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Making a new hire is an investment of time, money, and resources—all potentially lost if that hire does not receive proper training. During the onboarding process, it is critical for entry-level employees to receive training that not only helps them thrive in their current position, but also grow within the company. At Nocti Business Solutions (NBS), we strive to help companies build effective training programs that help the company and employee achieve mutual success.

New Hire Training Checklist

At NBS, we support employee training for all industries; manufacturing, processing, maintenance, culinary, construction, and more. Each has specific lists of material, requirements, and objectives, but what we’ve found is that the most effective training programs include the characteristics listed below. When these characteristics are used correctly, no matter the industry, the hiring company generally molds competent employees that grow within the company.

1. Set expectations

First, we have found that it is imperative to set expectations so there are no surprises for employees or employers. This includes informing employees of their responsibilities, duties, schedule, required training, shared goals, and incentives. Ultimately, this provides new hires with transparency on their new job and eliminates any opportunity for excuses.

2. Hands-on training

Next, provide as much hands-on and in-person training as possible. Obviously, this will vary from industry to industry as some jobs are more hands-on than others. In any case, doing so provides an optimal learning environment for trainees, as most people are visual learners. Additionally, managers and trainers have an opportunity to critique and provide guidance right away, instead of noticing mistakes as time goes on. 

3. Provide training material and resources

No matter how in-depth and informative any training program is, it is unlikely that a new hire will remember everything. Providing training materials and resources can help to eliminate that problem. With them,  employers provide even more visual aids and material for reference whenever necessary. Common material and resources include posters, pamphlets, brochures, and infographics. Additionally, we have noticed an immense number of companies moving training material to electronically-accessible locations like databases, websites, and even microsites.

4. Be available

Having fast access to managers, supervisors, or trainers is beneficial to both parties on many levels. First, being able to ask questions provides a quick correction or confirmation for the task at hand. Next, employees will not become overwhelmed or anxious if they’re having trouble. Lastly, it helps build trust between the trainee and the trainer. Keep in mind, positive feedback and constructive criticism are essential here. Trainers do not want trainees to avoid communicating with them or dread receiving feedback.

5. Test their knowledge

Lastly, employers will want to ensure that all training is well-received and understood. There are a few ways to do so. For group training, gamification is excellent for ensuring that everyone is adequately trained and to reward their progress. Trainers can also utilize live demonstrations, individually or in a group setting. Additionally, assessment tests identify the knowledge and skill level of employees, which is a great tactic when training any technical skills.

Why is training so important for new hires?

There are plenty of reasons why providing adequate training is essential to onboarding new employees. Think of a new employee, especially entry-level, like a newly potted plant. That plant may have every instinct to survive, but it needs proper nutrition like water and sunlight. The same goes for a new employee. They may have all of the skills and knowledge to fulfill all of their responsibilities, but they are still being introduced to a new environment which requires proper placement and nurturing. With that, new hires will grow in their current role, creating long term success for themselves and the company.

What are the benefits of having an effective training program?

  • A clear understanding of roles and responsibilities
  • Company and worker efficiency
  • Employee retention
  • Comradery within a workforce
  • All safety regulations and requirements are well-known and followed

Improve your training programs with NBS

If you’re wondering how to improve your current training program, we are here to help. We offer training consultancy for companies across all industries, developing highly effective and prosperous training programs. If you’re curious about how our NBS training consultancy works and how to use assessment testing in conjunction with your training efforts, contact us today!