 

Continuous training provides crucial skills and information that helps employees better understand where they fit and why they are vital members. Successful businesses constantly adapt their culture to suit the industry. As a company evolves, the employees should too. 

If all employees are trained, the workplace will continue to grow and thrive as the company evolves. This creates a positive work environment that encourages productivity and makes employees feel valued. 

Regardless of what position an employee holds, training is a fundamental aspect of the hiring process. It improves employee knowledge and skills, leading to a more effective team.  

“When employees were satisfied with organizational culture, 77% of them were 

 likely to stay with their employer, versus 24% with lower satisfaction.” -Forbes 

No matter what specific orientation or training a business adopts for new hires, it’s essential to encourage employees to constantly learn and grow within their position from their first day forward.