The process of recruiting and training new employees can be both time-consuming and costly. You want to make sure that you not only attract and retain the right team members, but also provide effective training to ensure that the work is done correctly.
Fortunately, quality employee training doesn’t have to be expensive. We asked a panel of Forbes Human Resources Council members to share their top successful training initiatives that won’t break the bank. Here's what they had to say.
1. Recorded Video Training Sessions
People learn differently, and while videos don't replace the value gained from face-to-face training, they can help fill a gap. It is now cheap to film, store and share these videos. They can be used by people who start in between training sessions, reducing the frequency that they run. They are also a good way people can revisit the content and top up their knowledge. - Karla Reffold, BeecherMadden
2. Field Trips
A great way for new employees to learn about what the company does is to see the product or service in action. Whether that is a trip out to an oil field or a hospital laboratory, new employees often learn more about the company and its people on well-guided experiences. Just make sure to select a tour guide who is passionate about the company and what they do. Their enthusiasm will be infectious. - Jennifer Dill, Data Innovations LLC
3. LinkedIn Learning
Online self-paced learning is a great way to get a new hire trained, and LinkedIn Learning is a low-cost, effective way of training a new hire. Structure a course schedule for your new hire, and once they have taken the courses, you will see the badges on their profile. Be sure and let your new hire know you will build time into their day for training. The training is interactive and effective. - Cat Graham, Cheer Partners
4. Training From Vendors
Companies carry a number of insurance policies from employer practices to workers compensation. Insurance brokers usually offer free training. For example, most workers comp policies will have free training, if you request it. It helps them ensure the company is in compliance, and also illustrates the business takes the insurance policy seriously and they will have the most updated information. - Patricia Sharkey, Sharkey HR Advisors
5. Learning Communities
Learning communities add such amazing value to an employee's learning experience. It doesn't cost anything to set up learning communities or cohorts that meet regularly to discuss a topic or teach each other something new. It can also be free or low cost to create online learning communities for employees to share information. - Lotus Buckner, NCH
6. Job Shadowing
Having the new employees sit in on meetings and shadow the expert has worked very well for us. This approach has the new employee understand the business processes, the challenges and real-time problem solving. They do it a few times and are able to relate to different situations faster and solve problems by themselves. - Abhijeet Narvekar, The FerVID Group
7. Lunch And Learns
I've had success with implementing lunch and learn events. Lunch and learn participants bring their own lunches, and one person from the organization will share information with other departments on a project, product or program they are implementing. This has been a huge help in breaking down silos and encourages learning and engagement with other departments. - Greg Furstner, SkillPath
8. Team Teaching
As a part of staff meetings, I designate a team member to teach on an aspect of their job, which allows the team member to demonstrate their subject matter expertise and it cross-trains the team. I also invite experts from other departments to teach about areas that impact the business such as finance, marketing and compliance. This trains employees about the business and future job opportunities. - Bridgette Wilder, Wilder HR Management & EEO Consulting
9. Online Training With A Team Buddy
We’ve built an online training platform to enable new hires to quickly and effectively get up to speed with organizational purpose, strategy, culture and product. We then assign a team buddy to take the new hire through office routines and social activities. This method runs smoothly and automates parts of onboarding, which saves time and money, yet helps the new hire feel welcomed and enabled. - Anne Iversen, TimeXtender
10. Face-To-Face Executive Meetings
Face-to-face meetings with executives are effective when hiring high potentials and critical roles. The executive tells the story of their department and strategy, in person or via phone. This is valuable exposure and only costs the time of the leader (who generally is more than willing to make the connection) and gives insight to the new hire about the big picture of the business. - Jessica Delorenzo, Kimball Electronics Inc
