When there is a new hire, it is an excellent idea for experienced employees to introduce new ones to the working environment. But according to the management.about.com website, another very effective way to offer new staff some kind of familiarisation with their new colleagues and organisation is new employee orientation training.
Costs that pay off
Yes, there may be some costs involved but these are not usually prohibitively high. And if you traditionally have a high turnover, the sum might become an acceptable expense. A typical counter-argument is that the school system should train the people who want to work for you. Another argument is that it is the responsibility of the new hire themselves: they want the job, so they should learn whatever they need to be productive in it.
If, however, you support your new hires with proper training, they will be more productive and feel better in their position. The result may then be lower turnover. And how about the claim that the school system is the main issue? Well, believing that school will prepare perfect and flawless workers is illusory: training on the job is needed and can bring you major returns on your investment.
Independent departments and corporate universities
Some experts even recommend setting up a separate team of workers who will deal only with training. In many companies, training is still a part of the HR department but this may not be the most effective set-up. Managers responsible for training should show their value by presenting their department and activities as a source of significant savings and not just costs.
Many giant corporations have established their own internal universities. This shows how corporations take the training and education of their own employees very seriously. Successful companies and managers are aware of the value and benefits a well-educated and constantly developing staff bring to them and their shareholders.
How does employee training look like in your company? What are your best practices and what should be improved?
-jk-