How to Develop an Effective New Hire Training Program
Training is an essential tool for new employees. While hiring the best candidate can help ensure a smooth transition onto your team, the company’s responsibility is to provide new hires with the information and access the employee needs to feel welcomed, understand their role, and jump in with enthusiasm and confidence. If you need to update your new hire training program, the following tips can help you determine the most effective methods for bringing out the best in your employees.
Ask Existing Employees What Should Be Included
One of the first steps in developing a new hire training program is to consult with current employees. To start, pinpoint excellent employees in similar positions as the new hire. Then, ask those employees what skills and knowledge they believe the new employee needs to perform their tasks. Finally, have them evaluate their training. Your employees may be able to help you identify gaps in your current plan that they experienced during training. Ask them what they wish they knew sooner.
Make Training Flexible, Task-Oriented, and Ongoing
These three qualities are essential for dynamic training programs:
- Customized training for each employee. All training plans should cover the basics of work at your company and incorporate unique elements for every hire based on their professional experience. For instance, if an employee has extensive experience with the software you use, you don’t need to spend as much time training them on that program.
- Incorporate task-oriented training. Instead of scheduling fixed-time training, have task-oriented training where each item needs to be completed to a specific standard before moving on.
- Make training an ongoing process. Training should remain ongoing with regular check-ins to ensure new employees feel comfortable and understand their duties.
Encourage Training at the Team Level
Many training programs only offer basic expectations and administrative information. However, incorporating team-based training can help your new hires get up to speed a little faster and assimilate into the company culture. Team-level training in your new hire program can help new employees:
- Understand their team’s workflow
- Recognize the reporting hierarchy
- Meet other team members
- Learn the metrics used to track team productivity
Accommodate Your New Hire’s Preferred Learning Method
People learn differently, so your new hire training program should be able to adapt to various learning styles for maximum effectiveness. The three main learning styles are visual, hands-on, and reading.
Not every aspect of training can be altered to move between these styles, but when you have a chance to provide your employee with training that will engage them most, it can be most beneficial.
Promote Good Leaders and Involve Them in Training
When promoting or hiring new managerial staff, consider which candidates may best guide and coach new employees. Then, involve them in developing your new hire training program. Having the right leaders introduce your company to new hires can be a wonderful way to ensure that new employees feel comfortable and knowledgeable in their new role from day one.
Contact Lewis-Price & Associates Inc. Today
Lewis-Price & Associates, Inc., is a fast-growing mission solutions company supporting federal agencies through premiere training, program management and IT services. Serving federal agencies across the government spectrum, from defense to civilian, we ensure the success of ongoing federal agency operations through effective curriculum development, professional coaching, program management, and administrative and technical services. Lewis-Price is committed to providing high-quality, effective and on-time solutions to partners and customers through a team that values integrity, intention, and excellence in everything we do. Learn about how we can bring our unique approach to success to your organization today at lewisprice.com, and please follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.