This sector roundup explores how E-learning can be used in the onboarding process. According to Henry Ford, if you give a workman the best, he will reward you.
“The kind of workman who gives the business the best that is in him, is the best kind of workman a business can have.”
In other words, staff will give as much as they know so the organisation should train them well from the start.
From on the job training to onboarding through e-learning
Once upon a time… When you started a new job, the method in which you were taught about your role was mainly through ,“on the job” training. This often led to a lack of connection between the new employee and the company and a lack of knowledge of how the company runs, and what was expected of the employee. In turn, this could lead to the new employee feeling bored and frustrated.
Bored and frustrated members of staff leads to them leaving the company, thus costing the company, as it now needs to re-advertise, train, etc.
But times are changing... E-Learning is now being used as part of the onboarding process. Most employees know whether they will stay with a company within the first six months of them starting a job. So the goal within that six month window is to make them feel fully onboard in terms of the company’s culture, goals, ambitions and where they fit in as a person. To do this, you need to train them effectively and efficiently and more and more companies are using e-learning as part of their onboarding process.
This article, Top 3 online best practices for new hire orientation, by Heera Edwin gives great advice on how to get your new staff off on the right foot.
Onboarding with E-learning
The onboarding process can incorporate blended learning. This is a mixture of face to face training and E-learning. The article, 6 tips to use blended learning for onboarding, by Christopher Pappas offers valuable advice:
- Start right away
- Use your face-to-face and online training accordingly
- Take advantage of blended learning to accommodate different learning needs
- Involve your current staff in both online and offline activities
- Make onboarding training an ongoing process
- Ask for feedback upon completion of the onboarding process
Through blended learning, new employees get to know the company, the other employees and feel welcome (face to face training) whilst getting support and ongoing training through E-learning at the same time.
Mobile learning for onboarding
There are many benefits of using mobile learning for onboarding. This infographic by William Carey K, shows 5 ways organisations can benefit from mobile learning.
This article by Jayme Jenkins, 6 mobile learning benefits: the mobile learning revolution also digs into a range of benefits.
Mobile learning is becoming more popular. It gives employees the freedom to learn 24/7 at a time that best suits them. Onboarding can be incorporated into mobile learning and therefore not interrupt their daily routines. If there is something they are unfamiliar with they can easily refer back to the information on their ipad, phone or laptop.
Conclusion
What is very clear is that using E-learning for onboarding makes for happier well trained staff from the start. This has multiple benefits for organisations including reduced costs and developing a valuable team.
Up and coming E-Learning events in Europe
CIPD Learning & Development Show
Olympia, 10-11th May
One of Europe’s most important events for Learning and Development professionals. It is the place to find out about the latest developments and thinking in Learning and Development. Find out more.
11th International Conference of E-Learning
Lisbon Portugal, 20th-22nd July
Aims to address the main issues of concern within E-Learning, covering both technical and non-technical aspects of e-Learning. Find out more.
Learning Technologies Summer Forum & Conference
Olympia, 13th June 2017
450 of the learning and skills group most active community members and learning technologies conference delegates. Find out more.
World of Learning Conference and Exhibition
NEC Birmingham, 17th October
Covering all aspects of Learning and Development, featuring the latest ideas, technology and services. Find out more.
E-Learning quotes for inspiration
“Our age of anxiety is, in great part, the result of trying to do todays jobs with yesterdays tools.”
“By putting the employee first, the customer effectively comes first by default, and in the end, the shareholder comes first by default as well.”
“Employee loyalty begins with employer loyalty. Your employees should know that if they do the job they were hired to do with a reasonable amount of competence and efficiency, you will support them.”
“Employee engagement is the emotional commitment the employee has to the organisation and its goals.”
